Multi-role machinery for utility sector

The application range and machine choices available for the utility equipment sector continues to grow and evolve - Mike Woof reports

The development of the tracked loader from the skid steer loader in recent years has been a major development for the utility equipment sector. The tracked loader offers huge advantages in terms of working stability and low ground pressure operation. When these machines first began appearing on the market, customers were sceptical and there were many comments that there was no need for buying them so as to replace cheaper skid steer loaders However, on site use has shown that the tracked loader offers many benefits over the skid steer loader. One of the most important points is with stability.

A tracked loader can provide far greater stability than a skid steer loader and this is of importance for precision work, such as when carrying out milling duties for example. A tracked loader also offers far better flotation than a skid steer loader, allowing it to operate in soft ground conditions without the risk of causing damage or loss of traction.

Several manufacturers have introduced new or improved tracked loaders in recent months including 1130 Bobcat, 176 Case, 178 Caterpillar and 5895 New Holland and now 1222 Terex is adding to the competition in the sector.

Meanwhile 236 Hyundai has said that it will be offering a range of tracked loaders in the future, although a launch date has not been announced so far.

Terex has a new line of compact track loaders, which are particularly suited to applications in road maintenance projects where low ground pressure operation is required. The machines have suspended rubber track undercarriages, which give high traction compared to other rubber tracked machinery according to the firm.

In addition to the traction benefits, the undercarriage system offers high stability for grading, minimises surface damage and allows smooth travel at higher speeds. The firm's new PT30 is model is of particular note as the firm claims it is the smallest sit on tracked loader on the market and can be towed legally behind a pick up truck.

Terex completed its acquisition of tracked loader specialist ASV in March of this year and it is worth noting that although the machines themselves are compact in dimensions, the transaction was one of the biggest the firm has ever made.

However, the skid steer loader sector is seeing some new introductions too and Hyundai is now entering this market, with its Korean-developed units being made ready for international markets.

Bobcat continues to improve and expand its skid steer loader range with the addition of its new top-of-the-range S330 model equipped with a high comfort cab. Rated operating capacity is 1.52tonnes and features include high breakout forces and two speed travel, while the 4.2tonne S330 is powered by a 62.5kW 1265 Kubota diesel that meets Tier 3/Stage IIIA emissions legislation. The firm is aiming at the S330 at market requirements for a larger skid-steer loader with more lift capacity and increased power.

The engine is transverse mounted and the layout is said to offer good access for maintenance to the diesel as well as to the hydraulics and electrical system. The machine offers a 19.1km/h top travel speed, a 3.3m lift height, a reach of 792mm and has a vertical-lift-path, suiting it to use in the construction, demolition, equipment rental and recycling markets. The S330 better suits use with high-flow attachments. In all, the firm is offering over 40 attachments for use on the S330, which can be fitted with either the Bob-Tach attachment mounting system or the optional hydraulic Power Bob-Tach system.

In addition Netherlands-based Hanenberg says that its novel Sherpa loader range offers customers an alternative to other machines on the market and is tackling both the mini skid-steer and mini articulated loader markets. The company is now marketing its novel four-wheel-drive machines in several European countries and is particularly keen to target the rental sector. The smallest Sherpa mini loader, the compact 100 model, is a ride-on skid steer while the larger 200 and 300 units are mini articulated loaders. The diminutive Sherpa 100 model stands out from other models on the market due to its small size and is offered in three basic versions; narrow, standard and with diesel power weighing 570, 634 and 674kg respectively. The petrol models are 2288 Honda powered while the diesel version has a Kubota engine and the narrow model is 760mm wide, while the other versions are 1.1m wide.

Meanwhile, 695 Doosan is improving its utility-sized wheeled loader range with the introduction of the 8.8tonne DL160, which replaces the Mega 160. Power comes from a 196 Cummins QSB 4.5 engine that meets Tier 3/Stage IIIA emissions standards and is rated at 81kW. Compared with the previous machine the DL160 offers improvements such as faster bucket lifting speed and reduced working noise levels, as well as a quieter and more comfortable cab.

Market developments are also being seen in the highly competitive mini excavator sector. 6231 Hanix Europe is fitting 2921 CESAR Identification Technology as standard to its entire range of Excavators. CESAR is the Construction Equipment Security and Registration Scheme and was originally proposed by the Plant Theft Action Group and has the official backing of the UK's police. Hanix is the first Japanese manufacturer to have taken this step and believes the move will reduce theft rates for its customers. At the same time, every Hanix Mini Excavator sold in the UK is being parallel-registered with the official DVLA vehicle database.

The Construction Equipment Association (CEA), is promoting the scheme while it is being operated by 5463 Datatag, the European market leader in Security Identity Systems within the Construction and Plant sector. The CESAR Identification Technology can be applied to any item of construction equipment and includes tamperproof ID plates that can be easily identified by police.

Lastly, competition looks to be come stronger in the backhoe loader sector. Hyundai has said it will offer a machine at some point in the future. While 255 JCB, Case and Caterpillar are traditionally strong in the backhoe loader market worldwide, a wide array of other strong rivals now compete in the sector including 257 John Deere, 233 Hitachi, Komatsu, New Holland, Terex and 2394 Volvo and customers have a broad choice of products to select from.

Auger Torque Europe of Cheltenham in the UK is introducing two new trenching attachments; the HDT250 disc cutter and the TPL three-point linkage digging chain machine. The disc unit is designed to produce trenches from 50-95mm wide at depths of 250mm and can be fitted to machines such as mini excavators or compact skid steer loaders with hydraulic flows of between 38-78litres/min at pressures of 110bars.

The unit can produce trenches at rates up to three times faster than conventional chain trenchers and suits any application requiring a shallow, narrow trench that is easy to backfill. The TPL trencher can be powered using a compact machine's power- take-off and offers trenching widths from 125-250mm using a variety of chain options. Maximum standard digging depth is 1m although an optional long boom can increase depth to 1.2m.