Earthmoving & soil compaction

The novel EZ Dig Pro system offers real-time depth control for excavators and backhoe loaders. This package is said to provide precise grade control for digging a fixed depth or a slope and it boosts safety as there is no need for anyone going into the excavation to check depth. Applications include use in trenching and drainage ditches along roadways, as well as footings and foundation depths and cut-and-cover applications for a fixed depth for utilities.

With the launch of its innovative D7E diesel-electric bulldozer, Caterpillar has shaken up this traditionally conservative market Only rarely do product innovations come to market that can truly be described as groundbreaking, but Caterpillar's D7E fits that bill. To understand the giant leap that the D7E represents, it is important to recognise Caterpillar's long history in the bulldozer market, which is unmatched by any of its rivals. Caterpillar pioneered the crawler track with founder, Ben Holt, havin

An overcrowded Indian flyover was removed in record time using specialist demolition equipment, as Patrick Smith reports Demolition of the landmark Lalbaug flyover south of central Mumbai has been completed and work on a new bigger bridge has started in India's largest city. Although the 38-year-old Sant Dnyaneshwar (Lalbaug flyover) two-lane, one-way traffic artery was serviceable and used by to 15,000 vehicles/hour, there were daily traffic jams and environmental consequences. Despite the complex and dema

JCB has launched the brand new JS360 Auto tracked excavator to compete in the global market for excavators in the 33-40tonne market sector, marking the company's first entry in the higher end of this weight class. It will join the company's JS range of tracked and wheeled excavators, one of more than 300 products manufactured by the company, which offers a comprehensive range of 25 tracked and wheeled excavator models from 7-46tonnes.

Volvo Construction Equipment is offering machine simulators that are said to provide a valuable training resource for wheel loader, articulated hauler and excavator operators of all skill levels. The firm also has a new twin seat cab designed to help train grader operators. The sophisticated simulators feature advanced 3D-graphics and use the same controls that are fitted to Volvo machines. Operators sit in the simulator cab and are set to work on various tasks on a plasma projection screen in front of them

Foundation specialist Forasol has developed an innovative technique for anchor drilling that is improving ground consolidation on road projects in Switzerland. The technique has been widely used on a number of highway projects in the country, including construction of a new 1.3km long cut-and-cover trench for the A9 highway in south western Switzerland.

Innovations in materials technology, as well as machines, could provide a major boost to the concrete paving sector - Mike Woof reports Development of new material technologies for the concrete paving sector continues apace and the latest innovations could provide the biggest boost for this market in many years. High performance cementitious material (HPCM) is an innovative concept that has been developed and tested for road surfacing applications as part of a project in which the UK's Transport Research La

The drill and blast contractor Technical Drilling and Blasting in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is standardising on Sandvik rock tools for its fleet of drill rigs. The firm operates across Fujeirah, providing quality gabbro aggregates for construction projects in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Recognised as one of the worlds hardest rocks, gabbro features a typical density in excess of 3tonnes/m, a crushing factor of 10 and a 61% silica content and demand remains strong for this quality construction material. Every