Earthmoving & soil compaction

Caterpillar is increasing its focus on specific markets with technology developed for particular requirements as well as introducing a new focus for how it works with its dealers and customers. John Fallows, general manager of Caterpillar’s GCI territory said, “We are launching five new products at BICES, all of which are designed for customer needs.”

Shantui is offering high performing versions of its bulldozers as well as a new wheeled loader. The SD32 Plus bulldozer unveiled at the BICES show is the first of the high performance models from the firm and is available now, with more coming to market in due course. Aimed at export markets the SD32 Plus offers new high quality hydraulics, an upgraded power train, improved electronic controls and a heavy duty Cummins diesel. As with other bulldozers in the range it has a large volume blade that optimises e

XCMG has seen strong exports, with one deal in particular providing a major boost to turnover - Mike Woof writes It is rare that a single machine order can provide a substantial portion of a large manufacturer’s annual results. However the firm’s massive contract signed with the Venezuelan Government was a major boost to XCMG; the supply of no less than 6025 machines in a deal worth some US$750 million. This order came at an important time for the company when the world demand for construction equipment sl

Chinese bulldozer firm Shantui is building on its core competency of bulldozers, broadening its range as well as its operations – Mike Woof writes Bulldozer specialist Shantui has a clear policy of broadening its product range, having grown from being a small producer with a limited model line-up to become a major global manufacturer. The company began its diversification process in 1999, buying a road machinery range and then following this up with a line of concrete equipment in 2008. This process cont

SDLG and Volvo CE are adopting a dual brand approach – Mike Woof writes. Chinese firm SDLG and its European partner Volvo CE are working on a novel arrangement that will see the two companies use a dual brand marketing strategy. While the sales channels in these markets will remain distinct, some back office services and parts logistics will be shared, affording SDLG much greater customer support than offered by other Chinese exporters

LiuGong has been investing heavily in manufacturing and product development, as well as building international distribution – vice president David Beatenbough spoke with Mike Woof One of Chinese leading producers of wheeled loaders, LiuGong has an increasingly international flavour. The company has perhaps a larger contingent of North American and European executives and employees working in China than most of its competitors in the country.

Dressta, the LiuGong subsidiary, is striving to increase its dealership reach in key emerging markets such as Central and South America as it aims for higher machine sales. Speaking at a recent Dressta construction machine manufacturing press event at the company’s LiuGong-owned manufacturing plant and headquarters in Stalowa Wola, southern Poland, Dressta CEO Leslaw Holysz said, “We have no [dealership] presence in Mexico and Latin America, except for Panama. Panama is a very good country for us and we

Caterpillar’s new wheeled loader represents a new direction in the firm’s aim to develop machines to meet specific needs - Mike Woof reports Caterpillar’s 986H and 988K wheeled loaders are significant introductions for the firm, having been developed to meet the needs of entirely different market segments. The 988K takes the place of the earlier 988H model and this new machine features the latest low emission engine technology, suiting it to use in North America and Europe. Powered by a 403kW diesel the mac

Doosan is offering increased performance for its DA30 and DA40 ADTs, boosting productivity in earthmoving as well as extraction operations. New features include a levelling meter developed to meet increased safety requirements in the quarry industry will help to raise the safety bar even further. The system uses rotation sensors installed on the front and body of the truck which provide a graphical readout on the control panel. This tells the driver whether or not it is safe to drive the truck forward and

The Terex team at Motherwell, Scotland, is currently looking into two companies to provide GPS and telematics for its rigid and articulated dump trucks. Scott Pollock, global product manager for Terex trucks, said, “Increasingly, our customers want to know more about how their machines are performing, to allow them to take quick action if any situations arise, such as a drop in oil pressure. "This is especially true for rental houses, who want to monitor how their machines are being used when working at