News

The Leica iCON grade iGD4 solution which enables one dozer to do multiple types of grading work with speed and accuracy was launched has been launched at Conexpo 2014. The highly accurate and efficient iCON grade iGD4 dozer solution calculates the lift, angle, and tilt of the dozer’s six-way blade. It allows operators to angle their blade while iCON grade’s advanced hydraulic control system automatically controls the blade’s lift and tilt. As a result, dozers can now be run at the full extent of their capa

The Leica iCON gps 80 machine control receiver is a compact and rugged GNSS receiver especially developed for a wide range of machine control applications to increase the overall positioning performance on all construction equipment. It easily and safely fits into any construction machine cabin, communicates seamlessly with all iCONtrol solutions on-site and integrates the iCON telematics fleet management software. The flexible communication provides smooth integration with equipment and solutions for OEM p

A high-sulphur fuel capability has been announced by MTU for its industrial engines. The move enables OEM’s to adopt the latest MTU engine technology in countries where ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) is not available. MTU’s sulphur tolerance solution will be available in mid-2014 for Tier 4 Interim 900, 500 and 460 series engines. This will be followed by the company’s complete line up of Tier 4 Final certified engines in the 1000-1500 series in the future.

Terex president and CEO Ron De Feo was in an upbeat mood at the manufacturer’s Conexpo press conference this week saying “2013 was a year of pretty substantial improvement for our company.” In the second half of last year, Terex saw revenues grow by 6.1% with the figure for the whole year up by 1.5%. The aerial work platform (AWP) and materials handling and port solutions (MHPS) divisions led the improvement in the second half, said De Feo.

Operators, materials and machines will not be able to keep pace with growing infrastructure needs as the global population grows, a Topcon Positioning Group official said on Wednesday. The solution: technology. “That’s the only way we can meet that gap in the construction industry,” Mark Contino, vice president of global marketing, said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Volvo Penta now offers Tier 4 Final emissions-compliant engines from 106-523kW. The range comes in 5-, 8-, 11-, 13- and 16litre capacities and suits a host of off-road applications, including material handling, construction, quarrying and mining. Achieving Tier 4 Final emissions sees Volvo Penta opting for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology. The system performs without regeneration or a diesel particulate filter making it a simpler, more versatile and a less costly option for customers, said the

Dinggui Gao has been in post as president of Sandvik Construction since October 2013, and in that short time has travelled thousands of miles meeting customers. He and his team now have a clear idea of the company’s strategy up to 2020, a strategy that was finalised in the last quarter of last year. “To me the best value in meeting our customers is to understand their needs and understand how they operate their business,” says Gao, who is known by his initials, DG. Understood to be the first Chinese pers

Sandvik Construction’s newly-developed CH540 cone crusher, the latest crusher in the series, was launched by the company at Conexpo 2014 this week. The all-new CH540, and the bigger CH550 (launched in 2013), are cone crushers that have endless combination possibilities, says Sandvik Construction, “being the perfect match for any aggregate plant or quarry looking to increase production capacity, eliminate bottlenecks, reduce operating costs, and/or to improve the quality of the end product.”

New Volvo Construction Equipment president Martin Weissburg hopes that the group’s US$160 million December 2013 acquisition of the Terex Equipment rigid and articulated hauler business will be finalised during the second quarter of 2014. It has been an important move for Volvo he said.

Oerlikon has launched a new hybrid electric drivetrain for wheeled loaders that is predicted to reduce fuel consumption by up to 30%. The hybrid package is a complete electric driveline system. It starts with engine partner Cummins supplying its 12litre QSG engine that meets Tier 4 Final emissions regulations.

JCB is to open a new India production factory complex as part of an ambitious global manufacturing and sales growth strategy. Speaking during JCB’s Conexpo 2014 press conference, JCB ceo Graeme Macdonald said, “We continue to invest for our future. Following the 2012 opening of our US$100 million factory in Brazil, we’re now planning to open later this year JCB’s $100 million factory complex in Jaipur – our fourth in India. It’s actually two factories, covering 700,000 square foot on a 114-acre site. It’s

Liebherr has unveiled its first Generation 6 dozer, the PR736. The hydrostatic drive machine has a service weight of 25tonnes and is powered by a 150kW engine. The driveline is electronically regulated and features an integrated eco function. The operator can choose between high performance and maximum economy, with the system automatically setting up the travel components. Proactive power control is also included on the Generation 6 machines, with travel drive settings being automatically adjusted as the o

JCB chief executive Graeme Macdonald says the UK manufacturer’s 140% sales rise in North America since 2010 has been a “great comeback story”. “North America has been on a rollercoaster ride,” Macdonald said during JCB’s Conexpo 2014 press conference in Las Vegas this week.

World demand for asphalt will grow by 3.6% annually until 2017, according to Cleveland market research company The Freedonia Group. This follows a decline in demand between 2007 and 2012 in North America and Western Europe, during the global economic crisis. “Gains will be driven by especially strong growth in consumption in China and other developing countries as they work to improve their transportation infrastructures,” said Freedonia analyst Mariel Behnke.

Astec Industries, which is showcasing 45 pieces of equipment at this week’s Conexpo 2014, most of it new or upgraded, has outlined its plans for the future with president and CEO Ben Brock stressing that the group is going on a major export drive.