Earthmoving & soil compaction

Several manufacturers are offering improved earthmoving machines, with more to come - Mike Woof reports. One of the most notable developments comes from Caterpillar, with the unveiling of a hybrid excavator in the shape of its 336E H model. The machine is having its public launch at the bauma exhibition in Spring 2013 and will start rolling out of the factory in March 2013, while customers will be able to place orders from February 2013. Unlike other hybrid excavators on the market at present, the Cat 336E

Guy Woodford reports from Turkey on how Caterpillar is building machines for less regulated markets. Among Caterpillar machines for less regulated countries on show during the recent Caterpillar Construction Days (CCD) Antalya 2012 event in Turkey were the D6R, D7R and D8R track-type tractors. Steven Faucher, product and application specialist for Cat EAME (Europe, Africa and Middle East), said Cat Product Link, a telematics system allowing site managers to improve productivity, boost efficiencies and enabl

A customer of HM Plant, the official UK dealer for Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe), has invested in 68 new Zaxis excavators so far in 2012. Gloucester-based Keyway took delivery of 34 of the new models, ranging from one to 21tonnes, between March and April. The remainder will be delivered over the next few months. The sizeable but undisclosed investment takes the total number of Hitachi machines in the Keyworth fleet to 120. A family-run enterprise, established by Eamonn McGurk in 1966, Keyworth spe

Fergusson Group (FG), the Scottish-based solid fuel import, export and distribution business, has assembled the largest Cat 966K wheeled loader fleet in the UK. The company’s six 966K machines are part of a €2.53million plus supply deal with Finning UK and Ireland. FG has also added a Cat 725 ADT, Cat 320DL excavator and Cat 226b skid steer loader to its fleet. Launched in 2012, the 966K wheeled loaders combine the Cat C9.3 ACERT Stage IIIB compliant engine with new performance series buckets. Finning clai

Atlas Copco is offering a compact, high-performance hydraulic breaker that features a solid body. The compact SB702 unit is said to be reliable, productive and durable, while its efficiency is also said to help reduce fuel consumption for the carrier machine. Other benefits of the new model include reduce vibration and noise levels during operation. This 700kg breaker features a solid body and the one-piece housing is said to make the SB702 compact and easy to maintain. The percussion mechanism and guide sy

In Germany a short tailswing excavator from Doosan has carried out a tricky demolition project. The DX235LCR machine was used to demolish an old residential property, located in close proximity to a road. Belgian demolition contractor Klaus Anthes was brought in to carry out the work in Eppstein in Germany, and used the 24tonne excavator for the job. The work was tricky as the house was located on the side of a hill and also next to a narrow road. However traffic could not be disturbed so the machine had to

Irish firm Dromone Engineering is now offering its full range of Dromone tilt buckets in North America. Each can be fitted directly to an excavator or in conjunction with a Quick Coupler. Dromone tilt buckets feature 90º bucket rotation and are suited for a full range of customer applications that include backfilling, ditch cleaning, grading, land clearing and sloping work/shaving. These tilt buckets feature dual layer bucket skin and a durable structural design for unmatched strength. Other features includ

E-Z Drill is now introducing its Model 210 Equipment-Mounted concrete drill attachment series. Consisting of three models: the three-gang Model 210-3 EQ MT, four-gang Model 210-4 EQ MT and five-gang Model 210-5 EQ MT, the range is said to be compatible with most backhoe loaders and excavators. The pneumatic drills are said to deliver high productivity and lower maintenance needs, suiting them to full-depth road repair and patching projects. A control panel is mounted on the drill and the units are capable