Earthmoving & soil compaction

Crushing equipment from Metso is helping boost production and efficiency at the Barrasford Quarry in the UK. Run by Tarmac Quarry products, the operation is now using a Lokotrack LT140 track-mounted mobile crusher, a pair of Lokolink mobile conveyors and several field conveyors. The company is changing the operation from a static to a mobile crushing operation, and it says installing the Metso machinery has helped reduce manpower at the site. The crusher and the conveyors have replaced a pair of static c

SICOM is in the process of extending its current two model grader line-up. At present the firm offers 7.5tonne and 10tonne models and is adding a single-axle 5tonne and the top of the range 12.5tonne models early in 2009. The firm has already had considerable success with its 7.5tonne, hydrostatic drive IM80 model, which is also said to offer high visibility of the blade due to its cylinder blade slew system. The company has supplied a number of units to Eastern and Western Europe, Central and South America

A new series of rugged, hydraulically-powered rotation units for use with any type of DTH (down-the-hole) hammer in the 92-203mm range as well as ITH (in-the-hole) underground production work with Simba drill rigs, has been introduced by Atlas Copco. The DHR 6 is the latest unit in the company's well known DHR series and complies with demands for air pressure of up to 35 bar and a maximum torque of 6kNm. This means the unit will allow a DTH hammer to be run at much greater power, significantly accelerating

High specification wheeled loaders are now available from an array of firms, Mike Woof reports In the competitive market for wheeled loaders, Caterpillar, Komatsu and Volvo CE are strong worldwide players with sales figures that many rivals would like to emulate. Their quality products also demand good resale values due to a reputation for longevity, yet other firms are also filling the gap in terms of quality and performance. An array of manufacturers are introducing improved machines to the European marke

Gradall says that its new top-of-the-line XL5100III excavator offers significant improvements over the XL5100 it replaces. Weighing 25tonnes, the excavator is aimed mainly at the North American market and can be carried on a shorter carrier improving its transportability while a shorter tailswing improves its ability at working in restricted space sites. Like all Gradall excavators, the machine is particularly suited to fine grading or finishing work. Unlike the XL5100, which was powered by two Cummins dies

There are various ways of building a tunnel, and for excavation jobs many contractors prefer to use versions of standard machines that have instead been converted to suit the confines of tunnelling applications. Some contractors opt to adapt their own units and with ventilation being an issue in underground work, engine emissions are a key focus when adapting machines. Exhaust filters and other after treatment solutions are usually required and there are an array of off-the-shelf packages available as well

Gradall Industries continues to develop its mobile excavators with the launch of the new XL4100III model. Highly mobile, the XL410III can be driven to job sites without the cost for a truck and lowboy trailer. Power comes from a fuel-efficient Detroit Diesel Mercedes engine that meets Tier 3 noise and emissions legislation. The machine is able to work in tighter spaces than its predecessor as its tail-swing is 305mm shorter. The carrier is offered in either 6x4 or 6x6 configurations, which weigh in a 21.5to

LiuGong is widening its wheeled loader line-up with the addition of the compact 816III model. Despite its small size the 5.6tonne 816III is said to have a high power to weight ratio, has a bucket breakout force of 5.45tonnes and features a 0.785m3 bucket as standard. Power comes from a Yanmar diesel rated at 48kW and which meets Tier 3 noise and emission regulations. The market for wheeled loaders represents the biggest off-highway equipment segment in LiuGong's home market of China and the company has a co

The latest compaction technology offers users the benefits of more accurate performance by combining heat detection and compaction metering with GPS In Europe several leading manufacturers now offer more accurate compaction technology, with Ammann, BOMAG, Dynapac and Hamm all having developed advanced control packages. The technologies vary widely but the advantages are broadly similar, with smart compaction allowing the user a greater degree of control over the compaction process and delivering major reduc