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

  • Oregon’s electric vehicles cruise the West Coast Electric Highway
    December 3, 2014
    Many US states offer cash-back deals and tax breaks to encourage people to buy more electric vehicles. But Oregon has shunned financial incentives and opted to drive up EV sales through increasing the number of recharging stations.
  • All eyes on Wacker Neuson’s new EH 100 demolition breaker
    January 6, 2017
    Nominated for a design category bauma 2013 Innovation Award, the new EH 100 demolition breaker from Wacker Neuson is said to offer extremely high demolition performance with single stroke impact energy of 100Joules combined with good power to weight ratio. The powerful breaker is packed into a new ergonomically-shaped fully spring-mounted compact hood. The new hood design is said to allow the operator to precisely guide the demolition breaker while maintaining visual contact with the chisel’s tip. This is s
  • All eyes on Wacker Neuson’s new EH 100 demolition breaker
    April 9, 2013
    Nominated for a design category bauma 2013 Innovation Award, the new EH 100 demolition breaker from Wacker Neuson is said to offer extremely high demolition performance with single stroke impact energy of 100Joules combined with good power to weight ratio. The powerful breaker is packed into a new ergonomically-shaped fully spring-mounted compact hood. The new hood design is said to allow the operator to precisely guide the demolition breaker while maintaining visual contact with the chisel’s tip. This is s
  • Liebherr’s PR 736 dozer launched on US market at Conexpo 2014
    January 6, 2017
    The PR 736 dozer being introduced to the US market at Conexpo 2014 is the first model in Liebherr’s new Generation 6 series and is said to offer customers increased efficiency and lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Among the innovations on the Generation 6 machine models, including the 20-25tonne service weight PR 736, are electronic travel speed regulation with an integral eco-function, and pro-active power control.