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

  • Lintec expands manufacturing capacity to meet market demand
    January 6, 2017
    German asphalt and concrete plant constructor Lintec is rapidly expanding its manufacturing base around the world to meet growing demand for its modular material production equipment from both well established and emerging markets. The company’s new facility in Poland has recently supplied its first CDD 1200 GA Gussasphalt plant to French company SMAC, part of the Colas Group. However, the company is also enjoying strong demand from facilities in Brazil, Shanghai and Singapore.
  • Lintec expands manufacturing capacity to meet market demand
    April 20, 2012
    German asphalt and concrete plant constructor Lintec is rapidly expanding its manufacturing base around the world to meet growing demand for its modular material production equipment from both well established and emerging markets. The company’s new facility in Poland has recently supplied its first CDD 1200 GA Gussasphalt plant to French company SMAC, part of the Colas Group. However, the company is also enjoying strong demand from facilities in Brazil, Shanghai and Singapore.
  • McCloskey International launches a trenchless equipment division to supply the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) market
    January 6, 2017
    Screening and crushing equipment manufacturer, McCloskey International, has launched a new product division. Announcing the move at Conexpo 2014, the McCloskey Trenchless Equipment Division will supply horizontal directional drilling (HDD) equipment to oil and gas, construction and development companies as well as utilities including communication, power, gas, and water. “Through this new division we position ourselves well in the North American HDD market as we continue to develop and deliver produc
  • VIDEO: Broadway Bridge defies demolition experts, for a time
    October 12, 2016
    A 100-year old steel arch bridge in the United States stood firm for a time against the blasts laid down by demolition experts.

    The structure connected the cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock in the state of Arkansas. It carried U.S. Route 70 but was finally closed on 28 September.

    Although Broadway Bridge, spanning the Arkansas River, was built almost a century ago, the steel arches were added 60 years later as part of a strengthening project to the under-structure to widen the river navigation channel.