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.
January 6, 2017 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

  • Selwood pumped up for INTERMAT
    April 13, 2012
    Selwood will be showing its very latest pumps at Intermat including the S100, S150 and S200 Super Silent models. These units have recently been improved by the introduction of a close coupled configuration, part of on-going development programme for the entire Selwood pump range.
  • JCB is offering a new range of its JS crawler excavators
    January 6, 2017
    The new generation JS crawler excavators from JCB are said to deliver increased performance along with reduced running costs. The JS220, JS260 and JS360 are all powered by Isuzu diesels that meet the Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB emissions requirements with reduced fuel consumption and increased torque rise. For developing markets, there is also a Tier 2 compliant version of the JS220 powered by a JCB 448 Dieselmax engine with a similar output to the 129kW Isuzu diesel in the Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB model. Th
  • JCB is offering a new range of its JS crawler excavators
    April 11, 2012
    The new generation JS crawler excavators from JCB are said to deliver increased performance along with reduced running costs. The JS220, JS260 and JS360 are all powered by Isuzu diesels that meet the Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB emissions requirements with reduced fuel consumption and increased torque rise. For developing markets, there is also a Tier 2 compliant version of the JS220 powered by a JCB 448 Dieselmax engine with a similar output to the 129kW Isuzu diesel in the Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB model. Th
  • Perlini Equipment for dump trucks
    January 6, 2017
    Perlini Equipment is one of the world's leading manufacturers of dump trucks – having sold over 12,000 of them worldwide since 1957. The firm currently offers machines up to a capacity of 95tonnes. Reliable and easy to drive, and with customised models available on request, the trucks are built with high quality Perlini original components, offering top-tier performance and fuel efficiency.