Earthmoving Equipment Magazine December - January 2024

DECEMBER 2023 - JANUARY 2024

Clearing the air

Why Epiroc’s dust suppression solutions are critical for a healthy earthmoving industry $7.95 inc GST

CASE STUDIES:

 CATERPILLAR , CJD EQUIPMENT, KOBELCO, ALLU ®

INDUSTRY EVENTS:  BICES 2023

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 ARTICULATED DUMP TRUCKS  SUSTAINABILITY IN EARTHMOVING

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FROM THE EDITOR

Great adventures in China: (L-R), KahChi Liew, EEM; Patrick Doheny, CRE Group; Angeline Kok, Caterpillar; Darragh Masterson, CRE Group; Richard Beard, William Adams; Tom Buchanan, EEM.

Welcome Leon Cranswick Editor

As we reflect on 2023, the Australian earthmoving industry has without doubt experienced another dynamic year. Despite facing challenges, the industry has shown resilience and adaptability, and continued to demonstrate its vital role in the nation's economy.

Throughout 2023, we witnessed significant growth and development within the sector. The public sector continued to dominate the engineering and construction pipelines, providing a steady flow of projects and opportunities for the earthmoving industry. But at the same time, long delays for equipment and the ongoing skilled worker shortage have continued to push businesses harder than ever.

As we look forward to 2024, the outlook remains positive. While businesses are advised to brace for further challenges, major infrastructure pipelines and innovation in the industry provide a solid foundation for the future. We can anticipate further advancements and opportunities that not only drive the industry forward, but also contribute positively to the broader economy and society.

One example of an innovation changing the industry for the better is Epiroc’s integrated dust suppression systems for its range of hydraulic breakers. In our cover story, we hear from Epiroc’s Glenn Illingworth about the importance of removing barriers to better safety on the job site – especially as the risks of silicosis further reveal themselves across multiple industries.

Then, Earthmoving Equipment Magazine momentarily becomes Grainmoving Equipment Magazine as we check in with the long-time Volvo fans at Riordan Grain Supplies, where a huge fleet of 13 Volvo wheel loaders are doing the heavy lifting, helping the Victorian

business move vast quantities of grain from field to table.

In Melbourne’s inner west, we spend some time with El Dorado Contractors, third generation earthmovers specialising in basement excavations. Find out why their eye-catching fleet of excavators continues to gravitate towards Kobelco blue.

In Western Sydney, we find out how remediation business Enviropacific is making strides in productivity thanks to a custom Allu screening and crushing bucket supplied by QLD Rock Breakers.

Meanwhile in regional NSW, we discover how BKA Earthworx has upgraded its forestry game with a new Cat® 299D3XE Land Management package. Further north, Queensland’s Cooper Civil is also chasing innovation with the help of Cat equipment, putting a new Cat TRS10 Tiltrotator to work on a Cat 315 Next Gen Excavator.

Lastly, we look back at China’s biggest machinery expo, BICES 2023. Cat Global Operator Challenge champion Patrick Doheny (of Melbourne’s CRE Group) was there as a guest of honour, and team EEM (with one notable exception *cough cough*) was lucky enough to tag along for the ride.

As we close the book on a year of progress and innovation for our industry, there’s plenty to be optimistic about as we look ahead to 2024. Let's continue to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come our way, and keep driving the industry towards a more sustainable and prosperous future.

Happy digging!

Leon Cranswick Editor

4 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

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CONSTRUCTION & MINING EQUIPMENT EXCAVATORS | LOADERS | GRADERS | ROLLERS | MINE TRUCKS | ACCESS EQUIPMENT

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CONTENTS

11.

On the Cover

18. Industry Auctions 22. Meet the Expert 25. Industry Leaders 31. Machine Control

25

35. Business and Finance 38. Industry Insurance 40. Technology Expert 42. Industry Training 44. Marketing & PR 46. Dealer Profile

40

57. Industry Events 62. Case Studies 96. Articulated Dump Trucks 106. Sustainability in Earthmoving 110. Innovative Products

92

136. Eye on the Industry 150. Civil Contractors Federation Queensland 151. Civil Contractors Federation Victoria

CONTRIBUTORS

152. Allied Earthmovers Association

Mark O’Donoghue Mark O’Donoghue is the CEO and founder of Finlease. Financing over $700mil p/a in equipment finance for private business owners in Civil and related industries.

A family business with a nationwide network, Finlease has a 30-year track record of establishing long term relationships with clients, finding them the best finance solutions to support their business growth. The company’s goal is to make the finance process simpler for businesses so they can focus on what they’re good at.

126

Riordan Grain Services chooses Volvo equipment.

Scott Lidster Scott is the Director of Australian Earth Training, a niche operator proficiency training organisation who work across the globe. He has over 25 years’ experience in heavy equipment operation and was an accredited Caterpillar Dealer Instructor (CDI) Trainer-Demonstrator. Scott’s unique skill set enables him to operate and train on a broad range of machines across the mining, construction, quarrying and waste industries, helping his customers to boost their productivity while lowering their owning and operating costs.

6 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

Ann Callaghan Ann has been the Manager of Allied Earthmovers Association for the past 19 years bringing many years’ experience into the role. After gaining business qualifications and managing a retail shopping centre in Sydney CBD, Ann first started her career in earthmoving when she joined the long-established family business in Penrith, which specialised in Caterpillar graders and dozers.

Working in a male-dominated industry, Ann brings a different aspect to the Association. She has met many people in the industry and knows what the owner operator needs, from the importance of paperwork to machine availability. It’s an industry she respects and is proud to be a part of.

Earthmoving Equipment Magazine is published bimonthly by Prime Creative Media Pty Ltd.

CEO John Murphy COO Christine Clancy Sales Director Bradley Buchanan Editor Leon Cranswick leon.cranswick@primecreative.com.au Brand Manager KahChi Liew kahchi.liew@primecreative.com.au 0421 474 407 Production Editor Michelle Alder michelle.alder@primecreative.com.au Art Director/Design Daz Woolley, Cat Zappia Subscriptions P. +61 3 9690 8766 subscriptions@primecreative.com.au Website www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

Copyright

ON THE COVER

DECEMBER 2023 - JANUARY 2024

Articles All articles submitted for publication become the property of the publisher. The editor reserves the right to adjust any article to conform with the magazine format.

Clearing the air

Head Office 379 Docklands Dr, Docklands VIC 3008 P: +61 3 9690 8766 enquiries@primecreative.com.au www.primecreative.com.au

Why Epiroc’s dust suppression solutions are critical for a healthy earthmoving industry $7.95 inc GST

CASE STUDIES:

 CATERPILLAR®, CJD EQUIPMENT, KOBELCO, ALLU

INDUSTRY EVENTS:  BICES 2023, DD&T 2024

Earthmoving Equipment Magazine is owned by Prime Creative Media and published by John Murphy. All material in Earthmoving Equipment Magazine is copyright and no part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical, including information and retrieval systems) without written permission of the publisher.

The editor welcomes contributions but reserves the right to accept or reject any material. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information, Prime Creative Media will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions, or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published.

The opinions expressed in Earthmoving Equipment Magazine are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by, the publisher unless otherwise stated. © Copyright Prime Creative Media, 2023

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ON THE COVER

Epiroc's tradition of innovation in construction and mining dates back to 1873.

Clearing the air Epiroc’s water spraying systems for its range of hydraulic attachments offer a variety of efficiency and productivity benefits. But, as Glenn Illingworth tells EEM, the most crucial outcome is the improved air quality they afford operators and tradespeople.

With a history stretching all the way back to 1873, and a presence in Australia since 1950, Epiroc has been a force of innovation in the construction, mining, and quarrying industries for generations.

Well known in earthmoving circles for its range of excavator attachments, including hydraulic breakers, hydraulic pulverisers, grapples, and cutters; Epiroc has always aimed not only to keep in step with trends, but be innovators for the industries it serves.

According to Epiroc Business Development Manager Glenn Illingworth, this means keeping ears to the ground, listening to customers, and understanding how businesses and best practices evolve over time. Recently, he says, the topic of dust suppression has been hot on everyone’s tongue, and it’s a topic Epiroc has taken very seriously.

“We’ve listened to our customers and recognised a need for a factory-designed dust suppression system for our attachments,” Glenn says.

“For several years now, we have designed and produced our own water spraying systems as an alternative to some of the other inefficient ad hoc solutions out there.

“In some cases, we’ve even seen customers have one of their staff stand near the operator

Epiroc's factory-designed dust suppression system for attachments were developed in response to customer needs.

www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au | EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE 11

ON THE COVER

Epiroc's systems aim to reduce the dangers of inhaling microscopic dust particles.

Glenn highlights the growing demand for dust suppression systems amid rising concerns of silicosis.

12 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

Glenn emphasises the importance of listening to customers to evolve with industry best practices.

with a hose, spraying down the work area to meet local dust restrictions, which are especially strict in built up areas.

“Obviously, this kind of solution is inefficient and costly, not to mention a safety concern.

So, by using our water spraying system, the water is focused exactly where it needs to be, and frees up that additional worker to be better utilised for more cost-effective tasks.”

Greater costs

While efficiency – and in certain regions, conservation of water – is of the utmost importance to any business, Glenn says the stakes are getting higher on a much more critical axis: worker health.

With each passing year, the dangers of inhaling microscopic dust particles are coming into clearer focus – particularly for those exposed over the course of an entire career working in harsh conditions.

A 2022 report published by Curtin University shed light on some sobering figures, predicting more than 10,000 Australians are likely to develop lung cancer as a direct result of exposure to crystalline silica dust.

Glenn says that for those in the rockbreaking and earthmoving game, reducing exposure to harmful dusts can be a very simple matter – it’s just a matter of using the right tools.

“While Epiroc has had these spray systems available for several years now, in recent times we have seen the demand increase as addressing the risks of silicosis becomes a real focus on construction sites, demolition sites, and in quarry applications,” he says.

Epiroc also extends its dust suppression solutions to drum cutters, designed for efficiency in tunnel cross passages.

www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au | EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE 13

ON THE COVER

It’s also nothing new for Epiroc – Glenn says the manufacturer has been refining its water spraying systems over the years, so the technology is well established.

“Of course, tunnelling operations have always had a strong need for dust suppression, given the confined spaces,” he says. “Epiroc’s SB range of hydraulic breakers have had the option to fit spray nozzles in the base of the breakers from their inception 20 years ago.”

Versatile solutions

Epiroc’s SB series of hydraulic breakers, from the SB 152 up to the SB 1102, features an integrated channel for water spraying. Included as standard, this system is designed to offer simple and effective dust suppression for a range of applications, from construction sites to demolition projects.

“SB breakers have a hose connection port also built into the breaker, adjacent to the hydraulic supply line connection,” Glenn says.

“Then there’s a dedicated internal channel that feeds the water down to the nozzles.”

“For our silent demolition range and medium and heavy hydraulic breaker range we offer retrofit kits featuring an intermediate plate that fits between the attachment and the mounting plate. These plates, which are designed and supplied by our Epiroc factory in Essen, Germany, offer the flexibility to vary the spray nozzle configuration, with eight ports and three types of nozzle options provided in the kit.”

But it doesn’t end with hydraulic breakers.

Epiroc also offers water spraying systems for the Erkat range of drum cutters.

“These are designed and produced through our Erkat factory in Dermbach, Germany,” Glenn says. “They are specially designed for our drum cutters, and comprise two water distributors with four spray nozzles in each.

These fit neatly underneath the drum cutter’s flange for the mounting plate, which keeps them protected.

“Both our breakers and drum cutters are typically used for tunnel cross passages: the breakers for the breaking out, and the drum cutters for the trimming to reduce the need for excessive concrete spraying to stabilise the cross passage. So, as is the case for our SB hydraulic breaker tunnel versions, which come with spray nozzles as standard, we also saw the need to provide a spray system for our drum cutters.”

The SB range of hydraulic breakers from Epiroc features integrated water spraying channels for effective dust control.

14 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

For more on Epiroc’s attachment range, and its water spraying systems, visit: www.epiroc.com/en-au/

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INDUSTRY AUCTIONS

The Graham Quarries Retirement Sale featured a wide range of quarry machinery.

2023: In the rear-view The Pickles team reflects on the biggest and best Pickles Industrial sales of the year.

Pickles Industrial has had a front-row seat to the rollercoaster of used market prices throughout 2023. With the economy impacting the majority of Australian businesses, Pickles has championed the way forward for companies looking to offload unused assets to recoup capital or free up funds to invest in new equipment.

While the Australian market continues to fluctuate month to month, Pickles is proud to stand steadfast in the midst of change to help vendors and buyers alike to benefit from the circulating quality used assets.

As we celebrate the end of another interesting year in the industrial sector, we’ve collated our biggest sales of 2023. Check out some of the huge — and sometimes business-saving — sales that Pickles hosted over the last year, proving for another year that we can deliver valuable services to Australian businesses, no matter the market conditions.!

biggest sales blowout with more than $8.7 million+ in total sales.

Best clearance rates:

Cleveland Freightlines Business Closure and Graham Quarries Retirement Sale Interestingly, Pickles Industrial’s 2023 auctions with the highest clearance rates were both endof-business sales. The success of both these sales was unsurprising, as both occurred early in 2023 when new asset stock was still extremely low. This meant many desperate buyers were keen to spend big to get ahold of the assets they

needed, using whatever means necessary. Both sales were held in February 2023, and all stock was sold at both sales, resulting in 100 per cent clearance rates.

The Cleveland Freightlines Business Closure sale featured a wide range of well-maintained trucks and trailers, with bidding open to anyone in Australia using Pickles Online. At the same time, the Graham Quarries Retirement Sale was also underway, with a large variety of quarry machinery — including wheel loaders, dozers, and crushing and screening machinery — all on offer.

Blowout sale of the year:

Major Transport & Logistics Fleet Realignment Sale Held at the start of 2023, the Major Transport & Logistics Fleet Re-alignment Sale consisted of four huge online auctions. The February sale featured a range of drop and double-deck curtainside, dry pan and straight deck curtainside trailers, along with a variety of prime mover trucks.

Buyers flocked in droves to bid on assets from Kenworth, Western Star, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, and Scania, all with fleet servicing, and some with replaced engines. With 40+ prime movers and 100+ trailers offered, the sale kicked the year off with a bang and resulted in becoming Industrial’s

The Major Transport & Logistics Fleet Re-alignment Sale accounted for more than $8.7 million in total sales.

18 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

Need to offload your used trucks and machinery? DIYinspect is a self-inspection app powered by Pickles. Asset owners can simply download the app, complete an in-app inspection and receive an offer to purchase equipment. Start the process anywhere, at any time.

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Pickles’ industry experts helped the End of Lease Vineyard Plant & Equipment Disposal auction clear $1.2 million.

The Cleveland Freightlines Business Closure sale featured a wide range of well-maintained trucks and trailers.

Most impressive marketing results:

Tolsaf Cranes Business Closure and Tutt Bryant Surplus Equipment Auction Pickles boasts a dedicated marketing team of marketing specialists, and these experts help elevate auction campaigns to reach soaring heights and attract millions of views to individual sales. All auctions benefit from a comprehensive array of marketing services, to great effect. For the Tolsaf Cranes Business Closure and Tutt Bryant Surplus Equipment Auction, this achieved impressions of 1.2 million and 1.1 millionM, respectively.

Highlighting the successful Tolsaf Cranes sale, the utilisation of search, social, and display ad marketing services generated a remarkable 1.2 million impressions across a range of assets, including cranes, trucks, vehicles, lifting, and rigging equipment. Similarly, the Tutt Bryant Surplus Equipment Auction digital campaign achieved 1.1 million impressions across a large range of cranes, mobile plant, and trailers to a vast audience of potential buyers.

The Tolsaf Cranes Business Closure sale generated 1.2 million impressions across a range of marketing channels.

Best niche sales:

End of Lease Nut Harvesting Equipment Auction and End of Lease Vineyard Plant & Equipment Disposal For businesses with unique equipment fleets, it can be daunting to offload large numbers of niche assets. Luckily, Pickles has dedicated industry experts across Australia to help get asset listings in front of the best buyer demographics.

For the End of Lease Nut Harvesting Equipment Auction, this resulted in more than $3.3 million+ in total sales, and for the End of Lease Vineyard Plant & Equipment Disposal, over $1.2 million.

Honourable mentions:

The Tutt Bryant Surplus Equipment Auction digital campaign achieved 1.1 million impressions for a large range of cranes, mobile plant, and trailers.

National Civil Earthmoving, Crushing, Screening & Quarry Sale and Online Stock Trailer & Prime Mover Auction 2023 was the year of vendor satisfaction, with asset prices effectively helping businesses transition to new fleets, or to retirement.

With Pickles achieving gross industrial sales exceeding $686 million, the year can be described as just as successful as it was explosive.

As another year looms on the horizon, Pickles is gearing up to help guide the next round of businesses and buyers seeking advantageous results.

www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au | EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE 19

IN THIS BUSINESS, YOU NEED THE BEST TO SUCCEED

When your business is under pressure to deliver you need to maintain your engine at its best. New Caltex Delo® is formulated with our innovative ISOSYN™ Advanced Technology to give you excellent durability, reliability, and efficiency.

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KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS PROTECT YOUR CAT® HYDRAULIC SYSTEM TO AVOID COSTLY DOWNTIME. WEAR, CRACKS & KINKS

OIL LEAKS & ROD DAMAGE

EXCESSIVE NOISE, HEAT & VIBRATION Maintaining your equipment’s hydraulic system helps maximise system efficiency and extend component life. It also minimises the risk of unscheduled downtime, costly repairs and contingent damage. To keep your machines performing at their best, find out about the range of genuine Cat® hydraulic component repair and replacement solutions available.

Speak to your Cat dealer or visit cat.com/hydraulics-au

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© 2023 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Corporate Yellow”, the “Power Edge” and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

MEET THE EXPERT

Why hydraulic system warning signs can’t be ignored Protecting your Cat® hydraulic system can help avoid costly downtime.

When it comes to your Cat® machine, it’s fair to say the hydraulic system does a lot of the heavy lifting.

You rely on it every day, on every job, to perform at its best, and that’s why it simply can’t be ignored or left to chance. Preventative maintenance and regular visual inspections are important across every aspect of your equipment. And they are absolutely crucial when it comes to hydraulic components.

What are hydraulic component failure warning signs and how do you spot them?

The more general and obvious ones are overheating, excessive noise and vibration. If you notice any of these indications, do not wait for them to get worse. A little downtime now could save a lot more of it later.

Hoses are always a good place to find any tell-tale signs. They do a lot of work,

22 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

so you have to expect them to take a bit of punishment. Look out for wear, cracks and kinks in the hoses and, if visible, get them replaced. There is no piece of valuable equipment in the world that’s worth risking over a failed hose.

And then, of course, there are the hydraulic cylinders themselves.

Look out for any fluid leaks or rod damage, and, once again, take notice and act if you see any.

There are few common indicators which need vigilance, but there are things you can do to help prevent them from happening. According to Daniel Moxon, Business Development Manager – Hydraulics, at WesTrac Cat, the best way to stay ahead of the game is with preventative maintenance and regular inspections.

“Your first and best port of call when it comes to keeping problems at bay is your Cat dealer,” explained Daniel. “It’s what we do. We will plan out a service schedule based on what sort of equipment you have and what sort of work it will be doing.”

You can get a Customer Value Agreement (CVA) in place so everything from total equipment maintenance, parts and services, repair and replacement solutions for cylinders, valves, pumps and motors, and regular inspections can be taken care of. Your Cat dealer can tailor it to your needs so you can focus on running your business.

S•O•SSM Services are another way you can get ahead of a hydraulics issue before it occurs,” said Daniel. S•O•SSM is a routine check-up for oil, coolant and fuel that delivers valuable insights which can be used to prevent unexpected failures and unplanned downtime.

One sample can reveal excessive wear, contaminated fluids, and other hidden issues.

Using genuine parts and products is also important. Cat hydraulic components are precisely designed and manufactured to meet the requirements of your equipment, making them the ideal choice. Cat fluids and filters are designed as part of a complete system to help reduce wear and ensure maximum component life.

If any damage is identified, selecting the right repair or replacement option can save time and money. Cat dealers offer a wide selection of cost-effective repair and replacement solutions* that range from basic and economical services to full-component replacement using remanufactured (Cat Reman) or brand-new genuine Cat parts.

“All in all,” said Daniel, “the best way to stay on top of your machine’s hydraulic system is to stay in touch with your dealer and don’t ignore the warning signs.

Your Cat dealer has a range of hydraulic repair and replacement solutions available to protect your machine’s hydraulic system*. Speak to your dealer or visit cat.com/hydraulics-au to find out more.

*Not all dealers provide all repair levels. Consult your local Cat dealer for more information. 1 Warranty can vary by model and application; limitations may apply. For complete details about the applicable Caterpillar Limited Warranty, contact your Cat dealer. 2 Cost savings based on return of core; core conditions apply. 3 Represents US environmental impacts comparing ‘gate-to-gate’ remanufacturing and manufacturing processes for engines and components. Based on 2018 external study of Cat engines, alternators, and turbochargers. Does not include impacts elsewhere in the Cat value chain.

www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au | EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE 23

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INDUSTRY LEADERS

The PC138US-11 and PC138USLC-11 have Komatsu’s 3D Machine Guidance and Payload system.

Retrofitting the future Komatsu’s PC138 range of excavators, supported by the company’s 3DMG-RFK GNSS Guidance and payload monitoring system, are giving operators access to a new era of technology-driven productivity, which is enhancing performance, safety, and sustainability.

Komatsu has long been a company that prides itself on the technological developments of its machines and Smart Construction offerings.

Komatsu’s roots are embedded in Japan, where more than 100 years ago founder Meitaro Takeuchi moulded the company in his vision, to contribute and enhance his community’s quality of life.

As Scott Berry Komatsu National Business Manager – Construction says, Takeuchi’s commitment to evolving and empowering future generations now translates to Komatsu’s commitment to delivering reliable and “cuttingedge” machinery.

“One of the biggest selling points for our machines is our brand. With our brand we aim to provide the best support, while offering a premium product backed by Japanese quality,” Scott says.

Scott’s enthusiasm for the Komatsu brand has been accentuated by the company’s ongoing development in innovative machinery technology.

From Intelligent Machine Control (iMC) to their suite of ‘Smart Construction’ products, Komatsu is constantly upgrading and updating a variety of Information Communication

Technology (ICT) features, which aim to maximise the productivity and safety of construction machinery.

Developed in-house, these technologies are designed to work across a variety of machinery classes.

Now Komatsu’s 3D Machine Guidance and Payload system, is opening doors for operators to equip their machinery, such as the PC138US-11 and PC138USLC-11 excavators, with the latest technology offerings.

Guidance at your fingertips

With more than 45 models, Komatsu Australia’s variety of excavator models have been developed to suit the needs of operators ranging from the small construction operator to major infrastructure project developers.

One of the key features of the Komatsu’s PC138US-11 and PC138USLC-11 excavator models is their ability to handle a diverse range of operations.

“The PC138US-11 and PC138USLC-11 excavators are some of the best-selling construction excavators in our range because they’re a real utility machine,” Scott says. www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au | EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE 25

INDUSTRY LEADERS

He adds that the decision between having a PC138US-11 or PC138USLC-11 comes down to operator preference.

attachments, and much more,” Marc says.

“It also provides an option to feed asconstructed data directly from the machine into our Smart Construction Dashboard for daily volume and progress reporting.”

Operators can create simple flat and sloping designs themselves on the in-cab display, which can display multiple ‘views’ customised to the operator’s preference.

“The user interface is designed to be user friendly, and operators can become comfortable and productive with it very quickly,” Marc says.

If operators are ever unsure about the operation of the RFK, the Komatsu team is there to help along the way.

“In the case of technical support or to assist with uploading new designs, both managers and our dedicated support team can access the system remotely to keep the machine productive,” Marc says.

One of the RFK’s other marquee features – the payload management system – focuses on the measurable weight of the material being loaded Knowing the weight per bucket load allows an operator to max-load a truck accurately, and has critical implications with regard to road safety and compliance.

“3DMG-RFK increases general safety by ensuring that trucks are not overloaded with material first and foremost. It also ensures that the target load capacities are being met, increasing material haulage productivity, and reducing fuel costs and emissions output to achieve the maximum efficiency out of each truck cycle,” Marc says.

This payload information can be automatically reported to a cloud-based server and used to reference load rates over a project.

Playing it smart

Fit for the future

Operators can create simple flat and sloping designs on the in-cab display.

“We find that a lot of Australian operators are wanting a machine that can pretty much do everything.”

“One of the biggest benefits is the urban swing on both machines, which is what the US stands for. Operators can move the machines closer to walls and get into tight spaces. The shorter undercarriage of the PC138US-11 also boosts the agility and mobility of the machine.”

Both the PC138US-11 and PC138USLC-11 have an identical tail swing radius of 1480 millimetres, allowing the excavators to work in tighter spaces when compared to conventional machinery.

Both machines are powered by Komatsu’s low-emission, Tier 4 Compliant engine, providing 97 horsepower for each machine.

Scott says the engine provides sustainability benefits when compared to conventional engine designs.

“I’m certainly a believer in doing everything that we can to minimise emissions and make the world cleaner and greener. Whether or not our engines are ‘changing the world’, we believe this is the way of the future,” Scott says.

And while the excavators share similar features and capabilities, the biggest difference lies in the undercarriage design between the two models.

Scott says the larger undercarriage on the PC138USLC-11 provides slightly better stability, especially when using larger attachments and implements, therefore increasing the safety of operation, especially when working with hazards such as uneven terrain or heavy loads.

As with many of Komatsu’s construction machinery models, these PC138US excavators are compatible with the Smart Construction 3DMG-RFK solution for GPS guidance.

The 3DMG-RFK system allows users to reap the benefits of high-quality GPS guidance on their existing machinery. Operators have access to 3D machine guidance, but also payload management and 3D construction data collection, and at a price never before seen in the Australian market.

Marc Brook, Product Manager Smart Construction at Komatsu, says the 3DMG-RFK can allow conventional machinery to perform digital construction.

“Time is money, and the more time that the excavator can spend performing productive tasks, the better,” Marc says.

He says the 3D machine guidance feature allows operators to dig to 3D design plans accurately and efficiently, by displaying the bucket position compared to the design model on-screen, in their cab, in real time.

“The RFK system uses high-performance sensors and antennas to display the position of the bucket accurately and reliably against the design information. The operator can easily change surface offsets, extend the grade of a design surface, record points, create simple designs, easily change between designs and

26 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

The 3DMG-RFK solution can be fitted on all machines ranging from 13-tonne to 50-tonne.

“The 3DMG-RFK system can be fit to a variety of machine sizes, makes and models, including older machines, for 3D machine guidance” Marc says.

“The payload part of the system is machine specific, and we are constantly looking to add more machines to our payload management supported list.”

“The 3DMG system can be fitted at our factory prior to the handover of the machine, or alternatively it can be installed on site in the case of existing operational equipment.”

Marc adds that Komatsu is excited and looking to embrace the future, with plans already in place to further develop the technological capabilities of the 3DMG-RFK system, along with machinery such as the PC138US-11 and PC138USLC-11 excavators.

“We are constantly working to develop the RFK product based on our customer’s needs,” Marc says. “From a hardware perspective we will be looking to support more makes and models of machines in the future.

“From a software perspective, we are constantly engaging with our customers on features to improve their workflows, and our customers will continue to receive these feature updates as they become available.”

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MACHINE CONTROL & SOFTWARE

The BricsCAD platform has been developing and evolving since 2002.

Streamlining the path to a digital future BricsCAD provides powerful, accessible CAD tools for civil engineers, contractors, and surveyors. C.R. Kennedy’s Bernie Edmonds explains what makes the software such a valuable component of any construction professional’s path to digitalisation.

As technology continues to revolutionise the construction industry, the pressure on construction professionals to keep up with the latest trends builds every day. Whether through machine control technology, project management software, or large-scale digital twins, the transformative shift brought on by advancements in digitalisation is completely reshaping how the industry functions.

While daunting for many, this push towards technological revolution has the potential to optimise productivity and profitability, while simultaneously improving worker safety and reducing the environmental impact of projects.

For the less technologically minded, the upside to this new digital norm is a concurrent push for improving the accessibility and usability of this technology. And in the realm of computer-aided design (CAD) for construction

projects, one software platform leading the way on this front is BricsCAD. Whether working in 2D or 3D space, BricsCAD is designed to streamline the workflow between architects, engineers, and those putting the pieces together in the real world – and remove as many barriers to entry for the process as possible.

The software is suitable for survey applications, civil and structural design, BIM (building information modelling) and 3D modelling, GIS (geographic information system), as well as mapping applications for underground utilities, road networks, and the like.

A valuable piece of the digital puzzle

Developed by Hexagon AB subsidiary Bricsys since 2002, BricsCAD can now be found in use

on construction projects around the world, and its userbase continues to grow as the industry adapts to the digital world.

In Australia, BricsCAD is now available through premium reseller and construction technology specialists C.R. Kennedy, adding to the business’ comprehensive range of geospatial, surveying, and construction technology solutions.

Bernie Edmonds, Segment Manager – Building Construction at C.R. Kennedy, says the BricsCAD platform is a perfect fit for C.R. Kennedy’s offering, and allows the business to offer its customers a more complete technology solution than ever before.

“Bricsys partnered with C.R. Kennedy on BricsCAD because of the sheer breath of our clients across many and diverse industries,” he says.

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MACHINE CONTROL & SOFTWARE

BricsCAD offers an accessible and versatile suite of CAD tools for construction professionals of all stripes.

BricsCAD is available in either subscription or perpetual licences across a range of tiers.

Bernie says this allows C.R. Kennedy to provide the BricsCAD software as part of an integrated solution for customers, streamlining their path to digitalisation in the process.

“For many of our clients in construction, they’re smart enough to realise that they need to move into the digital world and away from some of the traditional analogue methods like tape measures and string lines,” he says. “So, they might come to us to purchase a digital total station that allows them to do all those tasks quickly, easily, and efficiently.

“But to do that effectively, you really need to have access to a digital plan and data set.

That’s where BricsCAD comes in.”

Bernie says a lot of builders might have only limited experience working with computers and data, having spent their careers to date scribbling notes and measurements on large, physical paper plans.

“We can now introduce them to BricsCAD – the BIM version in particular – which gives them a good entry point into the 3D design space,” he says. “Then they can receive seemingly complex 3D drawings from an engineer or architect, and then they can easily strip back layers and tidy them up. They can delete any information that’s not needed onsite, making it very usable in the field.

“And our customers are realising how beneficial it is to their workflows to have that power, as it saves them having to go back and forth talking to architects or engineers.”

Low barrier, low risk

Bernie highlights the variety of perpetual and subscription licencing options available for BricsCAD as a big bonus in an increasingly ‘subscription only’ digital landscape.

“You can always just start off with the Lite

32 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

version as an entry point with basic 2D drafting tools, and then move up to the Pro or BIM versions when you want to get into the full 3D modelling functionality,” he says.

“And you can either go with a subscription if you want to keep up to date with all the latest updates, or opt for a one-off payment for a perpetual licence if you think you’re only going to be using the same basic features ongoing.”

Bernie also credits Bricsys for how easy it is to migrate to BricsCAD from competitor platforms, with an abundance of helpful resources and easily accessible online training available.

“It also comes in at a very competitive price, but you’re not losing any functionality at all – in fact you’ll likely gain a few features,” he says.

Bernie acknowledges that not everybody is going to embrace the digital future with open arms, but says C.R. Kennedy is ready with the expertise and knowledge base required to get people started.

“It is an educational process that we’re introducing to some people who may never have considered getting involved in the digital design side of construction,” he says. “And it can be daunting. But increasingly people are realising that if they want to be in the industry for the long term, they need to evolve with it.”

For a free 30-day trial of BricsCAD Ultimate, visit www.survey.crkennedy. com.au, or scan here:

BUSINESS & FINANCE

Vast’s partnership with Finlease has helped the business grow quickly.

Vast potential ACT-based Vast Earthworks and Civil has enjoyed huge growth over a short period, thanks to a focus on quality work and a positive work culture. EEM catches up with Directors Jon Lorenz and Jayden Kraft to learn what sets their business apart, and how equipment finance specialists Finlease have helped the team expand their potential.

If you ask the team at Canberra’s Vast Earthworks and Civil what sets the business apart from the crowd, the answer is straightforward: doing jobs right, and treating people well. On the surface, it’s a simple equation – but Directors Jon Lorenz and Jayden Kraft have put a lot of thought into how to make it all add up.

Executing jobs to a high standard using the latest technology is what the customers see – but as Jon says, none of that can happen without the right people on board.

“Building a team of passionate, driven, and highly skilled individuals is a major factor in Vast’s success,” he says.

Jayden adds that providing machinery that operators are excited to use goes a long way for worker satisfaction, but that this is just the tip of the iceberg for Vast.

“From company facilities such as a workers’ social lounge, company gym and recreational facilities, to quarterly team-building exercises and monthly toolbox catch ups – it’s our aim to provide a really high standard of work environment for our team to enjoy both on and off site,” he says.

Quality work is the focus for the Vast team.

And then there’s the work itself. Jon and Jayden take pride in the variety of work that makes “Vast” more than just a business name.

“We can deliver anything from basement excavations through to complete groundup asphalt carparks, commercial slabs,

landscaping, hydraulics, and more,” Jon says.

“We offer a comprehensive range of services in-house, tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients – no matter the job.

“In recent years our company has grown quickly, which we owe to how we deliver on

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BUSINESS & FINANCE

Jon Lorenz (left) and Jayden Kraft.

projects – both in terms of quality, as well as meeting deadlines and budgets. Our clients know when they need a job done, they can count on us to deliver a quality job on time, every time. This has helped develop support from repeat clients, which in turn has helped us grow our team.”

Starting simple

Jon began his construction career as a commercial electrician. An appetite for new skills led him to work on the gas fields before he was drawn into the world of earthmoving.

“I purchased a second-hand farm excavator, and from there earthmoving quickly became more than just a hobby,” he says. “I soon made the switch to earthmoving full-time, and I haven’t looked back since.”

Jon started Vast Earthworks and Civil, and was soon joined by Jayden – a man destined for earthmoving long before he was born.

“Coming from an earthmoving family, dirt has been in my blood since I was a little kid,” Jayden says. “I was operating machines before I could touch the pedals properly, and could competently operate basically any and every machine by the time I finished school.”

Jayden joined Vast as a full-time operator three years ago, with a view to start his own earthmoving business in the near future. But fate had other ideas.

“After a few discussions with Jon, we figured out that both our plans and ideas for the future aligned,” Jayden says, “so it just made sense to partner up and take the business to the next level.”

Bigger things

Now with more than 60 pieces of plant and equipment and 19 staff members on the books, the growth of the Vast business over the past three years indicates that Jon and Jayden were onto something.

“Currently in our fleet we have 22 pieces of top-of-the-line Cat Next Gen machinery ranging from excavators, dozers, loaders, skid steers, compact track loaders, and rollers,” Jayden says.

“We also have trucks ranging from medium rigid up to heavy combination, dog trailers, and watercarts. And we have Landcruiser and Hilux work vehicles fitted out with all the kit to help our crew take on their jobs.”

One recent milestone for the Vast team has been the purchase of their first commercial property.

“This has been a massive achievement for us, as it allows a permanent base for us to work out of,” Jon says. “It gives us the opportunity to provide good facilities for our staff, as well as enough room for all our gear and workshop requirements.”

The right support

Jon says that another crucial element in Vast’s rapid growth has been keeping on top of finances – something made hassle-free thanks to a trusted partnership with equipment finance and leasing experts Finlease.

Jon says Finlease broker Andrew Chisolm reached out to him at just the right time.

“Andrew got in contact just after he’d started his role at Finlease,” Jon says. “We had been struggling to find a quality broker at the time who

36 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

was interested in building a long-lasting working relationship, as opposed to a one-off deal.”

Jon says the service offered by Andrew and his team made the decision to stick with Finlease from that point onwards an easy one.

“It was seamless enough that using another broker was not even in question,” he says.

“Andrew takes care of everything in the background which allows us to focus on running the business. He pre-empts our requirements for growth and always has options available for us should we require spontaneous purchases.”

Jon says Andrew has also helped build relationships with Vast’s banking managers, insurance brokers, and accountants, which has proven invaluable as the business has grown.

“With the support from Finlease helping to manage these relationships, we feel comfortable knowing that regardless of the ever-changing nature of our industry, we’ll be in a position to capitalise and update our fleet to meet the requirements of any future job, big or small.

“We have big goals in the future for Vast Earthworks, and our partnership with Finlease will play a big role in helping bring these goals to life.”

Check out Vast Earthworks and Civil at www.vastearthworks.com.au, or follow @vastearthworks on Instagram.

To find out how Finlease can help grow your business, check out: www.finlease.com.au

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INDUSTRY INSURANCE

More than 30 per cent of malicious damage to work sites occurs between December and January.

Practical tips for safeguarding your equipment and site during down time If it sounds familiar, it’s because it is – the holiday season continues to be a peak time for theft and damage to mobile plant and equipment, and work sites. But the Yellow Cover experts at NTI are here with practical steps to avoid costly incidents during the holiday period.

At face value, it seems like common sense: inadequately secured work sites are at a much higher risk of theft and malicious damage. In fact, the Australian Institute of Criminology reports a significant increase (over 30 per cent) in these types of criminal offences during the December/January period.

And it’s not just equipment that needs consideration. NTI’s National Product Manager – Mobile Plant, David Kidd says unsecured sites also pose a risk to members of the public, including falls from partially built structures and scaffolding, live electrical power, open excavations, or building waste and rubble.

“If anything goes wrong onsite during down time, you may still be liable, and the liability costs can be detrimental to your business,” he says.

“The best way to prevent these occurrences is to maintain a clear and organised area and to have site supervisors carry out a few simple checks to ensure safety.

“You may need to be extra vigilant if a site is near homes, public parks, or other recreational spaces. The health and safety risks to the public are higher, especially when children or pets may be in the vicinity.

“Dealing with a serious incident isn’t on anyone’s wish list, so we are encouraging everyone to leave enough time for a thorough clean up and safety check before knocking off for holidays.”

Here are some practical suggestions to help reduce the risk of theft, damage, and injury during this opportune time for offenders: 1. Manage inventory – keep a log of equipment serial numbers and know where items are 2. Install sensor lights and/or alarm systems to deter intruders 3. Add identification to equipment such as DataDots, etching, or tags 4. Install vandal covers to machinery to avoid malicious damage and deter break ins 5. Fit machines with GPS tracking systems and immobilisers 6. Install lockable reservoir caps to the fuel and hydraulic systems on your equipment 7. I nstall audible and/or back-to-base alarms on your machines and security cameras 8. E nsure appropriate fencing, secured gates, and boundaries are in place, and close gaps under and between fences and gates so they can’t be accessed by the public

38 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

9. C onsider after hours security patrols or notifying local police of shutdown period 10. Brace partially built structures (e.g., walls, roofs, temporary fencing) to prevent them from becoming airborne in the event of strong winds or bad weather 11. Remove surplus equipment and machinery from the site including chemicals and harmful substances 12. Brace boundary fencing so it can’t be pushed or blown over 13. Ensure electrical safety by turning off the mains switch and securing the mains switchboard 14. Backfill excavations or make sure they are covered 15. Make sure your plant and equipment is insured with a specialist mobile plant underwriter so you’ve got an expert on the case and your business is supported if you need to make a claim.

If you’d like to learn more about risk management and how to protect your business, contact your insurance broker, or NTI, today. Visit NTI’s Yellow Cover at: www.yellowcover.com.au

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Speak to your local Cat dealer or visit cat.com/productivity today. © 2023 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Corporate Yellow”, the “Power Edge” and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission. VisionLink is a trademark of Caterpillar Inc., registered in the United States and in other countries.

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INDUSTRY TRAINING

The operator’s basic guide to hydraulics Scott Lidster reaches out to Kyle Probert from APT Specialists Hydraulics and Training for a crash course on hydraulics.

Hydraulics: what an amazing invention. It’s hard to imagine where we’d be if some curious minds a couple of thousand years ago didn’t start to nut hydraulics out.

Operators interact with hydraulic systems all day long, though mostly from the comfort of their cab. But every operator needs to understand what a healthy, safe hydraulic system looks like.

In this edition, I reached out to the champions at APT Specialists Hydraulics and Training, in particular their head honcho Kyle Probert, to get the low down on what an operator needs to know about their hydraulic systems.

Kyle Probert (centre) with the APT Specialists Hydraulics and Training team.

Over to you Kyle!

While our maintenance teams do a great job making sure that our hydraulic systems keep running, as operators, you also play a pivotal role in ensuring that the machines you use run efficiently and safely. That’s why it's incredibly important that you understand a few basic concepts about hydraulics so you can help keep the machines running and yourselves safe.

So, what are a few things you can look out for? Well, to start with, we can look at leaks and cross contamination that can cause leaks.

First and foremost, your hydraulic system shouldn't leak. If you notice hydraulic oil (or coolant, or any other fluids seeping from your machine), it's a red flag. Not only should you fix the leak promptly, but also, ask yourself why it's happening. Leaks often result from damage to hoses and fittings. But there can be more sinister reasons for leaks such as O-rings hardening, which can be due to normal wear or, the more important thing to watch for: excessive heat. Addressing the root cause could prevent a major event.

Moving on, cross contamination is one major issue that operators can help control.

Ensuring the cleanliness of hydraulic oil is a straightforward yet highly effective maintenance task. Regularly change and maintain filters, and make sure to fill the hydraulic oil with care. Cleanliness here refers not only to dirt and dust in the oil but also to water and other fluids. Hydraulics and water don't mix well.

But let's take this one step further since clean hydraulic systems extend beyond oil and filters. Air coolers and oil coolers should be kept free of debris to operate efficiently. Hoses must also be kept clean to avoid damage, and components should be cleaned in case of leaks to prevent dust and dirt build-up. A clean system operates better and lasts longer, ensuring your machine performs at its best.

Finally, if you are going to work on the

hydraulics, ensure you understand the dangers of trapped pressure. The three key things to remember here are isolate, dissipate, test.

• Check for extended or raised components Before working on a hydraulic system, such as a hydraulic excavator, inspect parts like the boom, bucket, or arm. If these parts aren't entirely at rest, stored energy is present, and it's unsafe to work on the connected hoses.

• Ensure proper shutdown and dissipate any stored energy Ideally, all machines should be parked and stored with dissipated energy before shutting down. If, after your initial check, you observe stored energy in the boom or bucket, dissipating this energy should be your first step before commencing work.

• Confirm pressure has been dissipated This is the most important step. Test with gauges to check the pressure has been dissipated – if you are unsure, do not work on the hydraulic system.

Remember, hydraulic systems are designed to work efficiently, but they require proper care. Demonstrating your skill by keeping your machine clean and respecting its intricacies will ultimately keep you safe and your machine in good working order.

About APT Specialist Hydraulics and Training

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The business is a registered training organisation with scope for not only hydraulics, but post-trade engineering courses from Certificate 4 Engineering through to Advanced Diploma of Engineering – a career path from Trade to Engineering level.

To learn more about APT and access their free safety training, head to: www.apthydraulics.com.au

Thanks, Kyle!

So, there you have it. A 101 guide for when working with or around hydraulics – not only for operators, but anyone who interacts with hydraulics in their day-to-day.

Every operator should know how to identify and address leaks promptly.

42 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

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MARKETING & PR

Create a one-page cheat sheet to help craft consistent posts.

Top tips for compelling social media posts Do you dread writing yet another business social media post and tire of coming up with new ways to say the same thing over and over? The Hardman Communications team has you covered.

If it feels like your posts have become stale and you could be doing better, you are not alone.

The struggle to create compelling posts is very real. Here’s a few points to shake up your thinking and inspire you to write new posts with a new flair…

1. S tart with the customer in mind, not your business. We live and breathe our business, but the customer doesn’t. Really know who your target market is and think like them.

2. A sk yourself, ‘Why do they care?’ Do they really care that a product will do what it’s meant to do?

3. Have the customer pain point in mind. You want them to say, “That’s me!” Then show them what their life will look like after.

4. P ositive language is trending. Jump on the bandwagon of ‘why I love’ posts rather than ‘10 reasons I hate’ posts.

5. Stories and reels are dominating. Have a go at shooting a video, the more raw and real the better. Make static images fun with animations or turn them into a reel, then bask in the higher reach and engagement stats.

6. C reate posts and CTAs with the marketing funnel in mind. Set a plan with clear

Keep your target audience in mind when posting on your social channels.

messaging and CTAs for each part of the funnel. Consumers aren’t going to ‘buy now’ if they’re not aware of your business or interested in your service or product. Take them on a journey before asking them to convert.

7. R emember the 80/20 rule: 80 per cent of people will look at an image, but only 20 per cent will read the post. Make sure the important bits are in the image to capture attention straight away.

8. L ess is more when it comes to the target

audience. When creating paid ads on social platforms, choosing one or two targeting parameters is better than going down a rabbit hole of 20 different interests, professions, and demographics. Social platforms are programmed to know who to show content to.

Let them, and well-worded copy, do the work.

9. Marketing persona cheat sheet – this is a favourite among the HC team! Use all the above points to create a one-page cheat sheet that can be consulted every time a post is created. It will keep the post on track and the creative juices flowing.

44 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

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DEALER PROFILE

JEM Civil Group is busy with a bulk earthworks job for a sports club in Sydney’s south west.

Into the blue We sit down with JEM Civil Group Managing Director Jason Fares to find out what’s made him loyal to Kobelco excavators, and how local dealer STM Trucks & Machinery continues to make the choice easy.

Jason Fares started JEM Civil Group in 2014, and bought his first Kobelco excavator from Adrian Martiniello at STM Trucks & Machinery not long after.

“I’m a civil engineer by trade,” Jason says. “I graduated from the University of Technology Sydney back in 2010, and worked for a few companies until 2014, when I set out on my own.

“We started off with plant hire as we found our feet with the business. And from there, we moved more into the contracting side.

“In the past 12 months or so, the business has really picked up – we’ve had a lot more contracts awarded. And in the past six months, we’ve added two brand-new Kobelcos to our fleet.”

These two machines, an SK55SRX-7, and an SK75SR-7 Offset Boom, have joined JEM Civil Group’s fleet, which already includes a number of Kobelco excavators, as well as several Fuso trucks also purchased through STM.

Knuckling down

The new SK75SR-7 is currently being put through its paces by Jason and his team on a bulk earthworks job for a sports club in Sydney’s south west.

“Our scope here is to undertake all the bulk earthworks, strip the site, do the required

Jason Fares, Managing Director, JEM Civil Group.

demolition, and install the stormwater drainage,” Jason says. “Then, we’ll hand the site back as level ground, ready for the synthetic turf guys to do their install and prep the sports field. There’s quite a bit of detailed excavation that we need to do, so it will keep us busy for about two or three months.”

46 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

Jason says the versatile SK75SR-7 has already proven its worth on the job, where it’s delivering the kind of results he and his operators have grown to expect from Kobelco.

“The quality of the Kobelco machines is unreal,” Jason says. “The guys just love it.

My whole crew enjoys jumping into these

machines. They’re roomy, they feel good to control, and they’re very responsive for the kind of work that we do.”

Jason says that given the industry’s ongoing labour shortage, it’s more important than ever to provide machinery that operators will enjoy using.

“All operators are going to have their preferred brands of plant and equipment, but everybody knows what they’re going to get with Kobelco,” he says. “Whenever you drive past any job site, you’ll always see those blue machines there – and that’s for good reason.

“They always deliver on performance, they’re good on fuel, and I’ve never had any issues with them since we started using them. Our first Kobelco excavator is still going strong, and it’s never missed a beat. STM still handles all the servicing for it, and even though it’s now eight years old, it still runs like new. They’re really built to last.”

Kobelco excavators have delivered on the comfort front for JEM Civil Group’s operators.

The SK75SR-7’s offset knuckle boom gives operators the flexibility to operate comfortably on any site.

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DEALER PROFILE

A new Kobelco SK75SR-7 is one of the latest additions to the JEM Civil Fleet.

Always there

While JEM Civil Group is growing, Jason is committed to the small business mentality that’s served him well in his career to date.

“Our aim is to provide plant and equipment to meet clients’ budgets and time constraints, and do what we can to increase productivity on their jobs,” he says. “It’s that reliability that I’ve build my clientele on – delivering projects to a high quality, on time, and on budget.”

Jason says he sees the same attitude on show at STM Trucks & Machinery, which is a big contributing factor to his repeat business.

“STM has always looked after me – it’s never just a transaction with them,” he says. “From the after-sales support to the excavator service department, to the after-sales truck support.

Their finance department too, which pretty much handles all my equipment finance.”

Jason says the STM team always endeavours to understand his business, the projects he has lined up, and provide frank advice about how STM can assist. And as a result, it won’t be long before JEM Civil Group expands its Kobelco fleet once again.

“I’m looking at buying an SK135SR-7, which also has the offset knuckle boom,” Jason says.

“We do a lot of drainage and electrical work, and the offset machines come in very handy for operating in those tight areas.”

Going forward, Jason says there’s no question he’ll continue to return to STM and Kobelco as the JEM Civil Group business continues to grow.

“It’s really reassuring to know that I’ve got that reliable support with STM, that they always make it their business to help out whenever they’re needed,” he says.

“In the nearly 10 years I’ve been in business, STM has always been there. And any issues I ever have, they act on straight away.”

Jason praises the responsiveness of Kobelco’s machinery.

Kobelco excavators’ ease of operation is a big win for Jason’s team.

48 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

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DEALER PROFILE

ASA has shared a strong partnership with Merlo Australia for the past decade.

Playing to strengths Access Service Australia (ASA) has spent more than two decades providing trusted equipment service support to tier one rental companies across Australia and New Zealand. EEM sits down with the ASA team to learn how they are leveraging their expertise as a newly appointed dealer for Merlo Australia’s Cingo range.

Having recently added the versatile Cingo range to its local offering, Merlo Australia has been expanding its dealer network accordingly to meet demand.

While this has involved reaching out into markets previously untapped by Merlo Australia’s telehandler range, it has also presented an opportunity to strengthen existing relationships.

One such relationship that has proven to be a key asset in the early roll-out of the Cingo range has been with Access Service Australia (ASA).

Better access

Since 2000, ASA has evolved from a Brisbanebased service support business for elevating work platforms, to a well-respected equipment dealer with a presence that extends across Australia’s east coast and New Zealand.

Chris Wilson, Merlo Group Australia National Dealer Development Manager, says Merlo Australia and ASA have worked together

closely for the better part of a decade.

“We had a couple of key accounts that needed servicing, and ASA had an existing national footprint which suited us down to the ground,” he says. “And from there, we’ve worked closely with them for the past nine years. They’ve been a fully compliant service agent for Merlo machinery, with full access to all our programs and diagnostics.”

Chris says when discussions started brewing around ASA coming on board as a dealer for the Cingo range, it quickly became apparent that it was a natural fit.

“They could see a need and an opportunity through their customer base for the Cingo product, so they jumped on board,” he says.

“Since then, they’ve been to the Merlo factory in Italy, they’ve seen the manufacturing process – they’re fully involved in the Merlo brand from that perspective, and that means they’re very comfortable talking with their customer base about the Merlo products.”

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Despite its recent introduction, Merlo’s Cingo range is generating demand in Australia.

Built on service

At the helm of ASA is Director Paul Sharples, supported by General Manager John Oliver – each of whom have been with the business for more than 20 years.

“We are probably best known for elevating work platforms,” says Paul, “but over the years we have spread our wings and grown to suit both our skill base and customer base, and we now take on telehandlers, light towers, and more.

“At the start, we were providing service to any and all customers, but as time has gone on, we’ve gravitated towards providing support for manufacturers and rental companies.”

With 55 technicians spread across three primary locations, ASA has developed a robust network to ensure tier one rental companies are well supported.

“This is a very important requirement for the primary and volume buyers of equipment like the Cingo,” Paul says. “They really need to see a solid post-sales support mechanism.”

He says ASA’s proven track record in this regard was a big reason Merlo Australia proposed the Cingo distribution partnership.

And likewise, the ASA team was excited to add the trusted Merlo name to its product range.

“Partnership is the key word,” Paul says. “It’s much more of a collaborative arrangement than a typical supplier-distributor relationship.

Merlo Australia are doing their best to support us to be the best that we can be in selling and supporting their product. It’s a very collaborative and transparent relationship.”

“You could say it’s two halves coming together,” adds John. “You have the manufacturing know-how of Merlo, and our service and backup support, and we’ve combined our strengths to support the tier one rental companies.”

Chris says ASA was a natural fit as a dealer for the Cingo range.

In the right corner

Michael Lombardo, Merlo Group Australia Managing Director, says his business’ relationship with ASA has continued to strengthen the Merlo brand’s presence in Australia. He says this is owing as much to ASA’s strong service network as it is to the personal touch they bring to their day-to-day operations.

“Their relationships with tier one rental companies are very much based on personal connections at an extremely high level,” says Michael. “On top of that, the ASA team is very well acquainted with Merlo products, and they’ve had ongoing factory training and backing through their nine-year tenure as a Merlo Australia service agent.

“For us, we see ASA as a key participant in our efforts to be better in the after-sales side of our business as well. It’s a relationship that we hope continues to evolve.”

For more on Merlo Australia, visit: www.merlo.com/aus/en If you are interested in dealership opportunities for the Cingo range, contact: info@merlo.com

ASA's robust network is equipped to provide the support tier one rental companies demand.

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DEALER PROFILE

Allied can now offer an identical service solution in Penrith as it can in Perth – without outsourcing any of the work.

From Perth to Penrith with Allied Equipment Sales Allied Equipment Sales distinguishes itself in the Australian used equipment landscape thanks to a trusted network of suppliers from across the globe. Director Mitchell Smith explains how this has helped lay the foundations for the business’ growth, and its recent coast-to-coast expansion.

Building on more than four decades of industry experience, Allied Equipment Sales has established itself as one of Australia’s most reliable sources for a wide range of earthmoving equipment, including excavators, dozers, graders, backhoe loaders, and more.

Allied’s business model focuses on streamlining the used equipment purchasing process, with a view to make it safe, secure, and simplified for owner operators and major civil construction and mining companies alike.

“We’re an independent dealer specialising in very low-hour, good quality used earthmoving equipment from brands such as Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi, and Volvo,” says Director Mitchell Smith.

“We don’t overcomplicate things here, we simply provide the right machine for people’s requirements, and make sure it’s available at the time they need it.”

Mitchell makes the whole thing sound simple

– and perhaps, in theory, it is. The goal and the method are clear, but the framework that underpins Allied’s operation has been decades in the making.

Growing together

Allied Equipment Sales was established in 2004 as an independent branch of a business run by Mitchell’s father. By sticking by its family business values, Mitchell says Allied has been able to foster a positive and rewarding work culture – as evident in the number of employees who have been with the business for the long haul.

“Our biggest asset is our people, as well as their individual relationships with suppliers and clients,” Mitchell says. “We’re a relationshipsdriven business – always have been, always will be. We have people who have been with the business for a long period of time, and have been crucial in developing our strong network

of suppliers.”

He says by being selective with the suppliers, and maintaining strong relationships with those select few, Allied can be sure that its pipeline of stock is always fit for purpose.

“That's the importance of dealing with select trusted suppliers, because it gets to a point where they understand what's required at our end, so they won't offer up machines that they know won't be suitable for us.” Mitchell says.

“And they also understand our capabilities and customer base, and can cater accordingly.”

Ready to work

Mitchell says working this way ensures mutual growth and success across the board – Allied supports its preferred dealers, which allows it to better cater to its customer base.

“We’ve grown over the last few years based on being able to procure quality equipment from our trusted supplier network,” Mitchell

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DEALER PROFILE

sales representative to work alongside the branch manager.

“It was all about being able to provide the same offering across the country,” Mitchell says.

Previously, equipment would either have to be imported to Allied’s Perth branch for any required repairs or refurbishments before being freighted across the country; or imported into Penrith where mechanical work would have to be outsourced to third parties.

“Either way, it created a lot of extra work for people in an already time-poor industry,” Mitchell says. “And involving external parties also means we didn’t have the same level of control over the quality that we otherwise would back in Perth.

“But now, we can offer exactly the same complete service solution on both sides of the country. And that makes things easier for us, and allows us to better solve problems for clients.”

Transparent operations

Mitchell Smith, Director, Allied Equipment Sales.

says. “And we’ve been able to maintain a high standard in the equipment we sell, as the Australian market expects.”

Mitchell says that while Allied hasn’t been immune to the global struggles the industry has faced since 2020, long wait times for new machinery have meant some customers are considering purchasing used machinery where they may not have previously done so.

“One big benefit to dealing with us is we’re able to provide solutions that are work-ready, and immediately available,” Mitchell says.

“And you’re dealing with the owners of these machines, not a broker. If the machines are quoted and visible in the market, they’re available there and then, and they’re ready to work.”

Allied is also able to tap into its supplier network to source specific pieces of machinery for clients.

“If we don’t have it, then we’ll try and find it,” Mitchell says. “Then we’ll take care of everything from the procurement side of things

overseas, through to cleaning and shipping and clearance once it arrives in Australia.”

Going national

As Allied Equipment Sales’ customer base has grown, so too has the expectation that the business can cater to customers with a national footprint.

This is why, under Mitchell’s guidance, Allied has spent the past few years expanding its regional scope from Western Australia to the east coast. Mitchell says this has been driven purely by a desire to better serve an evergrowing list of major clients.

“Since establishing a presence in Penrith, NSW in 2017, that region has grown to make up a third of our revenue,” he says. “And that’s in a region that’s traditionally a lot more competitive compared to WA.” And to ensure a consistent sales and service offering across the country, Allied has invested in a new workshop facility at the Penrith branch, and has recently appointed a second

54 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

Mitchell understands that used equipment can still be a daunting notion for those accustomed to buying exclusively brand-new machinery.

“Used equipment has so many variables, and no machine is exactly the same,” he says. “You might have two otherwise identical machines, but one’s done 5000 hours in a very harsh environment, and one’s done 5000 hours in a very low-impact environment. So, you’re dealing with a totally different animal each time.”

This is where Allied’s combination of good communication with global suppliers, and local teams of knowledgeable mechanical professionals makes a difference.

“It’s extremely important to understand what you’re looking at, where it's come from, where it's worked, and how,” Mitchell says. “And you’ll never really get that full picture until you’ve worked through the machine, it’s service history, oil sample reports, and machine data.

We provide customers with all that knowledge, and we’ll always be extremely transparent about any issues, and machines will be priced accordingly.”

In keeping with its commitment to transparency, Allied also welcomes local dealers or independent mechanics to inspect machinery on behalf of clients prior to purchase.

“We actually encourage this, as it provides a better peace of mind for our customers in the face of that unknown element you get with anything used,” Mitchell says. “And it just goes to show that we’re committed to delivering on what we’re saying.

“That's ultimately the key value of our business: we don't over-promise, we just tell the truth. We’re always upfront, and we'll share with our clients any challenges we might be facing.

“Whoever we’re dealing with, it's simply all about keeping transparent communication open at all times.”

To learn more, or to explore the range of equipment currently available for purchase, visit: www. alliedequipmentsales.com.au

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INDUSTRY EVENT

Winning feeling: The Cat Global Operator Challenge China finals.

Ancient history, modern machinery EEM joined Cat® Global Operator Challenge champion Patrick Doheny on a oncein-a-lifetime trip to the 2023 China Beijing International Construction Machinery, Building Material Machines and Mining Machines Exhibition & Seminar (BICES 2023).

Five action-packed days, hundreds of years of human history, and the latest in cutting-edge construction machinery and technology. For Cat® Global Operator Challenge Champion Patrick Doheny, this sums up his trip to China for the 16th China Beijing International Construction Machinery, Building Material Machines and Mining Machines Exhibition & Seminar – known to most as BICES 2023.

Patrick had been invited as a distinguished guest of machinery giant Caterpillar®, along with his colleague and CRE Group General Manager Darragh Masterson, and Richard Beard from Victorian and Tasmanian Cat dealer William Adams (and with team EEM tagging along for the ride).

On the schedule was taking in the sights, experiencing a taste of China’s rich culture, a peek behind the scenes at one of Caterpillar’s biggest factories, and for Patrick, serving as a guest of honour at the Cat Global Operator Challenge China finals at BICES 2023.

Caterpillar had a big presence at BICES 2023.

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INDUSTRY EVENT

From left: Richard Beard, Patrick Doheny, Darragh Masterson.

Where the magic happens

After finding their feet at Beijing Airport, Patrick and the team boarded a south-bound bullet train to Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province.

Xuzhou is home to the Caterpillar Xuzhou Limited (CXL) factory, Caterpillar’s flagship manufacturing facility in China. Since 1994, the CXL factory has manufactured Cat machinery for distribution across the world.

To accommodate growing market demand in China and abroad, the facility underwent a major expansion project ten years ago, with a view to boost its production of hydraulic excavators by 80 per cent. Today, CXL employs a staff of more than 3000.

Patrick and company were treated to a tour of the CXL factory, where they were walked through the whole excavator production process.

“Some of the most impressive things I’ve seen today were the robotic welders welding the stick and boom, and just seeing the volume that they can get through in a day,” he said.

“One of the most impressive parts was the assembly line. They can assemble a Cat 395 in an hour and a half. The number of machines they can get through each day is pretty amazing.”

Patrick shows off his skills.

58 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

Richard shared Patrick’s enthusiasm for the tour, and having the chance to witness the production of the machinery he works with every day.

“Going to see the Caterpillar CXL factory was a big highlight of the trip, and seeing all the efficiencies in the manufacturing process,” Richard said.

“And to see the start of an excavator’s life, to see it assembled, start its engine, then see it come to life was amazing. A great experience.”

The big show

After three high-speed hours back north on the bullet train to Beijing, Patrick, Darragh, Richard, and the EEM team prepared themselves for the event at the heart of the journey: BICES 2023 For the first time since COVID, China’s largest machinery expo opened its doors to more than 150,000 visitors from more than 70 countries.

Held at the China International Exhibition Center in the Shunyi District in Beijing’s north east from September 20-23, BICES 2023 boasted an exhibition area exceeding 150,000 square meters, attracted over 1300 exhibitors from the global construction industry, and hosted hundreds of industry forums.

Among the big drawcards to the event was the China finals of the Cat Global Operator Challenge, held across the first two days of the show.

Patrick had a big part to play in his stillnew earthmoving celebrity role, taking part in the opening ceremony, kick-starting the Medium Excavator challenge by driving a Cat 320 Excavator into the field, and presenting the runner-up trophy at the conclusion of the second day.

The team toured Caterpillar's flagship excavator facility in China.

The 'Old City' is the cultural heart of Beijing.

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INDUSTRY EVENT

The CXL factory has been in operation since 1994, and now employs a staff of 3000.

Patrick says the CXL factory tour was one of many highlights of the trip.

Patrick said he appreciated the opportunity to relive some of his own glory from the Global Operator Challenge in Las Vegas earlier in 2023, where he proudly raised the winner’s trophy for both his home of Australia and his birthplace of Ireland.

“The highlight of the show was just seeing the joy on the winner’s face,” Patrick said.

“You could see how enthusiastic he was about it – you could even see a tear in his eyes.

“It brought back memories of when we were in Vegas. I understand what that feeling is like – to get to the end and win it. It’s brilliant.”

Soaking up the culture

But the journey was not all about machinery.

And no visit to China would be complete without experiencing the local food, history,

Darragh and Patrick soak up the culture.

and culture of the world’s second most populous country.

For Patrick, Darragh, Richard, and the team, this meant capping off the first day of BICES 2023 with a tour of Beijing’s ‘Old City’ – the historical core of the city, marked by traditional architecture and ancient landmarks, including centuries-old imperial palaces, gardens, and temples.

Darragh said he was grateful for the chance to see the sights and enjoy the local cuisine.

“We’ve had the opportunity to meet a lot of different people and experience the culture,” he said. “We also got to visit the Great Wall, which was a great experience.”

This trip to the Great Wall of China was how the team kicked off their second big day in Beijing – and did so bright and early with a 7am start. The Wall, around an hour’s drive north of the city centre, awaited the team with

its hundreds of ancient steps – but the clear weather and pristine scenery made the steep hike well worth the effort.

Having had a chance to work out the legs and clear the mind amongst the centuries-old stonework, it was then back to the bustling heart of Beijing for the team to cap off their BICES experience, and to celebrate a trip marked equally by China’s ancient cultural wonders and technological advancements in construction machinery.

For Darragh, as the show wrapped up, all he could do was express gratitude for the opportunity to take part in the event.

“Caterpillar really pulled out all the stops and put on a great show,” he said.

Patrick agreed: “The trip has been absolutely amazing. I just want to say thanks to Caterpillar – from start to finish, it’s just been unbelievable.”

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The muscle behind the grain: the Volvo L120H.

No grain, no gain EEM chats with Leigh Burgess from Riordan Grain Services to find out how the business’ partnership with CJD Equipment and Volvo Construction Equipment helps keep countless tonnes of grain moving from field to table around the globe.

With the fundamental role grains play in the diet of the global population, the importance of ensuring their safe and reliable storage and transport cannot be understated.

And as populations grow, and global demand along with it, the role of grain logistics businesses has never been more crucial – for global food security and economic stability alike.

One such business – Riordan Grain Services – is a dynamic family-owned enterprise that has grown significantly from its humble beginnings more than 27 years ago, when it was just one man with a tipper truck. Over the decades since, Riordan has expanded to become a key player in the global grain industry, by establishing robust and reliable operations in grain, transport, storage, container packing, and marketing.

Now Riordan operates predominantly across south-east Australia, utilising bulk grain and on-farm storage networks and its own fleet of trucks, as well as multiple storage facilities in country Victoria with proximity to Geelong and Portland ports – crucial to the business' operations and customer service.

Addison Wood (left), CJD Equipment; and Leigh Burgess, Riordan Grain Services.

62 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

Riordan Grain Services is a key player in the global grain industry.

Another contributor to Riordan Grain Services' success has been its set of ingrained company values: safety and wellbeing, innovation, respect, open communication, and a sense of community.

Riordan Operations Manager Leigh Burgess, speaking to EEM from one of the company’s bases of operations in Corio, south-western Victoria, says the company’s journey has also been driven by hard work and an ability to adapt and grow with the evolving demands of a highly competitive industry.

“Jim Riordan, our Managing Director, founded the company back in 1996,” he says. “Originally, it was just him and a truck carting grain around Victoria for a handful of customers. Since then, we've enjoyed a natural progression as we’ve grown with our customers.”

In his 13 years at Riordan Grain Services, Leigh has witnessed this growth first-hand, and says it’s unlikely to slow down any time soon.

“Originally, it was just focused on grain – bringing grain down from the Wimmera region up north to Geelong and distributing to customers,” he says. “Then, over the past eight or nine years, we've partnered up with a few fertiliser companies as well. And now we're handling a lot of fertiliser distribution through the Geelong port and out to the network of farmers throughout the region.

“Today, we're a pretty integrated business. We run a fleet of trucks and subcontractors, as well specialised fertiliser distribution centres. We also handle a lot of domestic and international grain execution, whether it's through domestic container packing, bulk export overseas, or to local consumers.”

The Riordan team orchestrates its operations around its Volvo machines.

Riordan Grain Services goes the extra mile to maintain quality staff.

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Riordan Grain Services has built success on a set of ingrained company values including safety, wellbeing, innovation, respect, and open communication.

Riordan Grain Services has grown from one man’s vision to a global grain powerhouse.

64 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

Riordan’s L120H wheel loaders are paired with seven-cubic-metre buckets.

Productive power

Helping power Riordan Grain Services' 24/7 operation is a sizeable fleet of Kenworth trucks, as well multiple pieces of Volvo equipment supplied by long-term partners CJD Equipment.

“Our machinery fleet is quite simple,” Leigh says. “We currently run a fleet of Volvo L120H wheel loaders, and we had L120Fs before that.

We only sold our last L120F about three months ago, so they’d been really good machines for us.”

Leigh explains that it wasn’t always wheel loaders at the heart of Riordan’s product handling operation, but a desire to improve productivity and maximise efficiencies led Leigh and his team to change their approach.

“Around 10 years ago, we were running telehandlers,” he says. “And we started get quite busy handling grain – around 200 tonnes an hour. To achieve that, we needed to have two telehandlers and two guys doing 12 hourshifts – and fatigue was a massive issue. So, we needed to figure out how to get to the next level: how to increase productivity, but also how we could make it easier for our staff.”

This led Riordan to purchase its first Volvo machine – a second-hand L120F wheel loader.

This would end up being the first of many pieces of Volvo equipment to pass through Riordan’s gates.

“Going from the telehandlers into the wheel loader, the Volvo was doing the work of at least two telehandlers at that time, and our operators could work a 12-hour shift and not experience the levels of fatigue they were previously.”

Leigh says his staff appreciates the comfort offered by Volvo’s cabs.

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Leigh says Riordan made the move to Volvo wheel loaders a decade ago, and hasn’t looked back since.

Today, the Riordan team runs no fewer than 13 Volvo L120H loaders across its various sites. Leigh says these machines now play a central role in how the business is run.

“We’ve structured our whole business around how to best develop the service side of our business, and finding the best outcomes for our customers,” he says. “And through our partnership with CJD and Volvo, we've managed to effectively structure operations based around our loaders and other equipment.”

Leigh elaborates: “The L120H loaders are a good high-productivity vehicle, and they're matched to all our out-loading and inloading equipment. All our L120Hs are fitted with seven-cubic-metre buckets, which are a really good fit for our cycle times to and from hoppers and trucks; and the width of these buckets is 3m, which is perfect for most hoppers.”

More recently, Riordan has also complemented its wheel loader fleet with Volvo EC220D excavators. These mediumsized excavators operate in conjunction with the L120H wheel loaders in Riordan’s spacious under-roof storage facilities.

“These excavators are used for stacking product coupled with the Volvo loaders, and they’ve been a good fit for us too,” Leigh says.

All-around support

For the Riordan team, one of the key features of Volvo’s wheel loaders and excavators is the level of operator comfort on offer. Leigh says this is essential in the modern era of labour shortages.

“We have operators that have worked in all different makes of machine, and from what we understand, the comfort level of the Volvos is one of the best on the market,” he says.

“As we all know, finding good staff continues to get more and more difficult, so it’s important to provide a good product and maintain a new fleet. And we tend to get people coming back because we run a good operation, we have good people around us, the equipment’s good to operate – and comfy enough to work a full shift with a very low impact on the operator.”

The quality of the machines aside, Leigh says the support from CJD Equipment has been solid from day one. He says Riordan’s local CJD rep Addison Wood and his predecessor have always made a concerted effort to understand the evolving needs of the Riordan business, how its equipment is used.

“They make it their business to know what we do and how we're trying to do it – cycle times back to hoppers, for instance. The machines are all purpose fit, but CJD are always willing to help us tweak things to get better productivity and better efficiency out of our machines.”

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Leigh says that for a relationships-based business such as Riordan Grain Services, it's not only the quality of the machinery that’s important, but the ongoing support and communication to keep it running smoothly.

“We can have all the best equipment in play and operational, but unless we’ve got the support and service to keep the machines maintained and repaired, that’s not good enough,” he says. “The biggest cost for us isn’t the machines themselves, but it’s downtime. If a machine’s out, the flow-on effect is us letting our customers down. So, we need our machines to have a level of support that gives us the ability to execute and keep growing the business.”

And based on their 10-year relationship to date, Leigh says nobody on the Riordan Grain Services team would hesitate to recommend CJD Equipment and Volvo to anybody.

“They understand what we want and what our business means,” he says. “Having the CJD team be willing to partake in our business understand our processes – it helps us, it helps them, and crucially, helps the customers we serve.”

For more on CJD Equipment’s range of Volvo Construction Equipment, visit: www.cjd.com.au

Riordan Grain Services operates around the clock.

Based on the success of its Volvo loaders, Riordan Grain Services recently added Volvo EC220D excavators to its fleet.

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The latest in the BKA Earthworx fleet: the Cat® 299D3XE Land Management.

Streamlining the daily grind Bryce Adamson from New South Wales-based BKA Earthworx has just levelled up his forestry game with the new Cat® 299D3XE Land Management package. Find out what made it the perfect choice for his growing business.

If you’d told Bryce Adamson just a few years ago that he’d be making a living using smaller machines like compact track loaders, he would have laughed at you.

But that’s just how the chips have fallen for his business, BKA Earthworx, since he started it in 2020. The trained plant mechanic trusted his business sense, followed his nose, and it led him into forestry and land management.

“I’d always envisioned running a fleet of dozers and large excavators – which we still do dabble in – but it’s nowhere near as busy as our smaller gear,” Bryce says.

“Around 90 per cent of our work now is vegetation management, slashing or mulching using our compact track loaders. There seems to be a growing market for this kind of work, as opposed to the traditional methods of sending in a dozer and making a big messy pile of

things to burn in the winter.

“Focusing on mulching has been a huge success for us so far.”

Mulching with mates

Bryce is joined under the BKA Earthworx banner by Matt Fisher, a skilled operator, and Bryce’s close mate of more than 20 years.

Bryce says Matt has been crucial to the growth of the business from the start.

“I don’t really look at Matt as an employee,” Bryce says. “He’s just my best mate, who I’m lucky enough to liaise with every day, and who I know I can trust and grow the business with.

I don’t think I would have been able to handle that with someone I didn’t know.”

Bryce says an average day on the job for him involves contacting clients, organising jobs, and then touching base with Matt to get mulching.

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He says a big focus for him – and he suspects a big factor in the success of the business to date – is making the effort to develop personal connections with customers, and establish strong foundations of trust.

“It’s surprising to hear people’s experiences with contractors not following up on quotes, or not showing up when they’ve said they will,” Bryce says. “We’ve always aimed to be committed to our clients, communicate well, and be up front and honest every step of the way.

“Making people feel heard, listening to their needs, and then delivering what they’ve asked for goes a long way. And that’s made so much easier with quality gear and no breakdowns.”

Made for it

The latest piece of quality gear that Bryce is

referring to is a newly delivered Cat 299D3XE Land Management package – a specifically tailored combination of a Cat 299D3XE Compact Track Loader and a Cat HM418 Mulcher.

Building on the success of a smaller Cat 289D3 Compact Track Loader that BKA took delivery of earlier in 2023, Bryce says his and Matt’s volume of work started to demand something a bit bigger and more powerful.

“After looking at some of the competition on the market, I just couldn’t be swayed,” he says. “My experiences just kept bringing me back to Caterpillar, and the 299D3XE Land Management just ticked every box and more.

“It just offered everything we needed in one package. Plus, the way the tool is combined with the machine – it’s tuned perfectly.”

From left: Joel Newton, WesTrac; Bryce Adamson, BKA Earthworx; Matt Fisher, BKA Earthworx.

The cooled, pressurised cab protects the operator from tough conditions.

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BKA Earthworx specialises in mulching using its two Cat Compact Track Loaders.

The new package joins a Cat 289D3 Compact Track Loader in the BKA Earthworx fleet.

Bryce appreciates the freedom and simplicity of ordering Cat parts any time of the day.

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BKA Earthworx takes advantage of WesTrac’s FitFleet Customer Value Agreement to manage the maintenance of its Cat equipment.

According to Nina Zeidan, WesTrac Product Advisor for Cat Attachments, Bryce opted for the HM418 Mulcher because of its Bite Limiter technology.

“The advantage when using a Bite Limiter mulcher over standard carbide mulchers is the ability to cut and mulch material in a single pass rather than the initial cut with the front door open, then reversing over the material with door closed to break it down further for a neater finish,” she says.

“While the daily maintenance and sharpening is a bit more involved than with a standard carbide tooth mulcher, Bite Limiter mulchers are used by professional forestry operators who understand that, like a butcher or a barber, sharp tools are what enable them to provide an expertly finished product on the first cut.”

The Cat 299D3XE Compact Track Loader and the Cat HM418 Mulcher’s hydraulics are tuned for hassle-free plug-and-play operation.

Bryce says having the machine and attachment interact seamlessly is a big win for ease-of-use, and streamlines the process of switching attachments – especially for any contractor with multiple operators on the tools.

“It’s one less thing to have to run your operators through, because there’s only one way it can be hooked up,” he says. “With this mulcher, you just hook every single hose into the machine, and it knows what to do as soon as you switch it on. It detects that it’s a high-flow attachment and engages high-flow automatically.

“So, there’s no worrying about whether you’ve got the right flow rate for the unit. It makes it a no-brainer to go with Cat attachments and Cat machines – it just takes all the guesswork out.”

According to Joel Newton, WesTrac Sales

Representative for Building Construction Products in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley region, this is just one of the reasons the package was the perfect choice for BKA Earthworx.

“Having the mulcher specifically tuned to the hydraulic output of the Cat 299D3XE is big for maximising productivity,” he says. “It’s also equipped with a hydraulic oil cooler, reversing fan, and a range of seals and guards that make it perfectly suited to Bryce’s application.

“The sealed and pressurised cab also keeps the operator cool, comfortable, and in a quiet working environment for long days in harsh conditions in applications such as mulching.”

Bryce can attest to how tiring a day of vegetation management under the Australian sun can be, but he says arming yourself with

Cat 299D3XE Land Management is equipped with a hydraulic oil cooler, reversing fan, and a range of seals and guards specifically for forestry applications.

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The productivity gains offered by the Cat 299D3XE Land Management gives Bryce more time to focus on doing his work and running business.

the right tools goes a long way.

“For any operator sitting in a cab all day long, it can be really fatiguing,” he says. “But the Cat machines offer a really great cab layout – everything is very simple to use, and it’s extremely comfortably to sit in for long hours.”

Peace of mind

Joel says Bryce is a great example of a customer who has made the move to Cat equipment based on the quality of the product, and stayed for the support on offer.

“We’ve found customers like Bryce will generally come back to buy their second and third machines due to the after-sales support you get at WesTrac,” Joel says. “This can consist of our FitFleet Customer Value Agreements for service, 24-hour parts ordering and availability, which combines to allow Bryce to focus on running his business and doing the work.”

Bryce says the added peace of mind this backup service provides is almost as valuable as the machinery itself.

“Coming from a maintenance background, I’m probably a little bit finicky and fussy about certain things, so I’ve previously done the majority of the maintenance on my own equipment,” he says. “But I can’t be in seven different places at once, so handing the maintenance side of things over to WesTrac with our FitFleet agreement has made life so much easier. When the agreed service interval comes around, they just call, ask when the machine’s available, and get it sorted.”

Stress-free parts ordering

Bryce sings a similar tune when it comes to ordering spare parts through the WesTrac web portal.

“When I'm at work all day long, I don't have

Bryce says there is a growing market for mulching services, rather than ‘traditional’ vegetation management practices using larger machinery.

the time to stress about ordering parts,” he says. “Often, you’re expected to jump on the phone during business hours – just another phone call I have to remember to make. But for Cat parts – say, something simple like teeth for the mulcher – I can jump onto my WesTrac Parts.cat.com account from any device, at any time of the day, and order the parts, and I know they’ll turn up and a couple of days’ time.

Bryce says his experience of having smart, reliable machinery paired with comprehensive support from WesTrac has the BKA Earthworx team already pondering its next piece of Cat gear.

“As a business owner, you have a million things to remember every day,” he says. “And the teams at Caterpillar and WesTrac make things a whole lot easier for me. They really do offer the full package.”

The Cat 299D3XE Land Management ticks every box for BKA Earthworx.

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Pairing Cat machinery with Cat attachments is a “no brainer”, according to Bryce.

Joel says the Cat 299D3XE Land Management was the perfect choice for the tough conditions the BKA Earthworx team faces every day.

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Dom Serrano of El Dorado Contractors values efficiency, family tradition, and high-quality machinery.

Family foundations Dom Serrano from El Dorado Contractors runs his business to optimise efficiency, flexibility, and family values. EEM learns why he’s chosen Kobelco excavators as the backbone of his operation.

In the competitive earthmoving world, El Dorado Contractors is testament to the enduring value of family, flexibility, and finding the right machinery for the job.

At the helm is Dom Serrano, a thirdgeneration earthmover who is steering the business into the future, while preserving a connection to its rich past.

An earthmoving legacy

The foundations of the El Dorado business were laid more than 40 years ago by Dom's grandfather. Today, its work is divided between two entities, though still under the same family banner.

“El Dorado started with my grandfather, Domenic Serrano, then the second generation was my dad John and my uncle Claude,” Dom says. “Now we’re into the third generation, with me and my best mate and business partner Renato Castro.

“The family has always been involved in earthmoving, initially focused on the transport, subdivision, and civil side of things. Then we branched out on our own as El Dorado Contractors, specialising in basement excavation and full basement retention systems.

“We offer the complete package, from piling to steel fixing, excavation, concrete works, and cartage with our own trucks.”

This arrangement has allowed Dom and Renato to lean into their area of expertise, while remaining connected to the business established by Dom’s grandfather.

“El Dorado Contractors is still part of the

El Dorado’s Dom Serrano (left) and Melbourne Tractors’ Shaun Pollard.

El Dorado group, so we’re maintaining the family legacy while operating as two separate companies,” he says.

According to Dom, his company's success is rooted in its flexibility and adaptability – qualities reflected in his skilled team. Each member is cross-trained to handle various tasks, from operating machinery to steel fixing, to driving trucks.

This multi-skilled workforce enables El Dorado Contractors to pivot as needed, ensuring that no day is the same and every

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project receives the full attention it requires.

“Everyone can do everything,” Dom says.

“And that means no time is wasted. Everyone can lend a hand when we need it, so if we need to get a project moving quickly, we can really knuckle down and get it done. We’ve found that’s been a real advantage for the business.”

The Kobelco generation

One area of the business where Dom and Renato have forged their own path has been the machinery they use. And drawing on

his experience operating a range of brands throughout his career, Dom decided on Kobelco as his excavator manufacturer of choice for El Dorado Contractors.

“I've always liked how Kobelco machines operated, so when we had the chance to purchase our own brand-new machines, we went down the Kobelco path,” he says.

“We've also chosen Kobelco because of the product quality, ease of servicing, machine comfort, fuel efficiency, and overall value for money they offer.

“And our operators appreciate their simplicity, user-friendliness, and effectiveness compared to other brands they’ve used. They’re comfortable to operate, and deliver heaps of power.”

El Dorado Contractors’ fleet includes everything from 5-tonne to 40-tonne excavators. But it’s the fleet’s latest additions that have Dom fired up about the future of his business: a Kobelco SK380SR and SK380XD, both purchased through local dealer Melbourne Tractors.

El Dorado, generations two and three: (L-R) Claude Serrano, Domenic Serrano, Renato Castro, and John Serrano.

Specialising in basement excavations, El Dorado Contractors offers comprehensive services from piling to cartage.

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El Dorado Contractors' workforce is crosstrained, ensuring flexibility on every project.

The Kobelco SK380XD is equipped for the toughest jobs and maximum productivity.

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Yellow handrails and reflective tape helps El Dorado's Kobelcos stand out.

“The SK380SR short radius is one of the best machines I've operated,” Dom says. “It’s highly versatile. It’s got the power for bigger jobs where you’ve got all the room that you need, and then it can also go into the little tightaccess jobs where you still need that bigger machine with the extra breakout.”

And for when El Dorado Contractors needs to crank up the power even further for the toughest jobs, that’s where the Kobelco SK380XD comes in. Built to quarry specifications, this 38-tonne machine delivers a 244kN bucket breakout force, and 120kN of slew torque. Dom says the SK380XD provides that extra bit of grunt to tackle bigger jobs.

“The SK380XD allows us to run oversized buckets and put a bigger hammer on it for breaking rock, which is great for productivity,” he says.

"One of my favourite things about it is the extra bracing on the track frame and double plating around the boom and hitch, which gives it the toughness needed for rock excavation jobs.

"It also looks the part. Kobelco have done a really good job with the cosmetics of their machines.”

El Dorado Contractors has had these machines customised with its signature branding, including logos, yellow handrails, reflective tape, and all the necessary accessories to ensure both operator comfort and operational efficiency.

“The team at Melbourne Tractors – especially my representative, Shaun Pollard – has been excellent to deal with,” Dom says.

Shaun says Melbourne Tractors takes pride in supporting family businesses as they grow.

El Dorado Contractors is growing steadily with Dom and Renato at the helm.

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Dom appreciates the Kobelco machines' combination of simplicity and power.

“We’ve been dealing with Shaun for five odd years, and it’s been a pleasure. He’s very helpful, as are the Melbourne Tractors and Kobelco teams.”

Shaun, who has represented Melbourne Tractors for 10 years, has become El Dorado’s trusted adviser in all things Kobelco.

“As another family-owned business, we at Melbourne Tractors take a lot of pride in working closely with our clients as they grow,” Shaun says.

“The El Dorado team is very professional about what they do, and they keep their gear in really good condition. Our job is to keep supporting them going forward – letting them know about any new products we’ve got coming though, but also keeping in touch with what projects they’ve got coming up as well.”

Continuing to build on the success Dom and his team have had with their recent SK380SR and SK380XD, Shaun says he is already discussing their next equipment purchase with them.

“It just reinforces their belief, not only in Melbourne Tractors as a dealer, but the Kobelco brand, which has been really helping them grow their business quickly,” Shaun says.

The Kobelco SK380SR is a versatile powerhouse for varied jobs in tight spaces.

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The drive to survive

There’s no denying Dom's passion for the industry. He believes that without a genuine love for the work, the challenges of weather,

wear and tear, the day-to-day demands of the job would be insurmountable. It's this passion that has helped El Dorado Contractors thrive and maintain its reputation for reliability and quality service.

“Since I was a little kid growing up, I always had the dream of owning my own machines with ‘El Dorado’ on the side of the boom,” Dom says. “And that’s what helps get me going every day. Because it is a tough industry, and if you haven’t got the passion for it, you’re not going to be in it for long.”

As El Dorado Contractors continues to grow and take on diverse projects across Victoria, it remains a family-first business at its core.

“We treat all our employees like family, we’re one big team – that’s key to who we are,” Dom says. “We’re all just here for an honest day’s work, and an honest day’s pay.”

This ethos positions El Dorado Contractors not just as an earthmoving business, but as a legacy carried forward by a passion for the industry and the bonds of family.

And if you ask Dom, he’ll tell you that solid partnerships with Kobelco and Melbourne Tractors also play a pivotal role.

“If you're looking to buy a new excavator, give the boys down at Melbourne Tractors a ring,” he says. “If you're looking for a machine that’s comfortable, affordable, and reliable, they’re the people to see.”

Customised with unique branding, El Dorado's fleet stands out for aesthetics as well as performance.

For El Dorado, the SK380XD's robust construction means tackling the toughest excavation jobs with confidence.

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Rodney oversees a fleet of essential equipment for Enviropacific’s projects.

Support by the bucketload

EEM checks in with the team at remediation experts Enviropacific, who are putting a custom Allu screening and crushing bucket from QLD Rock Breakers through its paces on a site in Western Sydney.

Enviropacific is a leading provider of environmentally-focused services to projects across Australia – from soil remediation to water and resource recovery.

“Enviropacific started approximately 22 years ago, in conjunction with Daracon Group, which is a company based out of Newcastle,” says Rodney Gray, Enviropacific’s National Plant and Fleet Manager.

“And from there, it grew up and opened an office in Sydney. And now we've got offices in all the major cities in Australia. We now employ a staff of around 250.

“We specialise in site remediation, treatment of PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances), asbestos and other hazardous waste management – basically any sort of remediation works.”

On any given job, the Enviropacific team typically utilises a range of machinery and attachments, including excavators and wheel loaders equipped with anything from hammers to shears. But Rodney points to the Enviropacific’s range of Allu buckets as some of the most important attachments to its operations.

Enviropacific’s customised Allu TS Screener Crusher bucket.

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“We currently have six Allu buckets in the fleet,” he says. “QLD Rock Breakers is our main to go-to supplier for these attachments – for anything from daily maintenance servicing to full overhauls. We've been dealing with them for seven or eight years now.”

Rodney says his team has stuck with QLD Rock Breakers for several reasons, a big one being the support coverage on offer.

“A lot of our work is in remote areas,” he says. “And QLD Rock Breakers services all those areas for us, and supplies us with local mechanics who can provide us with the service required to maintain the buckets.”

Custom care

QLD Rock Breakers, a subsidiary of machinery and excavator parts business RDW, is the exclusive dealer for Allu products in Queensland and the Northern Territory.

“We supply a wide range of hydraulic attachments and products to the earthmoving industry,” says Peter Muirhead, After Sales and Service at QLD Rock Breakers.

“We also have a full-service workshop with four dedicated service technicians, as well QLD Rock Breakers’ workshop can customise Allu buckets to customer specification.

Cross-state Allu service networks are crucial for Enviropacific's national project demands.

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Enviropacific has provided remediation solutions across Australia for more than two decades.

Allu buckets are a key element in Enviropacific’s remediation applications.

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Axe blade cutters have proven a game-changer for Enviropacific’s production rates.

Enviropacific’s Shaun Walshe (left) and Rodney Gray.

as capabilities for external servicing. And we carry an extensive range of parts and components for most makes and models of hydraulic attachments that we carry – from Allu buckets to Simex rotary cutters to Rammer rock breakers, and more.”

Enviropacific recently took delivery of a customised Allu TS Screener Crusher bucket, which was imported and assembled by QLD Rock Breakers before being carted down to NSW to work its magic in Western Sydney.

“It’s a standard Allu bucket that we’ve imported from Finland, brought into our workshop, then dismantled and rebuilt it with an axe blade configuration to suit Enviropacific’s specific application,” Peter says.

The axe blade cutters were chosen in place of straight cutters to help the Enviropacific team deal with difficult clay material, and the results so far have been positive.

“We were having issues with other buckets getting jammed up, and we couldn’t meet production rates – but this new bucket is doing the job for us,” Rodney says. “The idea is the axe blade cutters pull the material through as opposed to letting it jam up in the bucket.”

Shaun Walshe, one of Enviropacific’s experienced and multi-skilled operators, has been trialling the new Allu bucket on-site in Western Sydney, and says it has boosted their production dramatically.

“This bucket will grind up rocks, concrete, anything at all – and we’re flying through it,” he says. “If it wasn’t for this bucket, I’d be using a sifting bucket on the end of an excavator, which would take us 10 times longer.” www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au | EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE 87

QLD Rock Breakers is the exclusive dealer for Allu in Queensland and the NT.

Extra miles

Peter says QLD Rock Breakers and RDW place a great deal of importance on establishing relationships for the long haul – an ethos he

says everyone working at the company buys into.

“RDW started in 1988, and we still regularly deal with customers we’ve had from the very

Peter from QLD Rock Breakers ensures even discontinued Allu models stay operational for Enviropacific.

start,” he says.

“That’s something we’re very proud of, and all our employees are all on the same page. It’s a total earthmoving equipment solution that we provide – from the initial phone call to the aftersales support, servicing, and spare parts.”

For products crossing state lines, just like Enviropacific’s latest, Peter says an extended service network of Allu dealers ensures a skilled and knowledgeable expert is never far away.

“Enviropacific has a national presence in pretty much every major centre in Australia, so they need to know their Allu products will be looked after, wherever the job,” Peter says.

Rodney says the team at QLD Rock Breakers has repeatedly gone above and beyond in their support – especially important considering the sort of time-sensitive projects that Enviropacific undertakes regularly.

“I can’t really complain about the backup support from QLD Rock Breakers, to be honest with you,” he says.

“There’s one older Allu bucket that we’ve had in our fleet for probably eight years, a discontinued model, with very limited parts availability for it. We got it to Peter at QLD Rock Breakers, and he managed to source parts for us – even though a lot of the parts were discontinued ¬– and do a complete rebuild.

“So, a big thank you to them for keeping us going. A lot of the work we do is on airports, so it’s critical that we have continuation of work, and that our operations aren’t held up by an issue with our equipment.

“QLD Rock Breakers provides us with that service, and that limits our downtime.”

About Allu Manufactured in Finland, the Allu screener crusher bucket range is among the widest spanning on the market, with units available to fit almost any base machine – from the compact DL Series, that suits excavators from four to 12 tonnes, through to the M Series, which will fit excavators up to 160 tonnes and 88 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

wheel loaders up to 90 tonnes.

Allu’s extensive range of products is distributed to more than 30 countries around the world and are available across Australia throughout the authorised dealership network, which will also conduct any maintenance required.

For more information contact the Allu dealer in your state: • QLD and NT – QLD Rockbreakers: www. rdw.com.au/qld-rock-breakers • NSW– Allu Area Manager - Australia: sami. rahman@allu.net • VIC, SA and TAS – Walkers Hammers: www.walkershammers.com.au • WA – Total Rockbreaking Solutions: www. totalrockbreaking.com.au Or visit www.attachmentspecialists.com. au/allu for contact details.

Shaun says the new Allu bucket grinds up rocks and concrete with ease.

A commitment to long-term relationships fuels Allu dealer QLD Rock Breakers' success.

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KOBELCO XD SERIES The new XD Series is engineered for the most demanding applications. Built on Kobelco’s rock-solid reputation for quality and reliability, these extreme duty machines feature a rugged machine body with comprehensive additional reinforcement where it matters most.

These machines take strength and durability to an all new level – delivering increased performance across even the harshest work sites.

Built for power. Built for reliability. Built to last. The new Kobelco XD Series.

Extra Heavy Duty Extreme Duty Reinforcement

Powerful Tractive Effort Class Leading Drawbar Force

Extreme Digging Power Class Leading Bucket Breakout

Fast Cycle Times Unbeatable Digging Performance

Heavyweight Stability SK380XD: 38,000 kg SK500XD: 52,200kg

High Fuel Efficiency* SK380XD: 19 L/hr SK500XD: 28 L/hr

*Average fuel consumption as reported by telematics data from similar size class Kobelco excavators working in Australia and New Zealand. Data reported includes only machines with over 10 hours per month, including data from all work modes.

@kobelcoaustralia

kobelco.com.au | 1300 562 352

Cooper Civil specialises in GPS excavation on major infrastructure projects across Queensland and beyond.

Rotation sensation

Cooper Civil is making the most of a 3D-enabled Cat® 315 Next Gen Excavator by pairing it with a Cat TRS10 Tiltrotator. EEM learns the productivity benefits of operating in an all-Cat ecosystem.

Since 2015, Cooper Civil has aimed to distinguish itself from other civil contractors in South East Queensland by offering precision earthmoving solutions using the latest technology.

Its fleet of GPS-equipped Cat Next Gen excavators combined with a wide range of hitches and attachments are testament to this commitment, and gives the business the flexibility to execute a wide range of services – from road construction and civil infrastructure projects to bulk earthworks and environmental rehabilitation.

This has helped Cooper Civil work with several tier one construction companies on the delivery of several major infrastructure projects across Queensland, including contributions to multiple Bruce Highway Upgrade projects.

“We specialise in final trim GPS excavation on major infrastructure projects all around the Brisbane area,” says Director Rhys Cooper.

“And we’ve been doing so for nearly seven years.”

Based on his enthusiasm for all things construction technology, Rhys says he had been excited by the flexibility and versatility of tiltrotators since he first saw them doing the rounds on social media – and quickly added them to his fleet wish list.

“I knew that a tiltrotator combined with a good final trim excavator operator would just take our services to the next level for our clients,” he says.

Not long after, Cooper Civil’s first foray into tiltrotators started with another brand. But

Rhys Cooper likes to keep up with the latest technology to ensure Cooper Civil can deliver efficiently for clients.

according to Rhys, a number of small but annoying compatibility issues prevented his team from fully capitalising on the potential of the technology.

“When we were entertaining the idea of getting another tiltrotator to go with a new 15-tonne Cat Next Gen excavator, the Hastings Deering team mentioned that Caterpillar had their own tiltrotators too,” Rhys says. “And they quickly sold me on the idea that it would be a one-stop shop, which I was excited about – the

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fact that you can go to Hastings and get all your answers under one roof.”

Access all areas

Scott Roberts, one of Cooper Civil’s experienced operators, is no stranger to tiltrotators – and he’s a big fan.

“I’ve probably racked up about 1000 hours now on tiltrotators,” he says. “I love everything about them. They make every job a lot quicker.”

Scott has recently been hard at work

operating one of Cooper Civil’s new Next Gen excavators – a Cat 315 3D – packaged with the new TRS10 Tiltrotator. He says the seamless integration between attachment and machine has made his job easier than ever.

“It’s incredible – being able to get to those hard-to-reach places or those last little angles that you usually can’t reach, it’s just a matter of rotate and then it’s done,” Scott says. “And less time setting up means more production.

The controls are unbelievably smooth too – it’s surprising how many movements you can do at once with this thing.”

Rhys credits this smoothness to the TRS10’s seamless integration with the Cat 315 – which he calls “the Rolls Royce” of 15-tonne excavators.

“The TRS10 paired with the 315 is just insane,” he says. “With the 315’s auxiliary hydraulic flow, you’ve got everything you need to easily make multiple movements at once.”

The TRS10 can be fully controlled through a single touchscreen in the excavator’s cab.

The Cat TRS10 Tiltrotator integrates seamlessly with Cat Next Gen Excavators.

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Rhys describes the Cat 315 as “the Rolls Royce” of 15-tonne excavators.

Rhys says being able to tilt and rotate a bucket simultaneously can streamline a range of projects that would typically involve a great deal of swapping attachments, moving an excavator around, and other fiddly adjustments.

“Especially chasing out corners, working on V drains, stuff like that,” he says. “Sometimes you’ll go through and bulk a job out, then just spin the bucket around smooth it over just like that – job’s done.”

Smooth operation

The TRS10 allows 40-degree tilt on each side.

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Glen Tati is Hastings Deering’s Global Construction and Infrastructure Sales Representative for the Sunshine Coast. He’s worked with Rhys for several years, and has developed a solid understanding of the Cooper Civil business and how it works.

“When Rhys first came to me chasing a new Cat 315, knowing his business and the applications he works in, we suggested the TRS10 as a possible option,” he says.

Given Rhys’ past experience with tiltrotators, and some of the performance issues he’d experienced, Glen suggested an all-Cat package could be just the right solution for Cooper Civil.

“Rhys has always been a big advocate for the Cat Next Gen platform, and for having the latest and greatest technology in the market,” Glen

Both attachment and machine can be controlled from the same integrated touchscreen.

says. “So the TRS10 was a no-brainer for him.

“The fact that it’s fully integrated with the machine, and having it backed by Caterpillar and Hastings Deering as a single unit was something that really interested him. It made it a pretty easy decision for Rhys to make.”

Glen says pairing the TRS10 with a Cat excavator also makes for an extremely frictionless experience for operators.

“It’s a plug-and-play system,” he says.

“Once it’s connected to the machine, it’s fully integrated. It’s all on one screen, fully controlled by the operator in the cab.”

Combined with a range of time-saving smart functions such as Return to Home and Bucket Shake, Glen says the TRS10’s comprehensive feature set can help streamline operations in any application.

“It’s got continuous rotation, 40-degree full motion tilt, as well as the quick coupler functionality, which lets you easily swap between multiple attachments.”

Under one roof

For a business like Cooper Civil that prides itself on keeping up with the latest and greatest in construction technology, Rhys says being

Cat dealership Hastings Deering provides a one-stop shop for all Cat machinery and attachments.

The TRS10 gets the thumbs-up from Cooper Civil’s operators.

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Quick-coupler functionality allows operators to change attachments quickly and easily.

The Cat TRS10 Tiltrotator, by the numbers

The TRS10 can boost productivity for a range of applications, from road construction to water works.

Machine class

10-15 tonne excavators

Weight

448kg

Interface options: topbottom

Pin-on / S60

Overall height

1050mm

Length

790mm

Overall width

690mm

Building height

530mm

Tilt angle range +/-

40 degrees left/right

Maximum bucket capacity

0.8 cubic metres

Maximum bucket width

1600mm

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able to count on the support of dealers and manufacturers is paramount. And he says that’s exactly what the Hastings Deering team provided as his team found its feet with the TRS10.

“Because it’s the latest technology, we obviously had a few things we had to work through at the beginning while we got familiar with it – but Hastings Deering had us under control,” Rhys says.

“They really are a one-stop shop. It’s only ever one phone call to their tech support guy Ryan, and he’ll go through everything with us to get any problem sorted instantly.”

And for those behind the controls, Scott says operating with the TRS10 has made a job that he already loves even better.

“I really enjoy using the TRS10,” he says. “It’s incredible – it’s made my job a lot easier, and makes me actually love my job a lot more.”

For Rhys, this enthusiasm alone goes a long way to justifying the purchase.

“For me, purchasing the TRS10 and putting it on a Cat 315 Next Gen – if I was looking to work for someone, that’s what I’d want to drive,” he says. “I want to attract the best operators in this industry, like Scott. And if I look after them, I know they’ll look after me.

“I geek out on tech like this, and I don’t even get to drive it. So to hear the enthusiasm these guys have to turn up every day, and be blown away by what they can do with these machines – it actually gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.”

EQUIPMENT & PRODUCT REVIEWS

ARTICULATED DUMP TRUCKS

Back-to-back with Rokbak Sydney’s DSA Contracting has been so impressed with the Rokbak RA30 articulated hauler, that the company has already ordered another to join its fleet. subdivision site, with the RA30 tasked with material handling.

The RA30's features – including its robust hauling capacity and exceptional off-road performance – will enable DSA Contracting to complete the necessary earthworks and infrastructure development with precision and speed.

The RA30 has been designed for ease of operation through incorporation of hydrostatic power steering, automatic transmission, and independent suspension. High-grade front and rear steel frames articulate 45 degrees to either side for increased manoeuvrability on muddy ground.

Powered by a 370hp (276kW) Scania DC9 engine, the RA30 has a 28-tonne maximum payload and eight-speed transmission, with a top forward speed of 55km/h. At Westwood, it is required to move approximately 1000 tonnes of construction materials a day.

DSA Contracting specialises in high-quality construction and infrastructure projects across Sydney.

DSA Contracting is a leading civil contracting company based across north and southwestern Sydney, specialising in delivering high-quality construction and infrastructure projects across the region. Formed in 2008, it has grown to boast a workforce of around 60 employees and more than 70 pieces of top-quality equipment, which it deploys on a range of multi-milliondollar projects.

Rokbak articulated haulers are set to play a pivotal role in ongoing operations for DSA Contracting, after its first RA30 quickly convinced in its role assisting a large housing development in southwestern Sydney.

The RA30 may be a recent addition to DSA Contracting’s fleet but, due to the articulated hauler’s success, another is already on the civil contracting solutions company’s order book.

Renowned for its superior performance, versatility, and durability, the straightforward approach to the RA30’s aesthetic and functionality made the articulated dump truck stand out in DSA Contracting’s purchase process with trusted dealer Porter Group.

“This was our first machine from Porter Group, and what they’ve sold in this machine we’re really happy with,” says DSA Contracting CEO Daniel Aplin. “So much so, we’ve just ordered another one.

“It’s been fantastic. It out-performs its competitors with its drivability. The fuel burn in particular has been very impressive – it’s half of some of its competitors.”

Rokbak’s fuel-efficient drivetrains deliver powerful performance and meet worldwide emission standards with low cost of operation and low environmental impact.

Further reducing total cost of ownership is Rokbak’s Haul Track telematics system, which has simplified operation and maintenance for DSA Contracting. Haul Track provides access

to GPS and location tracking data as well as a range of downloadable daily performance reports detailing machine hours, engine speed, idle time, and system fault code alerts.

This allows maintenance checks to be planned well in advance and more efficiently, maximising uptime and prolonging component cycles. With ground-level test points, a fully tilting cab, and an electronically raised hood, daily checks couldn’t be simpler.

Doing the hard work

The powerful Rokbak RA30 hauler is designed to handle the most demanding of tasks, making it the ideal addition to DSA Contracting’s fleet.

One of the first assignments for the RA30 has been the Westwood housing development estate, a 150-lot project in Caddens, in Sydney’s west. DSA Contracting was awarded the contract for earthworks and infrastructure for the substantial residential development, which is located next to the Kingswood campus of Western Sydney University. It is a $15 million

DSA Contracting has ordered a second Rokbak RA30 after the success of their first.

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On the rise down under

DSA Contracting’s Rokbak purchases exemplify the Scottish articulated hauler manufacturer’s increasing presence in large-scale construction and infrastructure projects in Australia.

“Australia has a significant demand for dump trucks and the Rokbak brand is continuing to strengthen here, with more and more trucks out working for customers,” says Rokbak Regional Business Manager Lee Irving. “The fact that DSA Contracting has ordered another RA30 so soon just proves what a great hauler this is.”

“At the end of the day we buy a machine to get 100 per cent running time out of it, with little to no downtime,” says Daniel. “That’s what we require out of the machine and that is what we’ve been getting with this Rokbak.

“Essentially, we’re a civil contractor, but a big thing for us is we are able to produce quality projects time and time again.

“We’ve grown steadily, and we have the simple focus on delivering quality projects.

Having a product like the Rokbak helps us achieve that.”

C D t C D t r

r

Carved by a lifetime of hard work, Rokbak articulated haulers are built to perform.

Day after day. Decade after decade. From the heat of the desert to the cold of the arctic, can rely on Rokbak.

Carved by you a lifetime of hard work, Rokbak articulated haulers are built to perform.

Day after day. Decade after decade. From the heat of the desert to the cold of the arctic, you can rely on Rokbak. rokbak.com rokbak.com

EQUIPMENT & PRODUCT REVIEWS

ARTICULATED DUMP TRUCKS The A60H's long service life, quality, reliability, and durability are everything you'd expect from a Volvo.

Haul-powerful: the Volvo A60H Volvo Construction Equipment’s new A60H Articulated Hauler is packed with all the latest features and technology to optimise performance and operator comfort.

In the world of heavy machinery, where performance, durability and productivity are paramount, Volvo has long been a trusted name. Their commitment to innovation and excellence is showcased perfectly in the Volvo A60H Articulated Hauler. Designed for heavy hauling in severe off-road operations, including quarries, opencast mines, and large earthmoving operations, the A60H's long service life, quality, reliability, and durability are everything you'd expect from a Volvo, making hauling easier and more efficient.

The A60H is the largest articulated hauler on the market, and when coupled with Volvo's advanced productivity services like Haul Assist and Caretrack, it's revolutionising the construction industry.

The A60H features the D16F engine, known for its fuel efficiency, and is a favourite among Volvo equipment users. This engine is celebrated for providing exceptional tonnesper-litre fuel efficiency and outstanding productivity. This engine provides the essential power and torque required for effortless handling of substantial payloads.

Additionally, the A60H comes equipped with an active hydraulic front suspension system that enables high-speed hauling even in challenging conditions. This system allows the front suspension to react actively to uneven surfaces, improving traction and stability, which is crucial when hauling heavy loads or rough terrain.

By actively adjusting the front suspension, the system optimises operator comfort by reducing

Volvo CE's Co-Pilot system encompasses various safety functions.

the impact of vibrations and jolts, providing a smoother ride, and reducing operator fatigue. It also enhances the machine's ability to maintain control and stability at higher hauling speeds in challenging conditions.

Equipped with advanced technology, the A60H ensures that operators have the tools they need to optimise their performance and boost efficiency. This is where Volvo's productivity services come into play, adding an extra layer of intelligence to the machine.

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Haul Assist: The smart way to optimise performance

Volvo Co-Pilot serves as the central command hub for all Volvo Assist platforms. This stateof-the-art device leverages the potential of onboard machine data and high-precision sensors to streamline tasks, leading to substantial reductions in completion times. Co-Pilot's userfriendly interface ensures operators can quickly initiate projects with just a few simple taps, selecting the required job parameters effortlessly.

EQUIPMENT & PRODUCT REVIEWS

ARTICULATED DUMP TRUCKS As part of the suite of Volvo Assist platforms, Haul Assist provides real-time information on the machine's performance, productivity, and fuel efficiency. Operators can make informed decisions to enhance their hauler's capabilities, ensuring that every load is moved with precision and with minimal impact on the environment.

Haul Assist also has several optional features such as onboard weighing (OBW), tyre-pressure monitoring and haul assist map, among others.

The OBW system continuously monitors payload weight and transmits this data to the machine electronics, preventing overloading, unnecessary wear and tear, tyre damage, and excessive fuel consumption. The OBW system also enables operators to monitor their loads, track all transported materials to specific dump zones, record various material types, and monitor productivity data with the option to set individual targets.

Volvo's tyre-pressure system is designed to monitor and manage the air pressure in the vehicle's tyres to enhance safety, improve fuel efficiency, extend tyre life, and reduce overall operating costs.

Volvo CE's Co-Pilot system also encompasses various safety functions designed to reduce the risk of accidents and enhance overall worksite safety. The strategically positioned display minimises operator interactions with fewer on-screen menus, enabling them to concentrate on immediate tasks. By establishing predefined operational boundaries, Volvo Co-Pilot promptly notifies the operator through auditory and visual cues. This intelligent technology improves safety and decreases the necessity for extra personnel on-site by reducing physical movement around the machinery.

Additionally, fleet managers can upgrade to ActiveCare, the next step up from CareTrack, allowing them to gain additional insights into their machines. ActiveCare provides customers with weekly ActiveCare Reports, offering insights into how their machines are being used and where uptime could be improved.

The advice provided in the ActiveCare reports can assist customers in making changes to their working methods that could have a positive impact on productivity and profitability.

Alerts from the report can indicate the risk of premature component wear and future breakdowns if left unaddressed. ActiveCare can also provide a summary of the machine's technical status and identify alterations in operating behaviour that may be affecting the machine's health.

Based on these ActiveCare Reports, CJD Equipment can initiate a case if there are technical issues that require priority attention.

This case may encompass a comprehensive examination of the machine's software, suggestions for improving operator behaviour where applicable, recommendations for reducing CO2 emissions, and any other pertinent information gleaned from the ActiveCare reports.

Finally, CareTrack and ActiveCare provide crucial insights into the machine's operational uptime at various stages of its life cycle. These insights facilitate proactive service planning

and advance spare parts ordering, ultimately minimising downtime – an invaluable resource.

Effortless Volvo maintenance

Maintaining the A60H is a swift and straightforward process, featuring exceptional accessibility as the front grill lowers to unveil a service platform equipped with anti-slip steps. Furthermore, the electric hood opens to a 90-degree angle, ensuring complete and secure access to the engine compartment.

With a solid commitment to providing high levels of service to ensure the best experience and highest productivity from the end user, CJD Equipment spares no expense when it comes to equipment the company supplies.

CJD operates 20 branches across Australia with over 100 field service staff and 150 workshop staff.

The company also has an additional 15 resident field service technicians and over 20 product support and aftersales support staff to support customers nationally. Additionally, CJD offers an after-hours call-out service that is available 24 hours, seven days a week.

The A60H is available for purchase across Australia. To enquire about stock or the range of additional add-on options, please get in touch with your local CJD Equipment branch on 1300 139 804 or visit: www.cjd.com.au

Caretrack: Monitoring your machine's data

Caretrack, another essential part of Volvo's productivity services, provides the critical data needed to ensure the A60H is operating at its peak. This telematics system delivers real-time information on the machine's health and performance, offering insights into fuel consumption, utilisation, and excessive idling to enhance operational efficiency.

CJD Equipment is now offering a complimentary ten-year free standard CareTrack connectivity package on new Volvo GPPE machines.

Caretrack also helps with preventative maintenance. By continuously monitoring the hauler's condition, it can identify issues before they become critical, reducing downtime, and increasing productivity.

To safeguard investments and mitigate theft risks, Caretrack provides an optional anti-theft tracking system. Various events trigger this system, including unauthorised machine use, tampering, movement detection, and geofencing functions. In the event of unauthorised use, the system allows for remote immobilisation of the machine, ensuring asset security.

Volvo Co-Pilot serves as the central command hub for all Volvo Assist platforms.

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EQUIPMENT & PRODUCT REVIEWS

ARTICULATED DUMP TRUCKS MTS has five Bell 2806E Water Trucks in service, with seven more on order.

The wetter the better Lucas Cilia has trusted Hitachi Construction Machinery Australia (HCA) for his heavy machinery needs for years, so he knew what to expect when HCA recommended adding Bell 2806E Water Trucks to his fleet.

Lucas Cilia started MTS Hire & Sales in 2010, initially as a side project while working in the marine and mining construction and demolition industry. Backed by his years of experience developed alongside his father, Lucas transitioned to full-time dedication to MTS in 2016.

Since then, the company has evolved exponentially, growing its fleet from just two machines to more than 200 today.

“In 2016, I moved away from the marine industry and started full time for MTS, growing the business on the mining and civil side,” Lucas says. “I have been sole director, and have loved seeing the business grow from just two machines to where it is today, with more than 200 machines in our fleet.

“I’ve really enjoyed the journey, the challenge, and the diversity of the industry – no two days are the same.”

MTS has also diversified its operations into the manufacture of its own plant attachments, including a range of buckets, hydraulic attachments from grabs and grapples to 4-in-1 buckets and augers, and even more specialised

Lucas (pictured) has enjoyed a productive relationship with HCA for more than a decade.

attachments such as rippers, rakes, and specially developed buckets for rail sleepers.

But according to Lucas, the core mission of the MTS business is to deliver premium, highquality wet and dry hire plant and equipment.

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“We pride ourselves in having Australia’s largest hire fleet of long-reach excavators, as well as wheel loaders, compact track loaders, skid steers, dozers, tipper trucks, compaction equipment, graders, GPS equipment, and

EQUIPMENT & PRODUCT REVIEWS

ARTICULATED DUMP TRUCKS much more,” he says.

“Our fleet of low-hour and late-model plant and equipment sets us apart. We have no old plant at all in our fleet. We also take pride in our premium field service team and our family business orientation – we look after our staff, so we feel like an extended family.”

Back to the water

One piece of equipment that Lucas says MTS has been getting great mileage out of recently is the Bell 2806E Water Truck – a specialised articulated dump truck designed for the transport and distribution of water for construction and mining applications.

Built with a 16,000-litre capacity reinforced steel tank, heavy-duty axles, Allison transmission, and powered by a 205kW (275hp) Mercedes Benz engine, the 2806E has been designed to withstand the sort of tough conditions Australia is notorious for.

“We have five Bell 2806E Water Trucks out in the field currently, and have another seven due to be delivered throughout the next 12 months,” he says. “These are used to assist with dust suppression for clients, who have so far been over the moon with the ease of operation and reliability of the trucks.”

Lucas’ decision to add the Bell brand to his fleet was largely based on his existing relationship with Hitachi Construction

Machinery Australia (HCA), which is the sole distributor for the South African machinery manufacturer down under.

Having developed a strong preference for the power and reliability of Hitachi excavators and wheel loaders over his career, Lucas trusted HCA to steer him in the right direction with Bell as well – and he hasn’t looked back.

“I have worked closely with HCA since 2010,” he says. “The team there has supported and backed up my company throughout the years,

and I wouldn’t have been able to deliver such a premium service to my clients without them in the background to assist at times needed.

“And since we’ve added the Bell trucks, HCA has continued to deliver exception service and support. I’d highly recommend them to the Australian industry over any other.”

To explore HCA’s Hitachi and Bell equipment range, visit: www.hitachicm.com.au

A powerful engine and heavy-duty axles help the Bell 2806E stand up to Australia’s toughest conditions.

The Bell 2806E’s reinforced steel tank boasts a 16,000-litre capacity.

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EQUIPMENT & PRODUCT REVIEWS

ARTICULATED DUMP TRUCKS

Helping to achieve a lower total cost of ownership, Equipment Tracking provides insights to help mines better manage their assets.

New Cat® 777 (05) Water Solutions Truck An integrated solution for maintaining haul roads.

Properly watered haul roads directly impact fleet cycle times and the ability to meet production targets. As haul-road dust takes a toll on safety and productivity at mines and quarries, the water truck is one of the most important pieces of support equipment at the site. The new Cat® 777 (05) Water Solutions Truck provides an integrated solution to help reduce haul-road dust by solving overwatering and underwatering issues.

Ready-to-go package

The new 777 (05) is built on the Cat 777E truck platform, proven at mine, quarry and construction sites globally. An innovative truck that uses less water for controlling haul-road dust, the design integrates the truck, tank, and water delivery system, connected with technology. Its Cat Water Delivery System (WDS) combines with Cat MineStar Edge™ connectivity to help operations manage the site more safely and productively with flexible levels of technology to meet site needs.

Boasting a 75,700-litre (20,000-gallon) Cat-branded water tank, the 777 (05) comes complete with spray system, splash guards, fill chute and rock ejectors. It is powered by the 765kW (1026hp) Cat C32B engine that meets China Nonroad Stage III emission standards, equivalent to US EPA Tier 2.

The new 777 (05) is an innovative truck that uses less water for controlling haul-road dust.

Cat Water Delivery System

The new water truck’s exclusive Cat WDS features a self-contained hydraulic system that controls spray patterns independent of engine RPM for consistent watering. Variable water flow, based on the truck’s speed, automatically starts and stops when the truck slows or comes to a halt, preventing overwatering and subsequent poor traction at road intersections.

The pump features soft startups and automatically shuts off when the tank is empty

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to prevent system damage.

WDS components include a water cannon, oil cooler, variable-displacement pump, hydraulic oil tank, electronic control boxes and hydraulic motor/water pump. Covering up to a 24m (80ft) wide road in a single pass, the system sprays at rates reaching 0.8l/m2 (0.2 gal/ft2) at speeds from 4kph to 40kph (3mph to 25mph). With its maximum 61m (200ft) spray distance, the truck’s water cannon offers a maximum flow rate reaching 4732l/min (1,250gal/min).

EQUIPMENT & PRODUCT REVIEWS

ARTICULATED DUMP TRUCKS Factory-installed, ergonomic water controls are integrated into the truck’s design for convenient system operation. Its innovative automated water-delivery feature enables the operator to remain focused on-site traffic and driving to enhance safety. Complete with auto shut-off to prevent overfilling, the water tank is filled remotely, allowing the operator to remain inside the cab during the cycle to reduce potential operator slips and falls.

Scalable technology with Cat MineStar Edge

Flexible levels of the cloud-based MineStar Edge technology are integrated with the Cat WDS to collect and communicate machine data, allowing site supervisors to monitor the water truck to know where and when it’s spraying water. Asset-management options include productivity, water use, fuel- and water-tank levels, when and where to apply water, geofencing, asset location, and remote management of water distribution.

Providing tracking capabilities without the need for infrastructure investment, Edge Equipment Tracking delivers basic connectivity without interfering with existing fleet management systems. Helping to achieve a lower total cost of ownership, Equipment Tracking provides insights to help mines better manage their assets. It features service meter readings, fuelling and recording data, location accuracy and replay, time utilisation tracking with downtime and operator tracking, automatic stoppage measurement, and health event recording.

Paired with Equipment Tracking, MineStar Edge Production Recording delivers premium connectivity with an accurate and automated near-real-time measurement solution that reports on every aspect of the watering cycle without requiring operator input. Giving visibility to the entire operation, it helps to discover opportunities for improving productivity. This premium package also includes water use by truck/fill station, volume and rate of water put

down over time and area covered, waterdelivery system setting by location, truck, and conditions, activity breakdown with time and distance – watering, not watering, stopped, etc.

Supported by Cat dealers

This integrated system with Cat-branded tank options is fully supported by the Cat dealer and parts network. Covered by the Caterpillar factory standard warranty, the water truck, including tank and components, is eligible for Cat equipment protection plans (EPP) and customer value agreements (CVAs). Cat dealer installation of the integrated system is available, and platforms in the field have planned availability in the future.

More information about the new Cat 777 (05) Water Solutions Truck from Cat OEM Solutions can be found by contacting a Cat dealer or visiting www.cat.com/watersolutions-au

Complete with auto shut-off to prevent overfilling, the water tank is filled remotely, allowing the operator to remain inside the cab.

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FEATURE TOPIC

SUSTAINABILITY IN EARTHMOVING

Liebherr's L 546 wheel loader can feature active personnel detection and automatic braking.

Driving innovation with Liebherr Liebherr is spearheading innovation in the construction and quarrying sectors with the latest machine control systems, alternative drive technologies, and performance-optimised equipment.

As digitalisation and environmental sustainability redefine and reshape the landscape of earthmoving, German heavy machinery manufacturer Liebherr is always looking to keep a step ahead. Through a blend of cutting-edge machine control systems and pioneering drive technologies, Liebherr is looking not just to keep pace with the industry's evolution but actively drive it forward, crafting a blueprint for future development that resonates with markets around the world.

Digital assistance

Liebherr’s partnership with Leica Geosystems has birthed a suite of semi-automatic machine control systems, which are game changers in operational efficiency and accuracy. Now available for Generation 8 crawler excavators, including models R 922 to R 945, these systems come in 2D and 3D configurations.

They are meticulously integrated during the production process, resulting in pre-calibrated

machines ready to undertake tasks with reduced downtime and heightened precision.

These systems enable operators to execute tasks with real-time data-driven guidance, significantly improving the quality of work and ensuring safety.

For operators, the distinction between passive and semi-automatic operation is clear and impactful. While passive systems require manual adherence to display indications, the semi-automatic mode propels machine efficiency by automating the removal process.

Operators simply manage the joystick for stick movements and speed, while the system takes care of the rest, aligning equipment movements to craft the desired profile seamlessly.

What’s more, Liebherr's control systems provide versatility: the 2D "3D-ready" variants, initially designed for flat and sloping surfaces, can be upgraded to full-fledged 3D control systems, offering a path towards greater technological adoption without immediate,

106 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

complete overhaul—ensuring that businesses can scale their capabilities as needed.

Loading up on performance

Elsewhere in Liebherr’s range, Generation 8 wheel loaders, including the L 526, L 538, and L 546 models, have been re-engineered for superior performance. Boasting up to 20 per cent more engine power and enhanced breakout forces compared to the previous generation, these loaders are well-equipped for the most arduous tasks and tough conditions.

The wheel loaders are designed with improved z-bar kinematics, more robust hydraulic cylinders, and powerful working pumps that combine to facilitate rapid, dynamic working movements. In a market that demands equipment that can ensure uptime and reliability, the new mid-sized Liebherr wheel loaders’ capabilities align perfectly with industry expectations.

In addition to mechanical enhancements,

FEATURE TOPIC

SUSTAINABILITY IN EARTHMOVING

The H966 hydrogen engine from Liebherr sets a new standard for eco-friendly, heavy-duty performance in off-road applications.

Liebherr’s wheel loaders are also equipped with advanced assistive technologies. The L 546’s active personnel detection system exemplifies Liebherr’s dedication to safety, using intelligent sensors to distinguish between humans and objects, and aiding operators with visual and auditory alerts. This feature, coupled with an automatic brake assistant, is crucial for busy Australian quarrying and construction sites, reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing overall site safety.

Liebherr also offers customisations such as the High Lift arms for specific industry challenges, ensuring versatility across various operations including quarrying and recycling. The Solidlink quick-coupler system further underscores the flexibility of Liebherr equipment, allowing for fast, safe attachment changes to elevate productivity and operational efficiency.

is particularly relevant in an Australian context, where remote and extensive construction sites are common, and the need for efficient fuelling solutions is crucial.

A multi-pronged approach

Not resting on its hydrogen laurels, Liebherr

continues to explore the realm of electrification with vehicles such as the R 976 E electric crawler excavator and the LH 26 M Industry E material handling machine. These electric powerhouses are perfect for stationary work where they can be connected to the power grid, and with options like the mobility kit for the LH 26 M Industry E, they can extend their range through rechargeable batteries.

The introduction of the L 507 E, Liebherr's first battery-electric wheel loader, is another testament to the company's progressive outlook on sustainability, presenting an ecofriendly option that does not sacrifice power or performance. It embodies a design optimised for manoeuvrability and dynamic energy delivery.

Additionally, Liebherr’s research has already yielded engines that are compatible with alternative fuels such as HVOs (hydrotreated vegetable oils) and e-Fuels, bridging the gap to climate neutrality in a tangible, immediately implementable way. And for countries like Australia, with its vast and challenging landscape, innovations such as these are essentials for maintaining competitive and sustainable operations.

For more information, visit: www.liebherr.com.au or contact 1800 033 300

Towards a cleaner future

Beyond optimising for productivity, Liebherr is also committed to reducing the carbon footprints of the industries it serves – as evidenced by the recent reveal of the R 9XX H2 prototype, the first crawler excavator with a hydrogen combustion engine. According to the manufacturer, its performance rivals that of traditional diesel engines, but with the benefits of fast refuelling and operational independence from fixed power sources.

At the heart of the R 9XX H2, the Liebherrdeveloped H966 hydrogen combustion engine, with its intake manifold injection technology, demonstrates the future potential of hydrogen power. And the company’s research into direct injection options underscores the company's dedication to sustainability in heavy-duty, offroad applications – particularly in demanding environments.

Another recent development, The MAX Mobile Refueler – an innovative venture with Maximator Hydrogen GmbH – epitomises convenience and safety in hydrogen refuelling, addressing one of the significant barriers to the adoption of hydrogen power. This solution

Integrated with advanced Leica Geosystems technology on select models, Liebherr’s Generation 8 excavators offer real-time 3D modelling for enhanced machine control and operational accuracy.

Select Liebherr excavator models equipped with Leica Geosystems' semi-automatic control are paving the way for a digitised and streamlined construction process.

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FEATURE TOPIC

SUSTAINABILITY IN EARTHMOVING

Electric machinery gives contractors the flexibility to work indoors.

On the charge JCB’s range of electric construction equipment continues to grow, and the Australian market is starting to take notice.

With sustainability an increasingly hot topic in the construction world, equipment manufacturers like JCB are working hard to provide viable alternatives to traditional diesel engines.

And as evident in its Road to Zero sustainability strategy and action plan, JCB has long been at the forefront of innovation in alternative fuel sources.

JCB unvailed the first models in its fully electric range in 2018 and since then, the machines have been gradually making their way to Australian shores. This started in 2019 with the arrival of the first JCB 19-C1E – the industry’s first fully electric mini excavator.

The JCB 19-C1E has since been joined by electric access platforms, an electric site dumpster, and more.

Greg Sealey, General Manager of Distribution at CEA, says alternative fuel powered machinery is where the global markets are going, but expects it will be a gradual

transformation.

“When it comes to electric machinery, as with motor vehicles, things are starting with smaller equipment,” he says.

According to Greg, for all manufacturers, one obvious barrier to the early adoption of this newer technology is the price.

“All OEMs are dealing with that same issue,” he says. “The cost of these machines is certainly up there – sometimes two/two-and-ahalf times the price of the diesel equivalent.

“But there’s definitely demand building for them, for use in specific applications.”

While for some, putting an electric machine on a project could be a simple way to tick sustainability boxes, Greg says more contracts for large government jobs are starting to demand the use of electric technology.

Part of this, he suspects, comes down to the other benefits associated with electric machinery – not just the desire for a clear environmental conscience.

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“If you’re working in a hospital, an undercover car park without much ventilation, or a shopping centre or school – anywhere where noise or pollution is an issue – that’s where people are looking to these types of options,” Greg says.

In such environments, Greg says electric machinery could go beyond “nice-to-have” to being the only viable option. He points to JCB’s site dumpers – which are available in both diesel and electric models.

“People may ask why you’d pay twice the price for the electric version,” he says. “But in some of these indoor environments – you’ll either be using an electric site dumper or you’ll be using a wheelbarrow.”

Greg also sees the potential for strong uptake with customers who work on a lot of tunnel projects across Australia.

“They don’t want diesel engines running in those tunnels, because it can be a real struggle to get rid of the fumes,” he says.

FEATURE TOPIC

SUSTAINABILITY IN EARTHMOVING Completing the circuit

Greg expects new JCB Electric machines to keep making their way over to Australia as demand increases, along with CEA’s understanding of the local electric machinery market.

Most recently, CEA introduced JCB's 52560E compact telehandler into Australia, which is quickly gaining traction in the rental market.

And with demand also building across the broader range, Greg says CEA is already well positioned to provide support and service for JCB's electric machines.

“We had two technicians specially trained in the UK, who then came back and trained our team here,” he says.

“You’re playing with electricity, so it’s quite a different thing. You can’t necessarily just train up a diesel mechanic on these machines – they need to be certified to work on electric products.”

Greg says CEA was lucky to have a headstart in this regard, with its technicians already supporting other brands within its portfolio.

“That was a big bonus for us,” he says. “We do a lot with generators, so we already had electrical technicians in our service team to start with.”

A powerful range

The question of battery life is always the first thing Greg is asked about JCB’s electric range. He says this can be tricky to quantify, and suggests the industry should needs to start reframing this discussion.

“I’ll get asked if the electric mini excavator will run for eight hours,” he says. “JCB’s official answer is that it’ll do a day’s work.”

He says this doesn’t necessarily correlate to a certain number of operational hours, due to the fundamental differences between electric and diesel technology.

“With electric machines, until you’re actually travelling on it or pulling a lever to dump a load, it’s not using any power,” he says.

JCB CEA already has the resources in place to support its electric products.

The new 525-60E telehandler is the latest addition to JCB's electric fleet.

“They don’t idle as such either – they just sit there not drawing power until you push the lever.”

And for situations where the machines are required to work longer hours, JCB has solutions available such as fast chargers and portable lithium battery packs – the latter of which can also be used to power light towers and other auxiliary gear.

Always innovating

For all the research and development JCB is putting into electric technology, Greg says the company is also realistic about its limitations.

“Realistically, if you tried to power a 20-tonne excavator with batteries, you’d need a 20-tonne battery pack being pulled along behind it,” he says.

“That's not viable, at least with the current technology that’s out there.”

Such limitations might not pose such logistical concerns in the not-too-distant future.

But in the meantime, Greg says JCB continues its diverse approach to green innovation, giving its customers around the world the freedom to mix and match to suit their needs.

“No one technology is perfect, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution yet,” Greg says.

“That’s why, from a JCB perspective, they’re still working to reduce diesel engine emissions as much as they can, developing a range of hydrogen solutions, and going electric where it makes sense.”

For more on the JCB Electric range, visit: www.jcbcea.com.au

Greg says JCB's electric excavators can deliver a full day's work.

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INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

Mayday Rental’s new facility will improve the company’s capacity to support its customers.

Workshop wizards Alemlube’s comprehensive workshop fit out service was just the right fit for this major player in Western Australia’s equipment hire space.

In its more than 50 years of operation, Alemlube has never been a business to rest on its laurels.

With an always-growing network spreading across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, as well as Auckland and Papua New Guinea, Alemlube continues to evolve with the industries it serves.

Today, Alemlube’s range of lubrication and refuelling solutions includes a wide selection of products designed to meet the needs of different industrial and automotive applications, from transport to mining to earthmoving – and continues to grow off the back of trusted relationships built along the way.

The one-stop workshop shop

One of Alemlube’s core offerings is its specialised workshop fit-out service. This includes custom workshop design and consultation, installation of exhaust extraction equipment and bulk oil storage solutions – anything a customer might require to maintain a fleet.

For Projects and Installations Manager Todd Franklin, this work has been his bread and butter for the better part of a decade.

“I’ve been in this role with Alemlube for nine

years now, and was a fitter for three years before that,” he says. “Now I lead a team of five fitters, as well another project manager who we’re in the process of training up.”

One of Todd’s recently completed projects gave him and teams the opportunity to flex their expertise and problem-solving skills for an exciting new client: family-owned equipment hire business Mayday Rental.

New partnerships

Mayday Rental has provided the Western Australian construction industry with reliable rental machinery for more than 30 years.

Specialising in dry hire equipment for both short and long-term projects, the family-owned and operated business combines extensive industry experience with a commitment to service and accountability for its customers.

Founded by Ken Abbott in 1992, the Mayday business expanded rapidly through a dedication to strong business and personal relationships. Now into its second generation with Director Bryce Abbott at the helm, Mayday Rental caters to a wide range of clients, including major construction and mining companies across WA.

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Mayday Rental General Manager Kye Keenan says Mayday Rental saw a big uptick in business over the pandemic years, which in turn created a need for a bigger, better maintenance facility in Nerrabup, north of Perth.

“I put the project out to tender with three different companies, but we figured out pretty quickly that Alemlube were the right people for the job,” Kye says.

“The Alemlube team was just fantastic across the board, from start to finish. We wanted to create a facility that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing, and they just got it.”

Delivering the goods

Todd was the man tasked with bringing Mayday's vision to life. He says Kye, Bryce and their team represented as close to the ideal client as you can hope for: one with a clear sense of what they wanted to achieve, but more than willing to listen to feedback and suggestions from the experts.

“Bryce and Kye had a very clear vision for this workshop,” Todd says. “They wanted to create a space that would be functional, but

also easy to keep neat, clean and well looked after, which involved hiding as much of the pipework as possible up in the roof.

“But they were also very open to our suggestions throughout the process. They knew that we do this kind of work day-in, dayout, so they trusted our opinions and expertise.

They were very easy to work with, and I think that’s reflected in the results.”

Mayday’s brief comprised a six-bay workshop for servicing light and heavy vehicles, as well as two gantries for supplying oils, coolants, water, air, and waste evacuation setups. This involved creating custom framework to elevate pumps and hose reels above the floor for easier cleaning.

Todd says the fit out was larger than the average project due to a range of variables, such as the height of the workshop roof and the safety considerations that introduced.

“The roof there is nearly nine metres high, and we needed to have posts running down throughout the centre of the workshop – so we needed extra hands-on deck to install those,” Todd says.

“They also wanted to put a 20-foot container outside the workshop, fitted out with oil pods, IBCs (intermediate bulk containers), drums, and an air compressor. We hadn't done anything like that before, and we certainly learned a lot from it.”

Kye says that even with the Mayday team shifting the goalposts on the project more than once, Todd and the Alemlube team took everything in stride.

“They were very accommodating,” Kye says.

“There were a couple of times where Bryce or I changed our minds on something, and Todd and his team have just made the adjustments on the fly with absolutely no issues.”

Kye says he was expecting Alemlube’s flexibility on the project to result in quite a few cost overruns. But he was surprised to find just one minor variation when it came time to settle up.

“I was more than impressed,” he says. “They were very true to their word on their original quote, as well as their workmanship.”

Alemlube delivered a workshop featuring the perfect blend of functionality and aesthetics.

A monument to quality

As Mayday Rental’s service team moves its first load of gear into the new workshop, Kye is excited to see how it will help Mayday build on its steady growth. And when it comes time for Mayday’s next big project, he says he won’t hesitate to reach out to Alemlube.

“It's been a long time since we've had anybody of this calibre, on this size of a project, actually deliver on time and on budget like Alemlube did,” Kye says. “We buy a lot of equipment, and we’re no strangers to being let down with lead times for machinery and attachments. So, it was very refreshing to deal with a company like Alemlube.

“Todd and his team all presented well, turned up when they said they would, and cleaned up after themselves – they didn’t leave a screw or a cable tie anywhere. They were very professional, and they’re clearly very proud of the work that they do.”

Mayday’s brief required Todd’s team to think outside the box with the layout design.

www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au | EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE 111

INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

John Deere showcased its latest technology offerings at the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG.

John Deere: A look at 2023 A big year of achievement has John Deere ready for an even bigger year in 2024.

Andrew Kahler, Senior Group Product Manager of Precision Construction, John Deere Construction & Forestry said: “At John Deere, we continue to provide customers with groundbreaking, smart technologies aimed to improve user experience in the present and yield proven results in the future.

“Our portfolio of precision construction technologies is strategically curated to help our customers manage their fleets, improve job-site performance, and enhance operator skillsets,” he continued, “helping to equip the next generations of construction professionals.”

There’s no doubt 2023 was a testament to Kahler’s thoughts.

Fuel efficiency

At the 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG show, John Deere showcased its latest technology offerings, including advanced-vision and object-detection solutions, SmartWeigh, standard EZ Grade on P-Tier small dozers, and a variety of other grade-management and automation solutions available to customers.

2023 saw the rise of education about and attention to important considerations for the industry – things like sustainability.

With a committed approach, John Deere focused on reducing its carbon footprint and ensuring the sustainability of its engines.

Highlights to several key initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions includes improving the fuel

efficiency of John Deere machines, resulting in an average fuel-efficiency improvement of 16 per cent across its construction equipment product line over the past decade. It’s a significant achievement, accomplished through a combination of engine technology improvements and machine design enhancements.

Reducing the carbon footprint

In addition to improving fuel efficiency, John Deere is also investing in alternative fuel technologies. For example, the company has developed a hybrid-electric powertrain for its wheel-loader machines which can reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 40 per cent. It’s also exploring the use of biofuels, such as biodiesel, to further reduce John Deer’s carbon footprint.

John Deere also celebrated Reman Day this year, highlighting the environmental and economic benefits of remanufactured parts and the effective role they can play in growing business and industry sustainability.

John Deere Reman is a world leader in the production of remanufactured parts at equal or better standard than the original, helping to reduce waste and conserve natural resources.

John Deere Australia and New Zealand Director of Aftermarket and Customer Support, Emma Ford, said remanufacturing was an integral contributor to the company's mission to connect with businesses and customers across

the world to sustainably support communities as the global population grows.

Precision construction

Another important John Deere commitment was to jobsite safety, achieved through precision construction and smart technologyenabled machines.

John Deere not only focuses on innovation in machines that make jobs easier and efficient, but also machines that make jobs safer – unarguably the number one priority, especially given the jobsite is never the same two days in a row.

Precision Construction is about total control of what’s being done with a machine. One way to do that is with Deere Obstacle Intelligence.

Obstacle Intelligence uses a combination of cameras, radar, and machine learning to protect anyone and anything in close proximity. And that’s better for everyone’s livelihood.

A greener, safer future

2023 proved to be an exciting and innovative year shaped by environmental and peoplefocused considerations. Looking to 2024, John Deere is excited and focused on improving and advancing the way machines can help people, businesses, and reducing impact on the environment.

Learn more about John Deere at: www.deere.com.au

112 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

JD0018_

DEERE.COM.AU/EN/CONSTRUCTION/ SCAN TO LEARN MORE

NEVER SETTLE NEVER STOP NEVER IDLE It takes a different kind of brain behind the brawn.

Fired up like a turbo diesel. Gears constantly churning.

Hardwired beneath hard hats to solve problems, or avoid them altogether. With you and your crew at the helm, and Deere at your back. The workarounds, ideas and innovations that move earth, and your business, forward.

Because that’s what it takes to win in the dirt.

And that’s what it means to be Never Idle.

JD0018_Construction_Quarry Mag Supplier Directory_FP_225x295_R01.indd 1

10/11/2023 11:57 am

INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

Komatsu’s iMC system allows operators to work with unparalleled precision.

Caption.

Get to know Komatsu’s Smart Construction offerings Komatsu’s Smart Construction solutions are an innovative suite of products that aim to improve productivity and safety on construction sites for operators.

Two of Komatsu’s leading Smart Construction 3DMG (RFK) and intelligent Machine Control (iMC) offer significant advantages on excavators, depending on the need and application, according to Tony Clear, National Business Development Manager, from Komatsu Australia.

iMC 2.0 – integration that delivers productivity and efficiency

Komatsu’s iMC system allows operators to work with unparalleled precision, eliminating over-excavation and the need for manual grade checking, resulting in substantial time and cost savings. “iMC machines allow both highly skilled and novice operators to work far more efficiently due to the semi-auto and auto functions,” Tony said. “The machine will guide itself to the design and allow the operator to work at maximum speed with the security that the machine will not allow operators to overbreak the design model. iMC has the potential to

iMC machines allow both highly skilled and novice operators to work far more efficiently due to the semi-auto and auto functions.

114 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

increase productivity by upwards of 50 per cent, depending on the application, and adds value from simple flat pad work through to batter work, trench work, and complex design jobs.

“Features like bucket angle hold control and auto-tilt attachment control on excavators eliminate over-excavation and reduce the need for manual grade checking. Also available on dozers, iMC provides lift layer control and proactive dozing control, allowing operators to take-off or fill in material at optimum layer levels without operator input. These features result in substantial time and cost savings.” iMC is available on a range of Komatsu’s hydraulic excavators, as well as several dozer models. Tony said the technology on these is a ‘must have’ for any site, whether using complex design models or simple flat pads.

“GPS is an important part of productivity onsite today, providing huge efficiency gains for smaller operators right through to larger contractors. iMC takes that productivity to another level, but at a typical guidance-only price,” Tony said.

3DMG – a flexible solution no matter what machine you run

Komatsu’s 3DMG provides customers with a ‘Komatsu-quality’ high-end GPS solution at a price that makes the solution valuable for all applications. It is a guidance-only solution like traditional GPS systems and can be fitted to all Komatsu machines.

“If you’re looking to keep your fleet up to date with the latest solutions, then 3DMG is a cost-effective option, as it allows a fleet owner to take advantage of all the benefits of GPS guidance solutions by installing on existing machines,” Tony said.

3DMG gives operators 3D machine guidance to all models from simple flat surfaces to complex design models, a payload meter that

allows a user to max-load trucks for optimum material movement, and even the ability to track as-built progress through the Smart Construction dashboard.

“3DMG ticks a lot of boxes for those looking to upgrade their machine productivity on both existing and new machines. We’ve had a lot of great feedback from operators on not only its ability to increase efficiency and productivity, but also its ease of use and the safety benefits from not having grade checkers within the proximity of equipment,” Tony concluded.

To find out more about iMC and 3DMG, and Komatsu’s other Smart Construction solutions, head to komatsu.com.au/ innovation/smart-construction.

On dozers, iMC provides lift layer control and proactive dozing control, allowing operators to take-off or fill in material at optimum layer levels without operator input.

On dozers, iMC provides lift layer control and proactive dozing control, allowing operators to take-off or fill in material at optimum layer levels without operator input.

www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au | EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE 115

INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

Where comfort meets functionality

Dieci’s Zeus 35.10 Telehandler delivers on performance and comfort for an ever-changing construction industry.

Anyone in the market for a telehandler will welcome the news that stock of the Dieci Zeus 35.10 is now available throughout Australia.

True to the company’s design philosophy of delivering reliability and productivity in absolute comfort, this Italian designed telehandler reflects the combination of functionality and operator ease for which Dieci has earned global recognition.

The Zeus 35.10 is designed to offer the operator the perfect balance between power and agility whenever it is necessary to handle heavy loads in confined spaces. The machine has been designed to respond to controls in a fluid way, with precision and promptness, thus guaranteeing exceptional work comfort in complete safety.

distributors that enable more simultaneous movements during operation.

The 35.10’s hydrostatic transmission provides power, reactivity, and control in manoeuvres, while a single control unit measures the optimal working parameters through in-depth diagnostics. Combined with an “inching” pedal command, this allows for situations where it is an advantage for these machines to run at slow speed, yet at maximum power to the boom to increase precision and productivity.

To improve durability, a patented single compensation cylinder is located inside the lifting ram to ensure that the load on the boom is balanced at all times.

Designed for changing needs

Maximum safety

The needs of construction sites are continually changing, with a high awareness of reducing management costs, while boosting vehicle productivity. Dieci engineers have been successful in blending outstanding design and functionality to satisfy the demands of customers who want more versatile, robust, and reliable machines that are also easy to drive and operate.

The powerful and compact telehandlers in the Zeus range are designed to give the user just the right balance between power and agility.

This optimum balance ensures the machine can easily manage handling heavy loads in confined spaces across industries such as construction, mining, and agriculture.

Common advantages offered by the Zeus range are great power, excellent handling, precise movement control, sound proofing for absolute comfort, and a choice of two-wheel, four-wheel or crab steering modes. The Zeus range of telehandlers can also be fitted with a full range of accessories, making them incredibly adaptable and versatile.

Ticking all the boxes

The Dieci Zeus 35.10 has the lot when it comes to practical features to get the job done efficiently, while the operator experiences real comfort, even throughout long shifts.

Telehandler operators will immediately feel the advantage of the machines’ telescopic boom which is made from high resistance steel, and the load sensing and flow sharing

The cabin on Dieci Telehandlers is ROPS/ FOPS approved and compliant with AS1418.19/10896.1 standards. Cabs are designed with a safety cell to prevent deformation in the event of the vehicle being overturned or a heavy load falling on the cab.

Adding to safety is a load limiter device that analyses vehicle stability in real time and inhibits any aggravating movements when the pre-set safety limits are reached.

To prevent accidental operation, there is a deadman sensor combined with a seat operator presence sensor.

Advanced comfort and visibility

The large, curved windows of the cab give a complete 360-degree outside view with uninterrupted visibility, while integrated LED work lights allow better visibility at night.

Making life easy for the operator is a 4-in-1 ergonomically designed joystick with integrated forward and reverse, soundproofing, an adjustable steering wheel (height and depth), storage compartments and an air suspension seat. There is also a semi-automatic air conditioning system with six outlet vents that allows perfect air circulation inside the cabin, openable rear glass and roof and integrated electric driver’s window.

For more on the Dieci Zeus 35.10, visit: www.dieciaustralia.com.au

116 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

Dieci 35.10 key specs

Max capacity

3500kg

Max lift height on wheels

9.75m

Max horizontal extension on wheels

6.45m

Engine power

93kW (125hp) @ 2200rpm

Transmission

Hydrostatic

Hydraulic pump type

Gear pump for power steering and movements

Hydraulic pump capacity

130lpm

Max operating pressure

24MPa (3553psi)

ZEUS 35.10

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INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

Roll on with Sany UHI Machinery rolls out latest range of Sany compaction equipment.

Light tandem rollers

The SSR180C-8 Single Drum Roller is powered by a 133kW Cummins engine.

When you're starting a project from the ground up, compaction rollers play a critical role in ensuring the base is correctly prepared. A new range of Sany rollers from UHI Machinery offers many size and performance options to suit compaction tasks from small to larger sites and different applications.

The Sany SSR range of single drum rollers span 12, 15, and 18 tonne capacities and offer extended operation life through the use of water wheel type lubrication on the vibratory bearing which extends life up to an impressive 5000 hours. Air and hydraulic filtration capacity have been increased to allow double filtration of air at engine height and three-stage filters in the hydraulics extend service life and reduce maintenance costs.

According to Sany, the new rollers deliver high efficiency, due to a 10 per cent greater excitation force than other products in a comparable category, resulting in 16.7 per cent greater production output. Adding to productivity is an improved operator environment that includes cabin vibration isolation by using dampening mounts, cabin temperature control, and reduced effort and force required for operator controls.

The SSR120C-10 12-tonne Single Drum Roller is powered by a 93kW Cummins engine, has a drum weight of 7000kg and a drum diameter of 1500mm. The minimum turning outside diameter of the roller is 11,600mm.

The Sany model SSR150C-8 15-tonne Single Drum Roller is powered by a 119kW Cummins engine. It has a drum weight of 9600kg, a rear axle weight of 5400kg and a vibration frequency of 32/36Hz. Centrifugal force is

300/210kN, drum diameter is 1500mm and drum width is 2130mm. The turning diameter of this roller is 12,010mm.

Model SSR180C-8 Single Drum Roller is powered by a 133kW Cummins engine. The operating weight of the machine is 18,000kg, while the weight at the drum is 12,400kg.

Vibration frequency is 29/3Hz and the drum diameter is 1600mm, with a drum width of 2130mm. The minimum turning diameter of this roller is 12,350mm.

Sany offers diesel-powered light tandem rollers for smaller sites.

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For smaller sites, Sany has diesel-powered light tandem rollers in 8hp/790kg, 8hp/920kg and 26hp/1.7-tonne capacities.

Model SRD800 has an operating weight of 790kg and uses a mechanical drive for vibration, and is able to operate on gradients up to 25 per cent with a handy turning radius of 1500mm.

It is powered by an 8hp diesel engine and vibration is by way of a mechanical drive. Static load is 62N/cm and nominal amplitude is 0.5mm, with vibration frequency of 70Hz and an exciting force of 2 kN. The SRD 800 has a speed of 3.5km/h.

Model SRD900 is powered by an 8hp aircooled four stroke diesel engine and has an operating weight of 920kg. Vibration is by a mechanical drive and the static load is 57 N/ cm, with a nominal amplitude of 0.5mm and an exciting force of 20kN. The machine has a maximum speed of 4km/h and a turning radius of 2600mm, while being able to work on grades of 30 per cent.

The Sany SRD017 is a 1.7-tonne roller powered by a Yanmar water-cooled four stroke, three cylinder diesel engine delivering 19.9kW at 3200rpm and a hydraulic drive to provide the vibration. The roller has a static load of 80N/cm, nominal amplitude of 0.5mm, a 65Hz vibrating frequency and 25kN exciting force. The SRD 017 can be driven up to 8km/h, has a turning radius of 1900mm, with a grade ability of 30 per cent.

Further information on the range of Sany rollers is available from UHI Machinery at sales@unitedheavyindustries.com.au or call 1800 000 844.

1

CALL 1800 000 844 WWW.UNITEDHEAVYINDUSTRIES.COM.AU

12 Tonne Single Drum Roller Engine Rated power

Cummins

SSR120CC10

93kW / 125hp

Fuel tank capacity Min. ground clearance

ROAD ROLLER

250L 480mm

Gradeability

50%

Travel speed

0 ~ 12.5km/h

SSR150CC8

15 Tonne Single Drum Roller Engine Rated power

Cummins 119kW / 160hp 200L

Fuel tank capacity

410mm

Min. ground clearance

45%

Gradeability

0 ~ 10.5km/h

Travel speed

18 Tonne Single Drum Roller Engine Rated power

SSR180CC8

Cummins 133kW / 178hp

Fuel tank capacity

300L

Min. ground clearance

410mm

Gradeability

45%

Travel speed

0 ~ 8km/h

MELBOURNE :

BRISBANE :

PERTH:

DARWIN:

2/94 BOUNDARY ROAD SUNSHINE WEST VIC 3020

122 ASHOVER ROAD, ARCHERFIELD QLD 4108

302 GNANGARA RD, LANDSDALE WA 6065

15 MCKINNON RD, PINELANDS, NT 0829

SYDNEY :

ADELAIDE:

TOWNSVILLE:

80 ORANGE GROVE RD, WARWICK FARM, NSW 2170

27 STAITE ST, WINGFIELD, SA 5013

5 VENNARD STREET GARBUTT 4814

* PRICE MIGHT CHANGE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE

INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

The perfect combination for grinding and milling ASV RT-135 MAX-Series Posi-Track and Schibeci ST1000 demonstrate amazing performance with council and construction companies.

The ASV RT-135 compact track loader is part of the ASV MAX-Series line-up and known for its power and versatility, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of projects.

In partnership with Schibeci, ASV Sales and Services recently delivered a brand new ASV RT-135 Posi-Track and a Schibeci attachment to a council customer that needed to upgrade their older machine.

“We reached out to five different companies and just from previously owning a Terex PosiTrack for eight years, the superior reliability and ASV’s customer service made us return and buy the RT-135. As the road networks have grown, the RT-135 is a far more superior machine to stabilise our pavement relay, as a cost-effective option and we obtain far more square metres done throughout a project,” according to the council representative.

When it comes to heavy-duty construction and road maintenance projects, having the right equipment is essential. A machine and attachment that have gained popularity with councils, road maintenance contractors and construction companies are the RT-135 and the Schibeci ST1000. While they serve different purposes, this machine and attachment can be used in tandem to achieve outstanding results in milling and stabilising applications. ‘’The RT-135 Posi-Track is currently the only machine rated in the market with the hydraulic flow to power the Schibeci ST1000,” said the council representative. It’s one thing to have the most powerful hydraulic performance but having a cooling package that enables 100 duty cycles through the hottest of days in the middle of summer is perfect. This is where the PosiTrack loaders have no competition.

“It's far more superior from our old machine and the guys cannot promote it enough. We've now doubled our square-metre rates per day to what we used to mill out and fill in. We can now run our own blend with the speed of the drum, where previously we couldn't control the way that the machine was cutting. It’s made the

project safer, more reliable, and you're getting a better product.’’

The ASV RT-135 MAX -Series Posi-Track

Let's start with the RT-135 Posi-Track. This compact track loader is part of the ASV MAX-Series line-up and known for its power and versatility, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of projects. Equipped with a turbocharged Cummins 3.8l diesel engine with a 132hp Cummins engine and 189LPM hydraulic flow with premium operator comfort station and best in class visibility, the RT-135 delivers exceptional performance and reliable power even under the toughest conditions.

One of the standout features of the RT-135 is its patented Posi-Track technology. This unique system gives the machine excellent traction and flotation on any terrain, ensuring it can navigate through muddy or soft surfaces with ease. Its superior ground clearance and low ground pressure also make it suitable for sensitive environments, such as wetlands or areas with fragile vegetation.

The RT-135 is highly manoeuvrable, thanks to its compact design and skid-steer capabilities.

It can easily access confined spaces and navigate tight corners, making it suitable for both large-scale construction sites and smaller, more challenging work areas. Its enhanced visibility from the spacious cab allows operators to handle the machine with precision and safety.

the ST1000 delivers outstanding results in a fraction of the time taken by traditional methods.

Additionally, the ST1000 comes with a dust extraction system, which effectively captures and removes dust particles generated during the milling process. This not only ensures a cleaner working environment but also reduces the risk of respiratory issues for operators and nearby workers.

Combining the RT-135 with the ST1000 is a winning combination for grinding and milling projects. It provides the power, versatility, and manoeuvrability needed to navigate varied terrains and confined spaces, while the ST1000 brings the efficiency and precision required for milling and grinding applications.

Whether you're involved in road construction, renovation projects, or any application that requires grinding or milling, the RT-135 and ST1000 can help you achieve exceptional results. Together, they offer a seamless integration of power, performance, and efficiency, making them the go-to choice for many professionals in the field.

Also recommended for use with an ASV RT-120 Posi-Track or Terex PT-100G/PT-110, the guys at Schibeci will be the first to tell you, nothing runs their attachments like an ASV Posi-Track!

Schibeci and ASV Sales & Service also offer a smaller ST600 model, designed for similar usage on a smaller scale.

For more information on the ASV RT-135 Posi-Track Loaders and Schibeci ST1000, contact your local dealer to schedule a demo or product walkaround at www.asvaus.com.

The RT-135 and the Schibeci ST1000 have gained popularity with councils, road maintenance contractors, and construction companies.

The Schibeci ST1000

Now, let's move on to the Schibeci ST1000.

This attachment transforms the RT-135 into a powerful milling machine, making it capable of removing old road surfaces, creating rumble strips, or levelling uneven pavement. With its robust construction and efficient design,

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INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

SDLG has now extended its range with mini excavators, setting new standards in the agricultural sector.

Small but mighty Operators seeking to purchase a new mini excavator are set to benefit from the new SDLG range now available from CJD Equipment.

Simple, reliable, comfortable, and productive, the new ER616, ER636F and E660FL excavators boast ample power for a wide range of agricultural tasks and come with the added benefit of a comprehensive 3-year/6000-hour warranty.

As a member of the Volvo Group since 2007, Shandong Lingong Equipment (SDLG) integrates Volvo's design influence and highquality standards to provide machinery that is both cost-effective and reliable. SDLG is one of China's fastest-growing construction equipment manufacturers, with over 50 years of industry expertise spanning more than 130 countries.

For many decades, SDLG has maintained a renowned reputation for its wheel loaders, which have become synonymous with delivering consistent performance, user-friendly operation, and minimal maintenance. Building on this success, SDLG has now extended its range with mini excavators, setting new standards in the agricultural sector.

"The new models include standard features that are usually optional on other machines, making SDLG extremely good value for money. Coupled with SDLG's reputation of simplicity, reliability, and ease of operation, SDLG excavators will likely become one of the first choices amongst astute buyers," explains Andrew Egan, the National Product Manager for SDLG at CJD Equipment.

An ergonomically positioned mechanical accelorator, pilot handle and control switch helps operators to complete jobs swiftly.

ER616F: Efficiency at its core

The ER616F, the smallest of the SDLG excavators, is big on performance, versatility, and user-friendliness. This robust and reliable machine is simple to operate. It features an energy-saving, fuel-efficient Kubota engine with a zero-tail swing and high-quality hydraulic components for precise control and increased stability. The ER616F has an operating weight of 1.8 tonnes, an impressive 10kW/13hp, and

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delivers a powerful excavation force of 15kN, making it adaptable for various applications. Its zero-tail swing design allows it to manoeuvre efficiently in confined spaces, reducing the risk of accidental damage.

Specifically designed for small municipal projects and farming jobs, the ER616F is engineered to be robust and dependable.

Its simplicity of operation makes it an ideal machine for seasoned professionals and those

new to excavating. With an ergonomically positioned mechanical accelerator, pilot handle and control switch, the ER616F helps operators do the job swiftly and precisely. This machine also has integrated tip-over protection (TOPS) and OPG1, which enhances safety, giving operators peace of mind when working in challenging conditions.

The SDLG E660FL excavator delivers both power and fuel economy.

E660FL: Power and precision unleashed

The SDLG E660FL excavator, weighing 6-tonnes, is the largest option among the new SDLG excavator models. Fitted with a highly efficient four-cylinder Yanmar T3 engine and coupled with an energy-saving hydraulic system, the E660FL delivers both power and fuel economy. The load-sensing hydraulic system is engineered to deliver performance and efficiency with a variable piston pump for precise control in various conditions.

The E660FL also features nine work modes and an automatic idle feature, enabling instant power availability as needed and further minimising fuel consumption and noise.

Similar to the other models in the range, the E660FL has been designed to minimise maintenance efforts, with the main components, filter and electrical systems grouped for easy ground-level access. All of the core components, including the engine and The E660FL features nine work modes and an automatic idle feature, enabling instant power availabilty as needed.

hydraulics systems, are sourced from worldrenowned manufacturers to ensure the highest reliability.

Recognised for its dependability and operator comfort, this excavator boasts a reduced tail swing, a spacious cab and a compact design.

The E660FL cab is designed with industryleading noise reduction technologies, making it well-suited for operators who spend a long

time in the cab. The E660FL is also fitted with ROPS and OPG2 protection, a high-quality digital instrument display, suspension seat and air conditioning, ensuring operators' ultimate comfort and safety.

The perfect combination of reliability and efficiency

SDLG and CJD Equipment's long-standing partnership gives customers the peace of mind that they can access reliable and experienced local after-sales support. CJD branches and SDLG dealers, from Australian capital cities to regional country towns, are located nationally and have 24/7 parts and service support.

"CJD has a reputation in Australia for supporting its machinery and looking after customers. You don't stay in the industry for almost 50 years without looking after your customers. So, if you're planning on purchasing or replacing a piece of used equipment, or you just want a machine that is reliable, easy to operate and maintain, then SDLG is a great option," highlights Andrew.

Set to be released later this year, the last of the three new SDLG mini excavators in the range is the ER636F. This 3.8-tonne, 20kW/27hp excavator also has a compact design and zero tail-swing with an enclosed, spacious cabin, making it well-suited to urban construction jobs, particularly in tight spaces.

CJD also recently introduced SDLG's new H-Series wheel loader range, building on the success of an already outstanding range. The new H-Series models feature a high torque, fuel-efficient Weichai 6-cylinder engine for powerful performance with superior reliability and a newly designed air-conditioned cab with fully certified ROPS-FOPS rollover protection.

"The new H-Series wheel loader models are very simple to use and very versatile, with a factory fitted quick coupler and third function hydraulics to accommodate a variety of different attachments."

For more information on the SDLG machinery range and to locate your local CJD Equipment branch or SDLG Dealer, visit: www.cjd.com.au or call 1300 139 804.

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INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

Yellowgate provides flexible rental options across a range of industries.

A gateway to opportunity Yellowgate Managing Director Chris McRae explains to EEM how his business can provide flexible opportunities across a whole spectrum of industries, at any scale – from the humble owner-operator in the local earthworks space, to some of Australia’s biggest civil works and mining companies.

In the industrial world, where the only constant is change, the value of flexibility in equipment rentals cannot be understated. Major projects run long or change trajectory, opportunities come and go – things can get unpredictable, and someone will always have to cover the inevitable added costs.

This is where Yellowgate is trying to make a difference: by offering versatile equipment rental solutions for industries from construction, civil works, and mining, to agriculture and heavy transport.

With its flagship ‘Rent Now, Buy Later’ offering, Yellowgate’s aim is to maximise flexibility and help provide opportunities for Australian businesses of any size or shape.

Understanding the process

Yellowgate Managing Director Chris McRae will be the first to tell you that he’s not really a “finance guy”. So, why is he the right person to speak to about equipment rentals?

“I don’t come from a finance or even a rental world,” Chris tells EEM. “My background is in major projects, so I like to think that gives me a valuable perspective.”

Chris has worked across transport, fleet management, waste management, and civil works, tackling projects on either end of the scale spectrum. Skilling up through project management, contract management, and eventually general management, he’s developed a strong sense of what makes

projects successful, regardless of the industry.

“We know that there are products out there similar to what Yellowgate offers,” Chris says.

“But where I think we’re a little bit different – and where I think we can be more effective – is in understanding what our customers are going through, understanding what their projects look like and how they work, and also the kinds of challenges they might run into over the life of those projects.”

Chris says Yellowgate wants to distinguish itself by going the extra mile to be in tune with its end users and their place in the broader industry. And that also means understanding the human elements and personal challenges interwoven into customers’ professional lives.

For Chris, this was a key focus for him when he joined the Yellowgate business in 2022.

“We know that not everybody’s got all of their paperwork in order all the time, and we know that people may not have their schedule fully sorted for their project,” he says. “It’s about understanding that, and being flexible with what our clients need.”

Solutions large and small

Yellowgate currently has more than 300 pieces of machinery out on rental across the country. Hydraulic excavators and tippers are the most popular assets, but you’ll also find wheel loaders, motor graders, scrapers, crawler dozers, grinders, and everything in between being put to work by Yellowgate’s customers.

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Chris McRae, Yellowgate Managing Director.

These customers can be found across Australia, and across a range of applications, including mining in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, quarrying in Central Queensland, and on telecommunications projects in Tasmania.

Chris says Yellowgate’s customer base is as diverse as the projects they deliver – from tier one contractors to sole owner operators.

“One of our clients is one of the largest indigenous employers in the country, and then we also work with one of the biggest mining companies in the country,” Chris says. “We know we have a product that makes sense for some of the country’s top construction companies, but we’ve also got plenty to offer family businesses

or start-ups who need a hand with their first piece of machinery.”

Yellowgate’s service is also supported by a network of contacts across the top OEMs, as well as some of the larger used machinery retailers.

“There’s still a shortage of equipment around the world, and unfortunately the Australian market is not always the highest priority,” Chris says. “Because of that, we’re still regularly leaning on our contacts in the second-hand market throughout the country to help keep our customers moving.”

The fork in the road

“Yellowgate is definitely a viable long-term rental solution,” Chris says. “But our rent to buy model offers a level of flexibility that your more traditional hire doesn't. We ask for a 12-month commitment, after which you’ve got choices: you can hand the gear back, you can buy the gear out, or you can keep renting it.

“Our offering gives you that ‘fork in the road’ option a little later in the process.”

Chris says this can be a saving grace for customers in an unpredictable industry, particularly when work dries up unexpectedly, or a client’s needs change suddenly.

“It's about us understanding the story from the client's point of view,” he says. “You know, some of our very best clients have worked through some challenging times, made mistakes at different stages in their careers, and then bounced back stronger than ever.

“And we’re always available to provide our advice and insight into our customers’ operations, and how we can better help them get where they need to be – and to do so in plain English, without over-complicating things.”

Multidisciplinary construction, earthworks, and land management business K & T Daley works with Yellowgate to help it deliver on various projects across Central Queensland.

People helping people

Chris stresses that the Yellowgate team is made up of real people who want to solve real problems for players in the industry by fostering meaningful, mutually supportive relationships.

“Maintaining those relationships is key,” he says. “Australia is in one sense a big market, but it's a small one too, right? So, we've got to make sure we're doing the right things by our customers.

“The better service we can provide, the more people will understand what Yellowgate is, how we operate, and the services and insights we can provide.”

To find out how you can leverage Yellowgate’s service on your next project, visit: www.ygg.com.au

Yellowgate’s process is as easy as 1, 2, 3

1. You specify the equipment you need to Yellowgate 2. Yellowgate purchases the equipment and rents it to you 3. At the end of the rental term, you can Rent, Recontract, Purchase or Return the equipment.

Kerrod Toby, Managing Director of Ochre Australia – a specialist Queensland-based labour hire business, and another satisfied Yellowgate customer.

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INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

ACS specialises in both wet and dry hire of heavy equipment.

A passion for productivity Australian Civil Solutions (ACS) has enjoyed a decade of steady growth by keeping a finger on the pulse of the construction industry, and taking advantage of the latest technological innovations – such as Steelwrist tiltrotators.

Over the past decade, Laura and Tom Daly and their dedicated team have grown Australian Civil Solutions (ACS) from a single wheeled excavator operation into a significant player in Southeast Queensland’s earthmoving and civil construction industry.

“We were both working for equipment hire businesses, which is how we met initially,” Tom says. “Our first piece of machinery was a wheeled excavator, which we imported from Ireland. And the business has just grown organically from there.”

Now employing more than 60 staff, ACS specialises in both wet and dry hire of heavy equipment, and has provided a comprehensive range of machinery to many large civil projects.

“We're based in Southeast Queensland, but we’ve worked all over Australia,” Tom says. “We originally specialised in wheeled excavators, but we’ve now expanded into larger tracked excavators, loaders, bulldozers – all the

earthmoving gear the industry needs.”

Tom says a big strength of ACS is how his businesses engages with clients, and tailors its fleet to the needs of an ever-changing industry.

“We spend a lot of time talking to people about what it is they're trying to achieve on their projects, and then matching the tools to suit,” he says.

“We're now running about 150 pieces of equipment. We have an offering that can cater to a range of different clients, whether they need a 2-tonne or 75-tonne excavator, a 2-tonne site dumper, or a 7-tonne hammer. It’s a very diverse fleet.”

Maximising equipment

Another edge for the ACS fleet comes in the form of Steelwrist tiltrotators – a device that Tom says can unlock the potential of almost any excavator.

“Tiltrotators turn excavators into Swiss Army

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knives,” he says. “Having that 360-degree rotating head on there means your excavator doesn’t have to work as hard. The tiltrotator does maybe 50 per cent of the work in some applications. They’re a real innovation.”

Tom says that a few years back, the transition from straight hitches to tilting heads with quick couplers was an exciting development, but the advent of the tiltrotator has taken productivity to another level.

“They just make the machines so much more useful,” he says. “And our customers now see the utility of them.

“To someone that has never seen one before, they may seem unnecessary. But it only takes five or six hours operating with one for people to say ‘wow, where has this been all my life?’.

And we see that type of reaction all the time.”

It’s still an education process for the Australian industry, but Tom is more than willing to play his part.

“The Scandinavian market has been using tiltrotators for more than 25 years now, and they basically don’t do anything without them,” he says.

And Tom says Australian tier one construction and infrastructure businesses have everything to gain by adopting the innovative tool carrying devices.

“If you put a tiltrotator onto a 14-16-tonne wheeled excavator with a highly trained operator, they’d probably do the work of two tracked excavators in the same application,” he says.

“There are huge cost savings there if you can set up your processes to suit that kind of unit.”

Choosing Steelwrist

“We've got around 20 Steelwrist tiltrotators in the fleet currently – primarily X18s – which we run on our wheeled excavators,” Tom says.

“And we also keep a couple of spares in the workshop to rotate through whenever one needs a service.”

Tom acknowledges that while Steelwrist is not the only quality tiltrotator manufacturer on the market, the support ACS has received has given him no reason to consider a competitor any time soon.

“The Steelwrist tiltrotators are lighter by about 10 per cent, so that’s a factor,” he says. “But for us, it’s been mainly a relationship-based thing.”

Tom points to his long-term relationship with

Tony Fitzgerald, Oceania Support Manager at Steelwrist Australia, as a key element.

“When Tony came on board with Steelwrist Australia, that gave us a lot of confidence, knowing that they’d have someone there with his skillset,” Tom says.

“Tony has a very high technical capacity to understand these products, and to educate people about them too. He’s a natural teacher, and he enjoys discussing how the products work, and explaining their benefits.”

Tom says he often finds himself fielding inquiries about the Steelwrist product line, but that the conversation usually gravitates towards the quality of the backup and support on offer – an area in which Steelwrist has never failed him.

“The Steelwrist Australia guys have a great passion for what they're doing, and they have a lot of heritage in this industry,” he says. “Tony was a good equipment salesman for many years, Darryn [Wilson, Managing Director] has been in the attachment industry for a long time, as has his son Brett [Wilson, Sales and Support Engineer NSW].

“It's a real passion project for the Steelwrist team – it’s more than just a nine-to-five for all of them.”

This passion, Tom says, has directly translated into the sort of above-and-beyond service that has set Steelwrist Australia apart to date.

“We have never failed to have a tool back in service within 12 hours,” he says. “Tony has more than once put in the extra hours to put something back together that we need for six o’clock the following morning. So, you cannot discount them for service.”

The road ahead

Tom says that as long as Steelwrist Australia can continue to provide a high quality of care to go along with its quality products, he’ll remain an advocate for Steelwrist products.

And looking to the future, he’s excited about the possibility of adding another dimension to the relationship through the adoption of Steelwrist's new automatic oil couplers.

“We’ve recently taken out a lease on a quarry, where we’ll be cutting sandstone blocks using a variety of different hydraulic tools,” Tom says. “We're looking at setting up an excavator there with a Steelwrist automatic oil coupler, and a quick-change cassette on each of the tools. Which will mean nobody needs to get out of the cab to pull off and reconnect hoses.

“And any time you can remove the need for an operator to get out of the cab – that’s a big deal for productivity as well as safety.”

For more on Steelwrist, visit: www.steelwrist.com/en-au

The ACS fleet includes around 20 Steelwrist tiltrotators.

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INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

Maxi Tracks developed using high-tech Zetralene plastic and suitable for use with rubber-tracked or tyred vehicles.

Leave your site the way you found it with Shore Hire EEM finds out how Shore Hire’s range of ground protection equipment can help minimise your construction project’s effects on the surrounding environment.

Construction projects often require the use of heavy machinery and equipment to complete a job, but this can have a significant impact on the environment. Due to the increasing awareness of environmental and ecological impact in the industry, companies are looking for solutions.

Several of these solutions are offered by Shore Hire, a pioneer in the Australian temporary works space. The business offers shoring, propping, and traffic management equipment and is committed to responsible and ecofriendly construction practices that create minimal environmental impact on job sites.

“As a hire business, reducing waste and unnecessary capital outlay is at the core of what we do, but being able to also offer a number of ground protection solutions in our fleet allows us to further reduce our client’s

and our own environmental impact,” says Tyler Carroll, Shore Hire’s National Marketing Manager.

How Shore Hire can help

One of the simplest things that can be done to make a construction site more eco-friendly and reduce its environmental impact is using ground protection equipment.

Ground protection equipment is designed to prevent damage to the ground from heavy machines, equipment, and vehicles while creating a pathway that allows them to manoeuvre on difficult soils or surfaces, such as sand or mud. They can also prevent the adverse effects of heavy foot traffic from workers or the public while creating a more even surface to make sites safer and more secure.

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Shore Hire has a range of ground protection equipment, including:

• Steel Road Plates – Often used to cover uneven ground, driveway access or cross trenches, road plates are a very popular product for their range of sizes, economic viability, and great durability.

• Maxi Tracks – Shore Hire’s Maxi Tracks are the world’s most heavy-duty but still man-handleable track system developed using high-tech Zetralene plastic and suitable for use with rubber-tracked or tyred vehicles.

• Trak Mats – Trak Mats are one of Shore Hire’s specifically designed ground protection mats.

They are lightweight and designed to be used by rubber-tyred or rubber-tracked vehicles up to 30 tonnes in weight.

Rumble Grids gently vibrate vehicles as they ride over them, shaking debris loose from the underbody of the vehicle.

What are the benefits of using ground protection equipment?

•K erb Ramps – Shore Hire’s Steel Kerb Ramps are a tried and true system for protecting temporary kerbs and step-ups on a construction site. Kerb ramps allow for quick and easy access for pedestrians, mobility devices, and vehicles up kerbs while maintaining the integrity of the concrete.

•R umble Grids – Rumble Grids are designed to gently vibrate a vehicle as it rides over it, removing debris from the underbody of the vehicle and expanding the tread of the tyres to remove lodged dirt and debris, helping to reduce the environmental impact of a project and keep nearby roadways clean.

•P edestrian Ramps – This is an anti-slip access system designed to be used as a wheelchair ramp and a pedestrian kerb ramp.

Designed for temporary roadworks access, Shore Hire’s pedestrian ramp is rated up to 350kg.

“Ground protection products can often fall down a project manager’s ever-growing priority list,” Tyler says.

“But since expanding our ground protection range in recent years, the demand for these products has increased tremendously as more and more clients look for ways to minimise the impact their projects have on the surrounding environment.”

The most recognisable benefit of using Shore Hire’s range of ground protection equipment is that they help to create less of an environmental impact on construction sites.

Many companies have never used this kind of equipment before and are unsure where it needs to be installed on their worksite to ensure it is as effective as possible in limiting environmental impact. Shore Hire has a specialist team of sales representatives who are available to visit customers on their sites and provide consultation about where these products need to be placed, working with customers from tender through to completion to ensure they have full peace of mind.

“While we do and always will offer world-class products, our true point of difference is the expertise and customer service of our team; it’s what keeps our customers coming back and why we have so many loyal and raving fans in the industry,” says Tyler.

Another key benefit to making sure construction sites are left in their original state is that it keeps residents and councils happy, especially in urban areas.

“When construction companies invest and take pride in being sustainable and eco-friendly, people in the local community notice, which can help to maintain a positive reputation for the company,” Tyler says. “And this can lead to increased business opportunities and public support in the future.”

How sustainability plays a role

Sustainability is a key consideration for the majority of modern construction applications, and Shore Hire’s customers are often looking for a sustainable solution as well as an environmentally friendly one.

“There are significant environmental benefits to hiring equipment rather than purchasing it outright,” Tyler explains. “Hiring equipment enables contractors to reduce waste, lower their carbon emissions, and better manage resources, so it’s a win-win for both the environment and the contractors when they choose to hire through companies like Shore Hire.”

For more information about Shore Hire’s range of ground protection equipment, visit www.shorehire.com.au or contact your local Shore Hire branch at 1300 764 734.

The lightweight Trak Mats are designed for rubber-tyred or rubber-tracked vehicles up to 30 tonnes in weight.

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INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

Fleck Earthmoving’s 14-tonne LiuGong 915E excavators have been involved in a lot of detail excavation works in Sydney, including for Sydney Water.

Strong client commitment Fleck Earthmoving Group’s strong partnership with its LiuGong dealer has helped keep the NSW business on track.

The Fleck Earthmoving Group in New South Wales has an unwavering commitment to servicing every job site to the best of its ability and being a one-stop shop for its clients.

And if that means the purchase of a new machine to meet a client request, that is what it will do.

Not only is the company constantly upgrading its fleet and ensuring the most professional working strategies, but the fleet is also continually growing.

Building strong stakeholder partnerships in business is another key to long-term success, and the relationship between Fleck Earthmoving and LiuGong equipment – and its associated support teams – has been close to a perfect match.

Fleck Earthmoving was established in 1988 by original owner Jamey Flecknoe, but under new Director Danny Kalischer and Group Operations Manager Mike McFarlane, the business’ fleet has quickly grown from eight machines to more than 80.

Based in Box Hill, north-west of Sydney, it is now largely a wet hire company with 64 operators in the field and three in the office, while it also incorporates several other businesses including NextGen Earthworks, NSW Plant Haulage, and its newest division, Fleck Plant Hire, which services all dry hire requirements.

The Fleck Earthmoving Group has a fleet of excavators ranging from 0.8 tonne up to 50 tonne, plus dump trucks, dozers, and compact track loaders. Jobs can include everything from backyard swimming pools and redesigns to major agricultural works, complete with the

floating of machines, transport, and dirt removal in trucks and trailers.

Mike says for LiuGong excavators, the business has maintained a great relationship with Liam King and the team at Sydney dealership Pacific Machinery Group, where he says the aftercare and support had been amazing.

So much so, that he quips he would prefer they did not contact him, because it costs the business a new machine every time.

Mike recalls Liam’s encouragement in considering the LiuGong excavators, and he advised Liam that when they did make the step, “they would be coming in hot.”

But he says Liam and the team have been up to the task and have gone above and beyond.

“We were up north on the Moonee Moonee Bridge, and I told Liam I needed a 30-tonner delivered Monday to the Hunter Valley,” Mike says.

“It was the Thursday and we agreed on a price before I was at the end of the freeway.

We had a team fly from Perth to install and test the GPS unit and Liam opened the shop on the Saturday and Sunday and everything was completed –including the machine being stickered and ready to go for floating to site on the Monday morning at 9am.

“Later, I was back up the Valley and we looked at another two 14-tonners – again that we needed by the following Monday. The turnaround time has been quite amazing, and I don’t think others can do what they have done.”

The LiuGong excavators included a 930E and two 915E machines, powered by Tier 3/ Stage IIIA Cummins engines delivering 216

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horsepower and 115hp respectively. The larger rig digs to a depth of 7.3m and provides a reach of more than 10.5m, while the smaller machines offer a 5.5m digging depth and 8.3m reach.

Mike says Fleck Earthmoving’s operators had experience with most machines, and feedback on the LiuGong excavators had been great.

He says a tier one client of the business also had enquired about the machines after viewing the 30-tonne LiuGong excavator at work on a bulk earthworks job in the Hunter Valley.

The 14-tonne excavators have been involved in a lot of detail excavation works in the city, including for Sydney Water. They have also been used with various attachments, including a wet saw for rock sawing.

Mike says the ongoing support from Pacific Machinery Group and the LiuGong team has continued to impress.

“It is easy to work with the LiuGong crew and Liam knows the industry and our expectations and how important things are if there are any issues,” he says.

“One evening I rang him at 7pm with an issue and he had it worked out by 7.15am the next morning.

“On an Anzac weekend, we had a machine in the city that got vandalised and it was on a high-profile job, but Liam got the parts from overseas in seven business days and we were back up and running.

“For any other parts we have needed that were not in Australia, he has pulled them off another machine to keep us running.

“You can ring him at 8pm at night and he will pick up. That’s why our partnership has worked so well.”

INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

OTR Australia is keeping the wheels of the mineral resources sector turning with its comprehensive products and services for the mining, construction, and agricultural markets.

Wheels of fortune

OTR Australia’s Travis Parsons breaks down his company’s offering, and the importance of local manufacturing backed by local knowledge.

OTR Australia is keeping the wheels of the mineral resources sector turning with its comprehensive manufactured offerings – a range of products and services for the mining, construction, and agricultural markets.

A full range of services

Backed by a team of highly experienced staff, the Australian company works to ensure OTR wheels and rims provide longevity, workplace safety, and minimal equipment downtime with a regular maintenance and servicing regime.

OTR Australia offers wheel and rim inspection, reporting, advice, repairs, and certification services for all markets. The business works closely with clients to develop an optimal maintenance schedule that strengthens fleet efficiency and compliance, while minimising preemptive inspections.

OTR Australia General Manager – Sales, Travis Parsons, said one of the company's most popular offerings is its non-destructive testing service, which is used to identify corrosion, cracks, burrs or other imperfections. He said this is achieved through ultrasonic and magnetic particle testing, which gives clients extremely accurate results on wheel and rim conditions.

“In essence, we look for anything that might prevent the wheel or rim performing optimally,” Travis said. “Safely reducing our client’s

downtime is the heart of these operations.

“Our workshop team will inspect and assess your wheels and rims to ensure any defects are identified and provide advice on the best course of action for repair.

“Nationally our facilities are widespread and located in areas to best suit our customer base.”

Wheel expertise

Aside from holistic maintenance and repair services, OTR Australia is also gaining popularity amongst domestic industry operators for its ability to extend wheel life.

“There are now a range of products available to maximise the life of a wheel,” Travis explained.

“These heavy-duty options allow for extended service intervals, which in turn safely saves our clients downtime.”

Travis says OTR can also help clients identify the right kind of wheel for their operation.

“Depending on our client’s scope, lightweight wheels may be the best option as they enable higher payload by reducing tare machine weight,” he said. “With our in-house engineering and manufacturing, we are designing and manufacturing new items every month.”

One stop wheel shop

Operators looking for a fresh set of wheels can also engage OTR Australia for purpose-

built solutions designed and manufactured in Australia.

Specially crafted to thrive in Australian terrain, the wheels and rims are a more durable product, engineered to the unique mineral-resources sector environment.

Travis said Australian-made products mean clients can enjoy easy sourcing and highquality products made with local knowledge, and that the company offers a complete range of wheels, stretching from six inches to 63 inches in diameter, including fixed welded wheels, adjustable bolted tractor wheels, and demountable rim options.

“We manufacture and carry a complete axle assembly and spare parts range, too,” Travis pointed out. “It’s so we can also support our OEM and aftermarket clients.

“Within our Australia-owned business group, we can supply tyres, solid fill, tyre fitting, and advice for all tyre requirements. It’s a real onestop shop.

“We understand your fleet is critical to your business, and it all starts with the wheels. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can support you.”

For more information call 1300 791 672 or visit: www.otraustralia.com to see how the team can help.

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INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

Jetland ramps up the action on heavy-duty loading The team at Jetland Loading Ramps understands the needs of Australian contractors, owner operators, and the industries they serve.

Machinery loading ramps perform a critical role in ensuring that today's earthmoving equipment and specialised vehicles can be safely and efficiently delivered to any site.

Experienced operators know that construction sites may present some surprising challenges for unloading and rely heavily on a robust ramp system to get their gear onto a site.

Using appropriate loading ramps can make all the difference to safety and efficiency. No one understands this better than Jetland Loading Ramps, who has designed and engineered loading ramps that satisfy a complete range of industry needs. The range of Jetland ramps includes models for applications such as loading and unloading goods from trucks, containers or railway cars and temporary structures and platforms.

Understanding market needs

Working closely with customers for many years, Jetland Loading Ramps is fully conversant with the challenges and needs of different industries and over time has earned a positive reputation for quality and safety. Today, Jetland is considered the most innovative supplier of quality robust ramp solutions for all types of businesses throughout Australia.

In addition to its comprehensive range of standard ramps, Jetland can custom build ramps to suit any particular need or application such as removalist ramps, rolling ramps, wheelchair ramps, and other solutions which can be tailored to any specification.

All Jetland’s ramps are manufactured from the highest quality materials and to an engineered

design that makes them ideal to operate efficiently and safely throughout the toughest conditions, including those found in industries such as mining and construction.

Safety is a priority

For Jetland’s engineers, the priority is meeting or exceeding loading ramp safety standards. All products feature anti-slip surfaces for maximum traction of vehicles and machinery during loading unloading. Another safety feature includes locking pins to ensure that ramps cannot move once locked in place for use.

The standard range of Jetland ramps include: • A Series – suitable for rubber track machines in 2-8 tonne load capacities and 2.5-4.2m in length • B Series – suitable for rubber track and rubber tyre machines; available in 2-8 tonne load capacities and 1.8-3.9m lengths • C Series – suitable for rubber track, rubber tyre machines; available in 4-21 tonne load capacities and machines from 2.5-4.5m in length.

innovation. The D series ramps are suitable for machines with steel tracks, rubber pads on steel, and rubber-tyred machines.

Free shipping Australia-wide

No matter where you are, you can access the range of Jetland ramps easily, thanks to the company’s free Australia wide shipping policy.

Enquiries regarding details and conditions of the service can be made via the Jetland Loading Ramps website.

Jetland ramp customers are fully supported by a highly knowledgeable and attentive customer service team, while customers have the additional assurance of being covered by full 12-month warranty.

For further information about the full range of Jetland Loading Ramps, visit: www.jetlandramps.com.au

Heavy duty D Series

In response to a growing market demand, Jetland Loading Ramps has also released the D Series ramps which cater for heavy machines of up to 40 tonnes. The company says its D Series ramps are the first 40-tonne rated loading ramp available in Australia.

The introduction of these D series ramps that can support up to 40 tonnes clearly demonstrates the company's commitment to design improvement and engineering Ramps are stocked in a wide range of configurations, and custom orders are available upon request.

Jetland’s ramps are manufactured with the highest quality materials.

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INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

Hazell Bros expands Hidromek fleet Tasmanian contractor Hazell Bros has added another new Hidromek excavator to its fleet.

Hazell Bros was founded in 1944 by brothers Donald and Rowley Hazell as a transport business operating in Southern Tasmania.

Throughout its 75+ year history, the family owned and operated company has diversified its operations and business offerings to meet the prevailing economic conditions.

Having expanded into Queensland and South Australia, Hazell Bros’ core business offering covers civil construction, quarries, concrete, construction material testing, plant hire, transport, asset servicing, and industrial services.

With a 700-strong team of employees, Hazell Bros enjoys a longstanding reputation for reliability in providing service solutions and the supply of quality products and materials.

The right equipment

John Hogan from Hazell Bros, speaking from the Hydro Tas project on Lake King William in Tasmania, discusses the site conditions and where a brand-new 52-tonne Hidromek HMK500LCHD fits into the company’s fleet.

John has over 40 years’ experience in the industry and has worked for and with Hazell Bros for many of those years. He is highly regarded in the industry and has worked as a superintendent on many projects. John has extensive experience in bulk excavations, and takes pride in finding the right machine for any Hazell Bros project.

“We are constructing intake and outlet portals as well as a tunnel for Hydro Tasmania,” he

says. “The material and ground is very wet and boggy. Onsite, we have seven excavators including the new 52-tonner, a loader, three dozers, and seven 40- and 30-tonne articulated dump trucks. The machines are loading out 120,000 cubic metres of very wet clay.”

John says the team is also about to start on the drilling and blasting of rock and will begin loading out hard dolerite shortly.

“It hasn’t been the easiest of work and the HMK500LCHD has done a good job,” he says.

“We have an HMK300LC here as well and have had no issues with that either.”

It is expected that the project will run until the end of summer 2024.

Value and performance

John says Hazell Bros is very thorough in its approach to buying new equipment, reviewing service manuals, and ensuring all specs are in line with business requirements.

“We took into consideration the pricing, which was nearly $300,000 below some of the other options, and then looked at the breakout horsepower and compared cycle times,” he says.

As the team already had experience owning Hidromek excavators and recognised the HMK500LCHD would also meet their requirements, the excavator was ordered and delivered early 2023.

John says that while the cab design was not a specific factor in the purchase decision, operators have been very pleased with the

operating experience since the machine’s delivery.

“Our operator Rob has been in the industry a long time and is very impressed with the comfort of the machine,” he says. “He would have sat in just about every brand out there and he definitely likes this one, so that is worth noting.

“Rob is also happy with the way it digs, happy with the power and its overall performance since it’s been here.”

John says the HMK500LCHD’s simplicity of maintenance has also impressed his team.

“They really like the auto greaser, and servicing has been good – no complaints,” he says. “We haven’t actually needed to do much work on it.”

Asked if he would recommend Hidromek, John doesn’t hesitate.

“Yes, I would recommend Hidromek, the operators like them and that makes a big difference,” he says. “They find it very comfortable and easy to operate. The Hidromeks do what they say they will do, they’re not down on power, and with no breakdowns to speak of.”

John also has nothing but positive comments about Hidromek dealer Onetrak’s aftersales support, and his experience working with Onetrak Territory Manager Rodney Onions.

“We know Rodney really well, and he and Onetrak have worked well with us here at Hazell Bros,” John says. “But we wouldn’t expect anything else from Onetrak!”

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INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

Fecon Australia the key to success Victorian-based Bushfire Mitigation & Land Services prides itself on leaving the minimum environmental footprint, and credits Fecon products with helping achieve that goal. standard-flow mulcher, which also met the company’s requirements and allowed work in more confined spaces.

“The mulcher fitting to a smaller machine meant we were able to meet our environmental goals,” Edan points out, “and we’re able to mulch fine fuels to mitigate bushfire risk.”

Adding the Fecon equipment to the Bushfire Mitigation & Land Services fleet allowed offering much-needed grinding and mulching services, and Edan’s business grew as a result.

The company now offers a broader range of fire-mitigation services with an eye firmly fixed on the company’s environmental goals.

A good decision Bushfire Mitigation & Land Services hasn't looked back since the move to Fecon equipment.

Bushfire Mitigation & Land Services is a family owned and operated business specialising in preparing private property and public land to reduce the impact of fire, and to recover from both fire and severe storm events.

Based in Victoria, services offered by the company include mulching and mowing, planned burn preparation, weed management, chainsaw operations, property and fence line clearing, rural fencing, fire break and emergency track clearing construction, stump grinding with minimal ground disturbance, storm recovery works, and vegetation rehabilitation.

Owner Edan Brennan has over 15 years’ extensive experience working in the prevention and suppression of bushfires and on the frontline fighting some of the most significant fires in Victoria and NSW for both government and volunteer agencies. With the commencement of the business they went looking for new specialised equipment that could assist in the mitigation of vegetation hazards.

Personal touch

Edan’s final decision to run with Fecon products came down to the machinery conforming to his company’s ideals, the quality of the product, and value for investment. But meeting Fecon Business Development Manager Jake Langdon was another big contributing factor.

“The service from Jake was outstanding,” Edan remembers. “He didn’t pressure us to purchase, and his professionalism was next level. We felt supported, well informed, and knew purchasing through Fecon Australia was the right option for our business.”

Growth

Following the success of the stump grinder, Edan and his team researched the Fecon

Bushfire Mitigation & Land Services hasn’t looked back since the move to Fecon equipment allowed an increase in services offered to customers, and Edan is looking to further expansion and a bright future for the company.

“Our work in stump grinding has seen us grind in excess of 2000 stumps along forestry roads, providing a clear path for future maintenance of the roadside vegetation,” he says. “And the ability to mulch fine fuels in environmentally sensitive areas means we’re able to reduce the risk of bushfires to local communities.

“The ability to run both pieces of equipment from a smaller machine has enabled us to operate with a minimal footprint, and reducing the impact on the ground guarantees the preservation of native flora and fauna, safeguarding our environment for future generations.”

To see more Fecon equipment, log on to: www.fecon.net.au

The Fecon difference

“We identified a need for a stump grinder that could efficiently grind stumps with minimal ground disturbance,” explains Edan.

“But we needed a grinder to operate more safely than other products we saw currently on the market.”

After a thorough search of available equipment and watching that equipment in action on YouTube, Edan’s crew found its way to the Fecon website, which allowed a comparison of specifications and operations. It also displayed videos of the equipment is use.

“After completing our research, we saw Fecon was offering equipment that met our needs,” says Edan.

The business' work in stump grinding has seen the removal of more than 2000 stumps along forestry roads.

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EYE ON THE INDUSTRY

The M480B is an ideal solution for tough terrains, soft soil conditions, and demanding duty cycles.

Versatility in action Now available through dealer Onetrak, Tigercat’s range of mulchers offers the comfort and productivity the ever-evolving land management industry demands.

Tigercat's mulcher range includes two wheeled versions, the M726G and the 760B, alongside a tracked version, the M480B. These machines prove their versatility in applications such as pipeline cleaning, shrubbery and regrowth clearance, powerline right-of-way projects, land subdivision, golf course maintenance, site preparation, and controlled fire hazard reduction.

The versatile mulchers promise to deliver power, efficiency, and reliability, addressing the demands of challenging terrains and timesensitive projects.

The 760B is Tigercat’s largest wheeled mulcher.

Power in tough terrains: The M480B

The M480B mulcher, classified as a 411kW (550hp) class carrier, stands out as an ideal solution for tough terrains, soft soil conditions, and demanding duty cycles. It is an ideal carrier for large-scale clearing and right-of-way projects.

Key features of the M480B mulcher include a responsive closed loop track drive system and heavy-duty track frames and mounting system.

The machine incorporates an automatic variable speed fan for improved fuel economy, a reversing cycle to combat airborne dust and debris, and Tigercat's renowned heavy-duty build quality for reliability and reliable uptime in time-sensitive projects.

Operator comfort is prioritised with features like a quiet, climate-controlled operator's station, a tilting cab for additional access to components, and an extreme-duty, heated and cooled, air-ride seat.

High horsepower for precision clean-up: The 760B

In the wheeled category, the 760B mulcher takes the lead as the largest wheeled mulcher, boasting a 420kW (569hp) class carrier. Ideal for silviculture site preparation and postharvest clean-up, this model achieves quick

working speeds and offers a wide swath for high production. Equipped with Tigercat's FPT engine, the 760B also showcases the boom float system, ensuring that the mulching head automatically follows terrain contours, ensuring precision in tough terrains, slopes, and gullies.

The 760B mulcher's design features a durable Tigercat construction, a heavy-duty front chassis and boom system, and Tigercatdesigned axles, transmission, and pump drive gearbox for proven reliability. Operator convenience is evident in the design: large doors for easy access to daily service points, and a quiet, climate-controlled operator's station. The standard rear-view camera system further enhances the operator experience and site safety.

4061-30 mulching heads. These heads, boasting a width of up to 3m, are beltdriven with twin drive motors, variable displacement, replaceable teeth, and wear liners throughout. This ensures the performance, uptime, and confidence required for large-scale right-of-way and site preparation applications, as well as silviculture site preparation work and stump grinding.

Tigercat is committed to meeting the evolving needs of the land management industry. The M726G, M480B, and 760B models bring enhanced capabilities, operator comfort, and efficiency to the forefront, setting the standard for mulching machinery in Australia and beyond.

Consistency across the range: Tigercat mulching heads

Contact your nearest Onetrak branch on 1300 727 520 for expert advice, machine viewing, demonstrations, and pricing.

The mulchers are equipped with Tigercat's

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In stock now

EYE ON THE INDUSTRY

Carmix: Mixing on the move Carmix provides versatile solutions for concrete-related applications in remote, isolated, and hard-to-reach areas. Discover how these expertly crafted Italian machines can enhance efficiency on your project.

Boyd says using Carmix units as transit mixers is a big area of opportunity.

Carmix has carved a niche as a premier supplier of specialised equipment in the concrete sector for 50 years. Renowned for their Italian heritage and craftsmanship, the brand is synonymous with pioneering solutions tailored to overcome concrete-related hurdles in remote and inaccessible areas.

With more than two decades of expertise in supplying specialised machinery across various sectors, Pilecom Equipment has held the status of the sole distributor for Carmix in Australia since 2018. Since assuming this role, the company has engineered customised solutions for numerous projects with complex logistical requirements.

Boyd Cousins, Managing Director and Shareholder of Pilecom Equipment, describes some recent highlights for Carmix equipment in and around Australia.

“We currently have two of our large 5.5XL models working with a 45-tonne horizontal cement silo, which is batching 60 cubic meters per day for a large solar farm near Mudgee in New South Wales,” he says.

“We have also seen units transporting concrete down an extremely steep state forest track in St. Ives, and transporting more than 85 cubic metres of concrete up 1.5km of very steep hill in Karratha for a new meteorology station.”

As well as providing concrete solutions to

Carmix equipment is well suited to remote and rough terrain.

various site in WA and the NT, Carmix units have also been in operation batching kerb concrete on Tiwi Island – and Boyd says Pilecom is also now sending units to Papua New Guinea.

“Using Carmix units as a transit mixer is also a big area of opportunity,” Boyd says.

“Contractors can offer state and telco operators

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an alternative means to move concrete – and much cheaper than using helicopters and multiple pump lines.”

Full coverage

“Pilecom Equipment is proud of our operations and construction division that possesses and operates Carmix machinery,” Boyd says.

Carmix has been a leading provider of specialised concrete machinery for 50 years.

“This empowers us to propose an exhaustive commissioning and handover scheme that incorporates training for the operators and maintenance crews of our clientele.

“Providing the right training is very important.

We even currently have training managers out from Carmix’s Italian factory to offer more indepth levels of training to our customers.”

This unwavering commitment to addressing the entire spectrum of cement handling for clients is encapsulated by Pilecom Equipment's ethos: “We don't just sell equipment – we sell a concrete solution.”

Carmix's line-up includes six rough terrain 4x4 models, with capacities ranging from the compact 1-cubic-metre Carmix One to the sizable Carmix 5.5XL. Each is meticulously crafted to satisfy specific concrete mix demands.

This range is complemented by three cement handling devices, from a 3-tonne bulk bag hopper to a 45-tonne horizontal silo, accommodating daily production volumes between 10 and 100 cubic metres.

Securing and supplying units that align with the necessities of Australian contractors is an endeavour that Boyd approaches with vigour. He says that predicting client needs is fundamental.

“Readiness of stock is crucial,” he says. “But aligning the right unit with the designated project is the real challenge.”

Boyd points out that self-mixing concrete also brings the task of managing cement supplies to the forefront. To cater to this, Pilecom Equipment offers a variety of self-loading options: • 20kg bags

• 1000kg bulk bags • Bulk tanker cement weighing 25/28 tonnes.

“In managing our inventory levels, we also take into account our clients' need for cement handling solutions,” Boyd adds.

To this end, Pilecom Equipment maintains a stock of: • Carmix Bagger – a 3-tonne bulker bagger screw feed hoppers equipped with a Honda Engine, negating the need for a generator • Carmix Silo HC46 – a 50-tonne horizontal silo featuring load cells and telescopic legs.

For further information, visit www.carmix.com.au, or contact via email at sales@pilecomequipment.com.au.

Boyd Cousins can also be directly reached at 0400 365 575.

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EYE ON THE INDUSTRY

USCREENIT is a dry-hire company specialising in the hire of screens and conveyors based on Sydney’s South Coast.

Easy screening Established in 2010 and continuing to support customers across the eastern seaboard, USCREENIT is a dry-hire company specialising in the hire of screens and conveyors based on Sydney’s South Coast.

Nev at USCREENIT is more than happy to recommend Onetrak, Jason, and Anaconda to anyone, and he’s especially pleased with the support and back-up.

market. Complete with a heavy-duty 12-foot double-deck vibrating grid, it can be fed directly with an articulated truck, loader, excavator, or work in conjunction with a crusher. It’s built to handle the toughest of applications, and has the capacity to deal with up to 375TPH, dependent on how it’s fed.

When asked to compare Anaconda to other machines on the market Nev said, “There are potentially more sophisticated machines in the top end of the market, but it comes down to the simplicity of the Anaconda. Machines at the top end of the market can sometimes be too complex.

“My preference is for a non-computerised machine. The new Anaconda range is very good.”

Highly recommended Having been involved in the recycling industry for many years, Nev Bussa started hiring out a screen here and there in 2010, expanding to today’s business with a fleet of 35 machines.

Over the years Nev has owned a variety of competitor machines, including reclaimers and incline screens, and has an extensive range of Anaconda equipment including stackers, reclaimers, incline double- and triple-deck screens.

The business has grown in recent years due to a high demand for equipment, and the USCREENIT fleet has expanded.

Many of the 10-15 machines purchased during this expansion phase have been from the Anaconda range, and we asked why Anaconda was Nev's choice.

“I wanted to explore a different supplier that I could build a good relationship with,” he

explained. “Fortunately, I was able to do this with Onetrak and with their Product Support Manager for Crushing and Screening, Jason MacDonald.

“Anaconda also has great products, and I was especially interested in the FSL100.”

FSL100

Onetrak and USCREENIT first met at the 2021 Diesel Dirt and Turf at Eastern Creek where Nev first saw the FSL100. Since then, the relationship has grown, as has Nev’s fleet.

“It is also about price, availability and service, which Onetrak and Anaconda have been able to provide,” Nev added.

The Anaconda FSL100 scalping screen has been designed to deal with heavy-duty scalping applications, and is one of the most robust and reliable scalping screens on the

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In the dry-hire business, the machinery needs to be robust and reliable with good back-up and service. The feedback Nev has received from his customers is that the machines are easy to operate and simple to use.

Regarding Anaconda in general, Nev observed, “I’ve found Anaconda to be great. When there’s been an issue, they are proactive in listening to the customers and making changes that make the machines better for the future. They seem to be in it for the long-haul.”

Nev is more than happy to recommend Onetrak, Jason, and Anaconda to anyone asking, and he’s especially pleased with the support and back-up.

Onetrak is the official dealer for Anaconda equipment. Visit onetrak.com.au or call 1300 727 520 to get in touch with Jason and the team.

EYE ON THE INDUSTRY

Toolkwip Pumps' new Brisbane branch.

Toolkwip Pumps makes a splash in Queensland A brand-new branch in Brisbane’s east is set to extend Toolkwip Pumps’ sales, service, and support offering across the sunshine state.

If you're in the earthmoving or construction industries, or have ever had the need for high-quality pumping solutions, there's a good chance you've heard of Toolkwip Pumps. And if you haven’t, it’s about time. This leading name in pumping solutions has just expanded its territory across South East Queensland, with a brand-new branch in Brisbane’s east.

Driven by an unwavering commitment to its customers, this new location is more than just a storefront. The branch is stocked with top quality brands such as Flo-Kwip, Selwood, Tsurumi, Sulzer, Lowara, and Blue-white, among others. If you’re needing a pump solution in Queensland’s civil, quarry, or mining sectors, the Toolkwip team has just the right gear for you.

Now, let's talk services – because selling pumps is just the tip of the iceberg for Toolkwip.

Since 1993, the family-run business has been revolutionising the pump game. With a keen eye on the challenges that companies face – the dreaded downtime, the ripple effects of halted operations, and the domino of missed deadlines – Toolkwip has invested in fully equipped workshops and a fleet of service vehicles. So, whether your pump needs an urgent on-site fix or a complete overhaul, Toolkwip has you covered.

In fact, it’s this versatility that makes Toolkwip such a valuable partner for all your pumping needs. And building on the service available from a well-established head office in Melbourne, Toolkwip’s full suite of solutions is now available for Queensland customers.

Need a quick fix on a construction site?

Toolkwip’s rapid-response team is ready to

go. Or maybe you've got a more intricate issue that requires a deeper dive. Reach out to the team today to initiate a free on-site consultation to determine the best solution for your specific application.

But what truly sets Toolkwip apart is the team’s forward-thinking approach. The Toolkwip team is not just here to fix problems – they're here to prevent them. By focusing on routine maintenance, Toolkwip’s experts ensure that your pumps run efficiently, identifying potential hiccups before they turn into full-blown headaches. This proactive attitude can save both time and money in the long run, not to mention the added peace of mind.

As the business extends its service across Queensland, Toolkwip Pumps is not just bringing products or services – it’s offering an unparalleled partner for all your pumping needs.

Toolkwip believes in working alongside

its customers, ensuring smooth operations, productivity, and efficiency. With the team’s vast experience, they offer consultations, comprehensive design solution advice, and hands-on research to make sure you're always getting the best.

So, whether you're a long-time Toolkwip customer or just hearing about the business for the first time, this is exciting news for Queensland.

The new Brisbane branch promises to blend the professionalism of a leading brand with the warmth and dedication of a family-owned business.

Drop the Toolkwip Queensland team a line, and you might just find that they're the pumping partner you’ve been looking for.

For more information, visit: www. toolkwippumps.com.au, or contact the Brisbane branch on 07 3523 5777, or brisbane@toolkwippumps.com

The new location is stocked with top quality pump brands such as Selwood.

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EYE ON THE INDUSTRY

The Komatsu GD955-7 is purpose-built for mining operations.

Grade expectations The highly anticipated Komatsu GD955-7 grader has touched down on Australian shores.

The brand-new Komatsu GD955-7 grader has made its Australian debut in Mackay, Queensland, followed by a roadshow across the country for local mining customers who got their first look.

The GD955-7 has been designed and built specifically for mining operations, with a big focus on productivity thanks to its bladeup design, which allows for more efficient ground penetration.

Michael Hall, Komatsu’s National Mining Product Manager, said the high-spec grader has been hotly anticipated by customers for some time.

“The GD955-7 is a ground-up designed mining grader,” he said. “It can grade 33 per cent more area per hour than the previous model, with a standard 5.5m blade, or an optional 6.1m blade width for even more productivity. It also has the highest blade downforce in class and the highest engine power in class. It’s a durable machine designed for high-power grading.

“With large haul trucks on mining sites, graders need to be larger and be more productive to support them. The GD955 is well matched to larger haul trucks anywhere from 90 to over 240 tonnes, making it a great addition to mining fleets.”

The GD955 comes standard with Komatsu’s 360° camera system, KomVision, which houses a five-camera system to provide a view around the vehicle using

the KomVision monitor, with an additional rear view monitor for reversing and ripping operation.

“KomVision increases visibility for operators so they can get a full view of activity around the grader,” Michael said. “The monitor informs them if another machine is approaching or in their line of movement, a great safety feature for busy mine sites.

“The GD955-7 is also 50 per cent heavier than the previous model, meaning it can more easily grade hard-packed road surfaces and take on more demanding jobs.”

The vision from the cab is further enhanced by the 360-degree KomVision camera system.

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Several customers had the opportunity to visit Komatsu’s Ibaraki Plant in Japan earlier this year to see where the grader was manufactured and get a sneak peek before it landed in Australia.

“We had really good feedback from the customers who joined us, and plan to start delivering this new model to customers come December,” Michael said.

For more information on the GD955-7 grader, contact your local Komatsu branch on 1300 566 287.

EYE ON THE INDUSTRY

XC948 Wheel loader in Wee Waa picking up bales of cotton.

XCMG excavators building trust in the Australian market A company with a long history and a big future.

With over 40 years of experience in the industry, XCMG has established itself as the world’s third-largest construction-equipment manufacturer.

Known for its innovative and reliable machinery, XCMG offers a wide range of construction, agriculture, and industrial equipment. The company’s commitment to testing, refinement, and customer satisfaction has earned it a reputation for delivering the highest quality machinery.

XCMG has numerous global accomplishments, including being the world’s largest crane manufacturer and the thirdlargest construction-machinery manufacturer.

Its products are exported to 191 countries, and it has been included in the world’s top 500 Brands for 2021 – the year the company generated $13.2 billion in revenue.

In Australia, XCMG is rapidly becoming a leading machinery supplier. Backed by a nationwide network of service, parts, and operator support, XCMG offers a diverse range of construction equipment and strives to provide the utmost customer satisfaction.

Global footprint

XCMG’s esteemed range of construction machinery is a result of its global presence in manufacturing, research and development, field testing, and continuous improvement.

With major facilities in Germany, Brazil, USA, India, and China, XCMG has developed a renowned range of machinery. In Australia, the company offers over 30 models of heavy and mini excavators, wheel loaders, rollers, graders, scissor lifts, and boom lifts, all designed and built with unmatched reliability, versatility, and durability. These machines feature high-quality

The folks at Sydney Brewery, near Cessnock in NSW, love the reliability and versatility of the XCMG XE55U fitted with a grapple.

componentry from celebrated brands like Cummins, Kubota, Eaton, Bosch-Rexroth, Isuzu, ZF and more.

Nationwide dealer network

To ensure customer satisfaction, XCMG has established a nationwide dealer network which includes dealerships and service agents providing premium backup and support across Australia. XCMG prioritises customer satisfaction throughout the lifespan of their machines by offering top-notch equipment, parts, service, and assistance.

The company’s dealers are highly capable and customer-focused, working tirelessly to deliver the ideal machinery solution to each customer.

Authorised service agents throughout each state also offer technical service work,

ensuring timely and efficient service.

Customer feedback on XCMG construction equipment has been overwhelmingly positive, with hundreds of happy customers nationwide.

Rockwell Quarries said, “I have been using XCMG loaders for over 12 years now…two of them have done over 10,000 hours of work and we are impressed with the performance.

“These loaders have proved themselves to be dependable and reliable.”

Overall, XCMG is building a reputation in the Australian market for trust, reliability, and dependability.

For more information on XCMG’s diverse range of machinery, and to contact your nearest Australian dealer, visit XCMG Sales & Services at www.xcmgmachinery.com.au.

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EYE ON THE INDUSTRY

Tilly’s boasts a team of skilled parts interpreters who understand the intricacies of earthmoving machinery and are always ready to assist customers in finding the perfect parts for their specific needs.

Tilly’s Crawler Parts When it comes to convenience, competitive pricing and great customer service, Tilly’s Crawler Parts in Toowoomba, southeast Queensland, is leading the way for earthmoving parts and equipment.

Tilly’s carries over 40,000 new alternative part lines in its warehouse, and its long-term promise of ‘Right Part, Right Price, Right Now’ is more evident than ever with its extensive online offering.

Proven performer

With a history spanning nearly 40 years, the past few years have seen the Tilly’s business model transition from a machine dismantling and used parts-focus to an innovative, forwardthinking company offering quality, affordable new parts and attachments for machine owners and operators across Australia.

Tilly's commitment to providing a superior customer experience doesn’t stop at its extensive inventory or online platform — it extends to the knowledgeable and experienced sales team. Tilly’s boasts a team of skilled parts interpreters who understand the intricacies of earthmoving machinery and are always ready to assist customers in finding the perfect parts for their specific needs. Seasoned professional or a newcomer to the industry, Tilly’s sales team is there to guide its customers, ensuring informed decisions every step of the way.

Bedrock Attachments

One of the more recent additions to Tilly’s huge parts inventory is the extensive selection of Bedrock Attachments.

Tilly’s makes doing business easier with a $3000 (including GST) instant credit account for new customers.

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With a reputation as one of the world’s largest construction-machinery attachment manufacturers, Bedrock provides an everexpanding range of cost-effective alternatives, driven by quality and built to last.

Bedrock Attachments currently in stock at Tilly’s Toowoomba HQ includes but is not limited to ripper groups, scrub canopies, front blades, sweeps and stick rakes. Wheel loader forks and variations of quick hitch and thumbs suitable for a range of excavators round out the ever-expanding range available on order.

Tilly’s customers are loving the Bedrock gear.

Here’s some of the recent feedback the team has received: “SB GRADER HIRE runs a fleet of six Cat® 150M graders and utilise Bedrock front dozer blades on five of these tractors.

“We find they are nearly half the price of other products, but give the same results and haven’t had one fail. Tilly’s always gives us the best deal and the service is great!”

One of the more recent additions to Tilly’s huge parts inventory is the extensive selection of Bedrock Attachments.

Stephen Banks SB Grader Hire, NSW

“We purchased a Bedrock Quad Ripper and Foldable Stick rake for our D6R tractor. It was easy to fit, well-built, and continues to give us a great run. They are great value for money and continue to be straight and true.”

B Stallman Stallcher Earthmoving, QLD

“We purchased two Bedrock Stick rakes from Tilly’s and use them on our D5G dozer. We’ve been extremely happy with the quality of the attachments and the service from Peter. Thanks.”

With a reputation as one of the world’s largest construction-machinery attachment manufacturers, Bedrock provides an ever-expanding range of cost-effective alternatives, driven by quality and built to last.

A Burrows Contracting Tasmania

Customer friendly

Tilly’s makes doing business easier with a $3000 (including GST) instant credit account for new customers. The process for signing up is quick, simple, and convenient, and the advantages of having a Tilly’s online account include access to invoices and payment, re-ordering and preferential pricing.

Tilly’s understands the time-constraints on its customers who are often only able to look at ordering or researching after hours. It’s why the Tilly’s team has been working hard to get its entire inventory available online, with a simple add-to-cart system enabling ordering 24/7, with order confirmation by the friendly team within one business day.

Tilly’s – your number-one choice for earthmoving parts and equipment: tillys.com.au.

Tilly’s carries over 40,000 new alternative part lines in its warehouse, and its long-term promise is ‘Right Part, Right Price, Right Now’.

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EYE ON THE INDUSTRY

Maximise your skid steer's potential with Flipscreen In the world of heavy machinery, versatility is king. Every piece of equipment should be a powerhouse in its own right, ready to tackle a multitude of tasks. That’s where Flipscreen comes in, transforming a skid steer into a true force to be reckoned with. Let’s dive deep into the world of Flipscreen and explore how this innovative attachment can revolutionise your operations.

Flipscreen transforms a skid steer into a true force to be reckoned with.

Versatility unleashed: the Flipscreen advantage

Imagine having a single tool in your arsenal that effortlessly adapts to ever-changing needs.

That’s exactly what Flipscreen brings to the table. Here’s why it stands out: • Multiple mesh sizes: whether working with fine materials or dealing with substantial aggregates, Flipscreen offers mesh sizes ranging from 6mm to 300mm. This versatility ensures you’re equipped for any job, large or small • Quick mesh changes: time is money, and Flipscreen understands that. With the ability to swap meshes on-site in under five minutes and with just one operator, you’ll experience unparalleled efficiency • Repurposing native land: sustainability matters, and Flipscreen helps make a difference. By repurposing native land, you not only save on material purchases, but showcase your commitment to eco-friendly practices • Effortless screening: say goodbye to cumbersome processes. Flipscreen allows loading fines directly into a truck while efficiently dumping oversize materials wherever needed. Laying topsoil becomes a breeze • Brush kit: wet and sticky materials? No problem. Flipscreen’s brush kit ensures screening remains smooth and clog-free, even in challenging conditions • Mixing capabilities: beyond screening,

From topsoil to tough steel slag, Flipscreen’s a true all-rounder.

Flipscreen is a versatile mixer. In just five minutes it can be transformed with a mixing plate, complete with internal agitators. These agitators ensure the even mixing of materials, taking projects to a whole new level of efficiency and precision. Whether crafting the perfect concrete blend or preparing a seed mix for a landscaping project, Flipscreen’s mixing prowess ensures consistent results every time. Whether working with concrete, seed blends, or soil mixes, it handles the task with ease. This also saves on extra tool purchases with a multitask advantage • On-site material washing: if there’s a water source nearby, Flipscreen enables on-site material washing. This is a game-changer, saving time and resources • Screen any material: from topsoil to tough steel slag, Flipscreen takes it all in its stride.

It’s a true all-rounder for all screening needs • Model for any skid steer: no matter the size of skid steer, there’s a Flipscreen model designed to fit it perfectly • Low-maintenance, extra-durable design: opt for Flipscreen’s models designed for durability and minimal maintenance. It’s the best of both worlds • Obstruction-free engineering: Flipscreen’s innovative design ensures no internal components to become obstructed. This means fewer breakdowns and more productivity • Save on haulage and tip fees: Every penny counts in business, and Flipscreen helps keep

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costs down, especially when it comes to haulage and tip fees • Watertight standard bucket: in a pinch, Flipscreen doubles as a watertight, standard bucket. It’s the kind of flexibility needed on the job.

Unleash your skid steer’s potential

Flipscreen isn’t just an attachment; it’s a game-changer for any skid steer. It’s about maximising the machine’s potential, streamlining operations, and delivering outstanding results. When you choose Flipscreen you’re choosing innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.

Join the Flipscreen revolution

Are you ready to transform your skid-steer operations? Join the growing community of professionals who have made Flipscreen a must-have tool. Experience the power of versatility, efficiency, and innovation that Flipscreen brings to the world of heavy machinery.

Contact Flipscreen today

Ready to take the next step and revolutionise your skid steer operations?

Contact Flipscreen today to explore how it can make a difference for your business. Call National Sales Manager Joshua Hartley on 0435 318 065. Don’t miss out on the Flipscreen advantage!

EYE ON THE INDUSTRY

Caltex returns with premium business solutions The Caltex brand you know and love has returned, with the brand committing to supporting earthmoving businesses Australia-wide.

Chevron has the capabilities to manufacture lubricants by producing its own base oil.

Backed by Chevron, one of the world’s leading energy companies with more than 70 years of history in Australia, Caltex brings to the marketplace high-quality fuel and lubricants, plus a fleet management system offering that is fully adaptable for businesses of any size.

Behind this renewed commitment to Australia, Caltex is strengthening its distribution network, ensuring delivery of products to keep the nation moving.

Beyond the retail experience, Caltex brings an all-encompassing product offering to earthmoving operators that covers all facets of operations.

Leading the charge is the innovative fuel system-cleaning ingredient Techron®, which is available in every fuel grade, helping remove dirt and prevent deposits from forming on critical engine components.

You can also experience Caltex Diesel with Techron D, a premium performance additive suitable for all diesel-powered engines, with the formulation that helps to clean injectors and protect components from corrosion while reducing the possibility of foaming as you fill up.

Chevron has the capabilities to manufacture lubricants by producing its own base oil.

Accompanying the premium fuel range are the Caltex Delo® lubricants, including earthmoving

consumables such as engine oils, hydraulic system oils, transmission oils, engine antifreeze/ coolants, gear drive fluid, grease for bearings, and more.

Caltex Delo® contains ISOSYN® Technology, a high-performance additive formulation drawing on over 88 years of development to help protect vital diesel engine parts, provide exceptional soot dispersion, and prevent deposit buildup. It also helps provide engine durability and extend service intervals, ensuring optimal engine performance.

Adding further confidence, Chevron has the capabilities to manufacture lubricants by producing its own base oil, maintains 21 individual blending plants globally (including joint ventures) and owns Oronite, one of the world’s biggest additive companies.

To keep businesses running smoothly, the Caltex StarCard is a power-packed fuel management card offering a convenient way to increase fleet management efficiency.

It provides a wide range of adaptable features to manage fleets big and small, control personal expenses, and is perfectly suited to companies engaged in earthmoving, with various vehicle make-ups of trucks, passenger vehicles, and plant machinery.

It has two main options, either ‘Open’ or

‘Closed’ loop. Open loop provides the ultimate coverage allowing access to all Caltex and Puma Energy service stations, and being welcome wherever WEX Motorpass cards are accepted, meaning you can use it at over 6000 service stations and industry partners Australia-wide.

Open Loop StarCards can also be used wherever Cabcharge is accepted and for services at Magic Hand Carwashes.

A closed loop card means businesses can avoid paying transaction fees while enjoying access to the range of Caltex with Techron® fuels.

Both options can be set up for specific drivers and vehicles, with PIN protection available too.

Additionally, StarCard provides a range of perks and discounts from leading tyre retailers, vehicle parts, and accessory retailers, vehicle servicing providers and accommodation houses.

Caltex is committed to the Australian market and making its products available to customers where and when they need them. Whether you’re running the family business or the company fleet, Caltex is there to support you with expert advice and fuel equipment solutions, quality bulk fuel supply, premium engine oils, and reliable lubricants.

To learn more about Caltex products, visit: www.caltex.com/au/business-solutions

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EYE ON THE INDUSTRY

New Trades Innovation Centre to boost skilled industry workforce Located at RMIT’s Bundoora East campus, the new Trades Innovation Centre will be a technology-backed facility designed to support a training pipeline for northern corridor population growth and infrastructure investment.

Students will learn hands-on skills within view of other trades, providing a deeper understanding of how different trades intersect. (Image courtesy of RMIT)

Students will benefit from simulations, sectorleading equipment and teaching practices, and programs that integrate job-ready and futureready industry skills.

It will also provide an opportunity for industry to use the facility to test, learn, trial, and demonstrate, and access RMIT’s expertise to solve real-world problems.

According to RMIT, it is projected that by 2025 Victoria will need more than another 4000 electricians, 2400 plumbers and 500 refrigeration mechanics.

The Trades Innovation Centre will enable RMIT to contribute to meeting forecasted demand over the next 3–5 years, in line with the Victorian Government Skills Plan and Clean Economy Workforce Skills requirements.

RMIT Deputy Vice-Chancellor Vocational Education and Vice-President, Mish Eastman, explained the importance of investment in trades education.

“Victoria is undergoing a significant transformation, marked by major infrastructure investment, a shift to a clean economy, and evolving occupational requirements,” she said.

“There is a need for hundreds of thousands of additional construction workers in the next five years to meet evolving industry workforce requirements and government initiatives such as the Victorian Big Build.

“In addition to meeting shortages in the workforce, the sector also needs to adopt technology innovation to improve productivity.”

The centre will have a 1700 square metre

footprint that includes a 2.5-metre-deep sand pit, double height ceilings throughout the workshop, and a three-storey training rig that simulates a building during construction. A modular design will allow for multi-use spaces and zones that can expand and contract as needed.

By splitting the centre into ‘trade zones’, students will learn hands-on skills within view of other trades – leading to a deeper understanding of different trades and how they intersect and complement. Students will learn on simulated work sites (frames, sub floors, and roof structures), using the latest tools and equipment.

Roll-in mobile benches with connection to virtual, augmented, and mixed reality programs will allow RMIT students to safely develop skills before engaging in ‘live’ situations, such as welding.

The building itself will be a learning experience too, with its inner workings on display (such as exposed sanitary and water tanks) and access to live technology (such as solar panels). Roof access and other outdoor zones will also be available for students.

Hybrid and online teaching will be available where face-to-face learning is not required, improving the flexibility of trades courses, and promoting a blended learning experience that maximises on-campus practical skills building.

RMIT has an existing pipeline for skilled workers and upskilling of existing trades workers, offering plumbing, carpentry,

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RMIT Deputy Vice-Chancellor Vocational Education and Vice-President, Mish Eastman. (Image courtesy of RMIT)

electro technology (electrician), building and construction, and more.

The new Trades Innovation Centre will be built in Melbourne’s northern corridor, one of the city’s fastest growing regions.

With its position at RMIT’s Bundoora East campus, the new facility will also provide a link between students and the opportunities presented by major infrastructure and construction projects in the area.

The location will also bring together trades education and the existing pre-apprenticeship training at Bundoora East and the Skills and Jobs Centre at Bundoora West.

Earthmovers recognised at CCF National Earth Awards Australia’s peak civil construction industry body Civil Contractors Federation Australia (CCF) has announced the winners of the 2023 CCF National Earth Awards.

The 2023 CCF National Earth Awards winners include:

Project value up to $2m

BridgePro / Latrobe Council | Warrawee Suspension Bridge | Tasmania Latrobe Council sent a Request for Tender for a contractor to undertake the design and construction of a new bridge. This bridge was to replace the existing trail bridge connecting the Latrobe to Railton section of the Wild Mersey Mountain bike park. The scope of the works was to deliver a new ‘high-level’ bridge that would be used for recreational use as well as part of the green-rated mountain bike trail in the Warrawee Reserve, whilst meeting all required environmental considerations.

BridgePro designed and constructed the largest pedestrian suspension bridge in the southern hemisphere. Despite a range of environmental challenges, the project was successfully delivered on budget with a lasting impact on their business, staff, and the local community.

Project value between $2m and $5m

Civilcraft | E.S. Marks Athletics Field Safety Upgrade | NSW Civilcraft was engaged by Greater Sydney Parklands to finalise the design, and construct the safety upgrade to the historic E.S. Marks Athletics Field.

The project involved the partial demolition of the grandstand and entry buildings to make way for a new 33-space carpark, on-site bus parking, architecturally designed ticket booth, and new ingress and egress routes. Construction amongst protected heritage trees required strict environmental controls, monitoring, and design changes. The project was delivered to a high standard, providing an outstanding facility to benefit the community.

Project value between $5m and $10m

Ertech | Onslow Boating Precinct Stage 1A | WA Ertech’s scope of works included the dredging of 45,000 cubic metres of material to allow the construction of a rock wall revetment; two new boat ramps; and a floating pontoon holding jetty.

Also included were a new stormwater drainage line, gross pollutant traps, sealed carpark and driveway, solar-powered street lighting, and associated road furniture.

Ertech’s alternative methodology involved a temporary earth bund, complete with dewatering systems, to protect the work area from the influence of tides. This allowed work to be performed up to 8m below high tide level, with most dredging and rock revetment works completed in dry conditions. The entire boat ramp construction was performed in the dry, hugely improving safety and efficiency.

The CCF is Australia’s peak body for the civil construction industry.

Project value between $10m and $30m

Melbourne Water, John Holland-KBR Joint Venture, Interflow and Welltech Total Water Management | Epsom Main Sewer Rehabilitation | Victoria Melbourne Water, John Holland-KBR Joint Venture, Interflow and Welltech Total Water Management delivered the high-risk rehabilitation of 1.6km of the Epsom Main Sewer. The project’s technical complexities were responded to by the team with an innovative, collaborative, and sustainable mindset. The project installed a bypass sewer network that surcharged flow upstream to minimise stakeholder impacts and designed and installed a mechanical plug to create a safer work environment.

The project was delivered on budget and time and met stakeholder commitments. The team ensured the experience of project impacts by community, businesses, and stakeholders were minimised.

Project value between $30m and $75m

BMD Constructions | Mt Crosby East Bank Water Treatment Plant Upgrade | QLD BMD Constructions was engaged by Seqwater as the principal contractor to deliver upgrade works at the Mt Crosby Water Treatment Plant in the western suburbs of Brisbane. The treatment plant is a critical asset for the safe delivery and supply of over 50 per cent of the water produced by the utility provider for South-East Queensland.

The upgrades were critical to ensure the integrity of the water supply and compliance requirements for the next 25 years. Essential works included upgrading the ageing infrastructure’s filtration system, replacing the existing controller programme, and moving all controls onto a new system. Given the project was undertaken in a fully operational water treatment plant, maintaining operations was key to the success of the project. BMD was also able to deliver the project four months ahead of program with no interruptions to supply.

Project value between $75m and $150m

Seymour Whyte Constructions Pty Ltd | Pacific Motorway Upgrade Varsity Lakes to Burleigh (VL2B) | QLD Seymour Whyte – on behalf of the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads – delivered the Gold Coast’s first Diverging Diamond Interchange on the M1 Pacific Motorway’s Exit 87 to ease congestion and improve traffic flow. Within the overall six-lane motorway widening upgrade, the project also delivered a positive biodiversity legacy and was optimised for circular economy outcomes.

The team successfully delivered Queensland’s first Infrastructure Sustainability rating on a construct-only contract. Seymour Whyte’s approach to ‘working in partnership’ with all project stakeholders was key in successfully delivering this project, injecting 98 per cent of project value into the local economy, with 3.9 per cent going to First Nations businesses.

Project value greater than $150m

Fulton Hogan Construction Pty Ltd | Princes Highway Upgrade Albion Park Rail Bypass | NSW Transport for NSW engaged Fulton Hogan to design and construct the Albion Park Rail bypass – the largest infrastructure project in the region’s history. The 9.8km Princes Motorway extension between Yallah and Oak Flats bypassed the town of Albion Park Rail. With improved travel times, it completes the ‘missing link’ for a high-quality road between Sydney and Bomaderry.

Despite significant rainfall, complex traffic staging over live roads and railway, working under a flight path, at-house noise mitigation treatments, soft soils, and a net import balance; the project was delivered ahead of schedule and on budget. Despite the unforeseen challenges of geotechnical movement, an existing water leak, deer, an unexploded ordnance, and asbestos contamination, the team worked collaboratively to resolve all issues and deliver several legacy environmental, safety, and community initiatives.

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CIVIL CONTRACTORS FEDERATION QUEENSLAND

Damian says many Queensland contractors are under significant pressure.

a

Building urgency

Damian Long, CCF QLD CEO, highlights a growing sense of urgency for Queensland’s infrastructure construction sector.

“Houston, we have a problem”, or in our case, “Queensland, we have a problem.”

The Strategic Review of the Infrastructure Investment Program (‘the 90-day review’) continues past 180 days. I am being told that any outcome from the review will not be presented prior to the mid-year economic update which will likely be December 2023.

This means that it is unlikely that any project would be able to commence until late in the first quarter of 2024. This means that any further delays will carry on the impacts that the unnecessary uncertainty has already caused.

Some companies in some sectors are laying staff off. Margins are tight due to rising labour and other input costs rising quicker than contractors can forecast in their tenders.

Insurance is getting more expensive and difficult to obtain. Contractors are forced to shoulder more uninsured risk. Noncash security is also becoming harder to obtain with a lack of providers in the insurance bond space and banks tightening requirements for providing bank guarantees.

There are skill gaps within all levels of the workforce. There is evidence of public funding tightening. Many clients are still insisting on hard-dollar, all-risk, contracts.

All of these are factors outside a contractor’s control that restricts their ability to build capacity, and all present at a time when contractors need to be building for the future program that is reportedly coming down the line.

Not a single sod of soil has been turned on any Olympic infrastructure. I suspect some projects will be reclassified as Olympic infrastructure but even so, the headline projects are yet to start. There is significant

investment in rail, water, and renewable energy still to start.

There is undoubtedly unaccounted private investment in projects that will leverage off the Olympics such as short-term and long-term accommodation and civic improvement.

The Queensland Government announced the Queensland’s Clean Energy Workforce Roadmap on 25 October this year. This initiative is aimed at supporting around 100,000 new jobs by 2040 by providing skilling support to desperately needed skill sets. This is a great initiative and many more initiatives that support skilling the workforce are welcome.

The reality is that a large percentage of those 100,000 jobs will be needed within two to three years if the full potential pipeline is to be realised.

Jobs require people. With theoretical full employment it will be difficult to attract workers from other industries, and if this is achieved it will be at the detriment of those industries.

We will need school leavers, underemployed, or unemployed people to commit to full-time employment and a good dose of interstate and overseas migration. All these

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groups will need training and support.

If this can be achieved, we will also need to provide housing, transport, and other services such as schools and hospitals. This is all sadly falling behind year on year. All Queenslanders will be the ones to feel the pressure of the lagging infrastructure.

All these challenges need to be addressed and none of the solutions are mutually exclusive. It will be imperative that the overlay of renewable energy and the Olympics is planned in addition to underlying fundamental infrastructure needs of Queensland. They will need to be coordinated, but not at the expense of each other.

If the underlying infrastructure delivery is under pressure, then something must go. We do not want to be in the same boat as Victoria in cancelling an international event. What makes sense is some rationality around the delivery of the renewable energy program.

There needs to be a reassessment of the types of energy projects that are needed, including the technology bases of energy generation. The location and timeline of delivery must be considered.

On current projections on the current technology, it would be sensible to delay the start of some of these projects so that the industry has the capability to deliver, and so that infrastructure delivery keeps pace with population growth.

It is ironic that as coal fired power is either not expanded or phased out, that more new forms of electricity generation will be needed to support the growing population, which will need to come first to deliver the infrastructure.

CIVIL CONTRACTORS FEDERATION VICTORIA

Lisa Kinross, CEO, CCF Victoria with new Pathways Apprentices.

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Career changers take first step on new Pathway CCF Victoria’s Pathways program combines comprehensive training with employer support with a view to help transform workplace cultures.

CCF Victoria has welcomed the first group of apprentices embarking on exciting new careers in civil construction, following the official launch of the Pathways program for women and First Nations workforce participants.

The program is specifically aimed at job seekers and career changers who have historically faced significant barriers to entry in what is generally considered to be a maledominated industry.

Participants are trained in a range of areas including site induction, cultural preparedness, and life skills before completing a Certificate III in Civil Construction Apprenticeship through a work-based placement with an employer.

“Obviously, we’re working in a very maledominated industry, but we believe the more people that are in the room, the more perspective you have and the more diverse your workforce is,” said Ashlea Murphy, a supervisor at Abergeldie Complex Infrastructure, one of the first employer partners to hire Pathways apprentices.

“The past experience of the candidates is really going to carry over and work well in our industry because it is a very customer-focused role.”

A key point of difference with Pathways is the support provided to employers to help them create the right working conditions and environments to ensure their new apprentices settle in effectively.

“There is a place for women in civil construction, and it’s an exciting place – one full of opportunity for women in the community,”

said Shaun Hudson, HR Manager – Operations at Rokon, which has taken on six of the first 12 apprentices following the launch day event.

“We’ve been very proactive in the last eight years, engaging with First Nations people and women within the business already.

“We want to be someone who’s providing opportunities for employees, especially women in the sector.”

The Victorian Government grant-funded

initiative will establish a pipeline of 120 new ‘Job Safe, Job Ready’ participants in civil construction careers over the first 12 months.

“By providing value-add program modules addressing cultural preparedness, employee readiness, peer-to-peer buddy and ‘Coachon-call’ services, Pathways will inject not only a new wave of talent into the workforce but commence the reshaping of the cultural posture of workplaces with its strong support programs for employers and supervisors,” said Lyndal Ellement, CCF Vic’s Executive Manager – Training, Service Delivery and Performance.

“The program is truly a first of its kind.”

Pathways will be run by CCF Vic’s Registered Training Organisation, Civil Train, in conjunction with program partners Protech, Country Elders, and Ripple Affect, with program evaluation by RMIT.

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Lyndal Ellement, Pathways Program Lead & Executive Manager, Training, Service Delivery and Performance, CCF Victoria.

www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au | EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE 151

ALLIED EARTHMOVERS ASSOCIATION

Priceless connections Allied Earthmovers Association Manager Ann Callaghan looks forward to what’s in store for the Association in 2024.

Arms Hotel at Prospect, and production of our annual Year Book now starts in earnest.

Looking back, we would like to thank CEA JCB and XCMG for their generosity in hosting Association meetings during the past year.

So, what’s in store for our Association for the new year? The Committee plans to hold as many Trade Nights as possible, so members feel more familiar with our sponsors’ premises and representatives. Our Association’s main focus is networking, and personal contact with others in the earthmoving industry; and having the opportunity to spend a couple of hours in the one place to look, learn, and ask questions is valuable to all members.

So why wouldn’t you want to be a part of all this? We realise it’s not for everyone, but if you feel you need some back-up and a sounding board, we just might be what you are looking for. And if you’re a supplier, you are very welcome to come on board too and see if we can foster a mutually beneficial association.

Give us a call on 0416 110 024 or email office@goldenbucket.com.au and see if we’re the right fit for you.

Ann Callaghan Manager

STM Trucks & Machinery hosted the October meeting at its Smeaton Grange premises.

The question is not “why should I join the Allied Earthmovers Association?”, but “why shouldn’t I join the Allied Earthmovers Association?”. It has struck me once again that newcomers to the earthmoving industry have a great need for contacts, networking, advice, and friendship.

At our last Trade Night meeting I saw the Objects of our Association being adhered to by members, without any intentionality. The promotion of friendship, co-operation, and support was apparent, along with the sharing of information for the benefit of others. These are not products you can buy off the shelf, these are properties that are priceless.

Our Association members meet each month, and we were privileged once again to be invited

by Rocco, Mark, and the team at STM Trucks & Machinery to their premises at Smeaton Grange for our October meeting. It was great to catch up with all the guys at STM – some we have known for years, and others we were very pleased to meet and learn a few new names – and to note their increased product lines.

The food was excellent and plentiful, and the facilities offered to us were first class.

The night was an opportunity for the guys to discuss any issues or problems they may be facing either on site or in business generally, or just getting others’ opinions on equipment.

As usual, the meeting included a bit of fun and a few members went home with prizes, some extremely useful, and others we were a little less sure of.

As we wrap up the year, here in the Allied Earthmovers office, we start to get busy.

Looking forward, we are preparing for our endof-year party to be held at the Royal Cricketers

Ann says membership can help foster friendship, co-operation, and support in the earthmoving industry.

Members had the chance to win a variety of prizes.

152 EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT MAGAZINE | www.earthmovers-magazine.com.au

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