Earthmoving & soil compaction

Moba’s MDS-2000 Drilling System is being used for the first time in a South American quarry. Used over two shifts by operators since September 2011 to monitor and control drill blast holes at a granite quarry in Vacamonte, Panama, Moba has equipped an HCR-1200 EDII type drilling device from FRD Furukawa Rock Drill with the drilling system in collaboration with B-B-S Bohrsysteme. The MDS-2000 enables drill holes to be made parallel to each other and to the desired depth and pre-set angle. As well as cost an

LiuGong Construction Machinery says doubling its North American-based equipment sales in 2011, compared to the previous 12 months, reinforces the company's goal of being among the world’s top ten equipment manufacturers by 2015.

Chinese firms are looking to develop overseas sales but are using very different strategies – Mike Woof reports. Aggressive expansion plans will see Chinese manufacturers boosting overseas sales in coming years. These companies are developing bigger sales profiles around the world, particularly in emergent markets such as Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. It is worth noting too that Chinese products continue to gain in terms of quality and performance. For LiuGong, Sany, Shantui, XCMG and Zoomlion

The earthmoving machine market is seeing major innovations for 2012 - Mike Woof reports. The early part of 2012 is seeing a whole array of new earthmoving machines come to market from a vast range of manufacturers. Companies from China, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Turkey and the USA will all be unveiling new earthmoving equipment at the upcoming Intermat exhibition, with innovative emission compliant engine and cooling technology.

Innovations in drilling and blasting and crushing and screening are bringing major economies of scale to aggregate production operations. Drilling and blasting is an area where new technology is offering major saving to quarrying companies. This is another important factor in the quarrying process, as inefficient drilling and blasting can have major financial repercussions.

Volvo’s new L250G wheel loader is being tested for the first time by a German family-run quarrying, logistics and concrete plant company with growing customer demands. Löderburger Baustoff + Transport (LBT), part of the larger Ferdinand Wesling Group, is using the machine at its two million tonnes a year yield limestone quarry in Stassfurt.

Compact compaction units are delivering increased performance – Mike Woof reports. Competition is tough in the market for non-ride-on compaction units, with two manufacturers now introducing revamped models. Both JCB and Wacker Neuson aim to claim a larger section of the market with their latest designs, compaction plates and remote-controlled trench rollers respectively.

The new noise-damped cab for Volvo‘s single drum soil compactors is said to make the machines more comfortable to operate for a full working shift. The comprehensively redesigned one-piece cab is now fitted on Volvo’s latest SD70, SD77, SD115, SD130 and SD160 single drum soil compactors. The noise damping is said to radically reduce the sound levels at the operator’s ear, which is said to cut fatigue levels over the full working shift.