Skip to main content

Europe leads the way as the USA and others reduce breaker sound levels

Europe’s stand on sound is being heard around the world by the hydraulic breaker market. While many countries have not specifically adjusted their national sound guidelines, the Europeans have essentially done it for them, two industry experts revealed at Conexpo 2014.
March 3, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
Europe’s stand on sound is being heard around the world by the hydraulic breaker market. While many countries have not specifically adjusted their national sound guidelines, the Europeans have essentially done it for them, two industry experts revealed at Conexpo 2014.

“In Europe, they set the rules,” said David Nakamura, president of Toku America. “And the manufacturers have to respond.”

The issue has become significant enough in Europe to force the 2440 Committee for European Construction Equipment (CECE) into putting together a group of industry experts charged with looking at the hydraulic attachment tool market. The group, which consists of leading industry manufacturers, is addressing “silent demolition tools” and noise-reduction solutions.

Reduced sound levels are occurring naturally in other parts of the world as manufacturers reach the European standards so they can continue to do business in that market.

“It takes a little longer to get to the U.S. because the mentality is different,” said Keith Becker, product development specialist at 161 Atlas Copco. As quieter equipment becomes available, local governments are more likely to demand that it is used when working near hospitals, nursing homes and schools, Becker said.

In the US, sound levels have drawn the most attention in California and the north east area of the country. “Regulation is going to the driving force behind changes in the US,” Becker said. The CECE is looking at new approaches and techniques as well.
%$Linker: 2 Asset <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 2 49588 0 oLinkExternal <span class="mouselink"><span class="oLinkExternal">www.cece.eu </span></span> Committee for European Construction Equipment web false /EasySiteWeb/GatewayLink.aspx?alId=49588 false false%>

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Europe leads the way as the USA and others reduce breaker sound levels
    January 6, 2017
    Europe’s stand on sound is being heard around the world by the hydraulic breaker market. While many countries have not specifically adjusted their national sound guidelines, the Europeans have essentially done it for them, two industry experts revealed at Conexpo 2014.
  • Atlas Copco Combi Cutter becomes mobile shear
    January 6, 2017
    Atlas Copco is launching a new jaw variant that turns its CC 3300 Combi Cutter into a mobile shear. “Our aim is to be a leading manufacturer and solution provider for the demolition market. To round off our offerings in the silent demolition tools segment, we are introducing a mobile shear jaw for our CC 3300 Combi Cutter,” explains Wolfgang Hohn, product line manager, silent demolition tools.
  • Atlas Copco Combi Cutter becomes mobile shear
    February 5, 2013
    Atlas Copco is launching a new jaw variant that turns its CC 3300 Combi Cutter into a mobile shear. “Our aim is to be a leading manufacturer and solution provider for the demolition market. To round off our offerings in the silent demolition tools segment, we are introducing a mobile shear jaw for our CC 3300 Combi Cutter,” explains Wolfgang Hohn, product line manager, silent demolition tools.
  • New visual identity for Atlas Copco’s Dynapac road construction equipment
    January 6, 2017
    Atlas Copco Road Construction Equipment has decided to align the visual identity of its Dynapac range of rollers and pavers to the design used by the other divisions in the Atlas Copco Construction Technique business area. Launched at bauma, the new Atlas Copco logotype is clearly visible on the products together with the Dynapac name. The colour scheme changes to yellow and grey, which is already used for construction tools, portable compressors and generators.