A 50-tonne prototype dump truck is the centrepiece of Bell’s impressive stand at INTERMAT 2015 and offers a real glimpse of the heavy construction industry’s future.
Volvo Construction Equipment president Martin Weissburg said the brand’s innovation and technological leadership in its sector comes from being part of the Volvo Group’s hugely successful and diverse global business portfolio. Examples of the Swedish construction equipment manufacturing giant’s ongoing investment in new technology include prototypes such as the LX1 electric hybrid wheeled loader; the HX1 battery-electric, fully autonomous load carrier; and the HX2, another battery-electric, fully autonomous
Hyundai Heavy Industries Europe (HHIE) sold 3% more Hyundai construction equipment across Europe in 2013, compared to 2012.
In the UK market, it was the heavy line crawler excavators (14tonne – 80.5tonne) that showed the most impressive growth performance – 308 were sold in the UK in 2012 and in 2013 a total of 522 machines were sold, which equates to a 69.48% increase in units sold. This increases the market (comparable products from construction equipment OEM’s) in the UK from 8.34% in 2012 to 12.69% in
Bell has introduced a 4x4 version of its B30D articulated dump truck (ADT). The machine has the front chassis, cab and engine of the standard 6x6 but comes with a shortened rear chassis and a single axle. According to Neville Paynter, managing director of Bell UK, the machine’s short wheelbase reduces the turning circle by around 25%, making it ideal for use in underground mining and on narrow benches.
Hyundai Construction Equipment says that its innovative HW155H hydrogen fuel-cell-powered, wheeled excavator is showing the industry how hydrogen could contribute to future carbon-free operation on construction sites. Digging and driving performance is said to match that of conventional diesel-driven machines.
The firm is leading the field with its radical zero-emission solution and according to a company spokesperson, “This machine is not a prototype any more. It is production-ready. But the market is not ready for it yet.”
