Diggers Hillhead 2016 Highlights (Part Three)

by Nick Drew | Fri 08 Jul 2016

Diggers Hillhead 2016 Highlights (Part Three)

Continuing with a look back to our recent tour around the Hillhead Quarry looking at some of my personal highlights spotted at the show.

Hyundai continue to have massive success in the European and UK markets with the new HX range of excavators setting the benchmark for technology, comfort, power and fuel efficiency. The Korean giant chose Hillhead to showcase the latest reincarnation of the 43 tonne model the HX430 L. Tipping the scales at 44,120kg (97,270lb) the machine has a bucket capacity of 1.90 m³/ 2.49 yd³ with an overall width of 3,340mm when fitted with 600mm track shoes. Power comes from a Tier 4 Final emissions compliant Cummins QSL9 4-cycle turbocharged diesel engine rated at 316hp (236kw). The new HX430 L machine had just rolled off the production line – in fact it was touch and go whether the excavator would make it to the UK in time for the show! The HX430 L was exhibited fitted with a Strickland S-lock Quick Coupler and a Daemo B360 Breaker.

Smaller models on the Hyundai stand included the popular 22 tonne class HX220 L and the 14 tonne class HX140 L models which were displayed next to each other on the stand.

On the Case stand we got a first glimpse of the new CX290D Materials Handler which features a raised cab function allowing the operator excellent vision down into cargo ship hold’s, crushers, high sided lorries and the like. The machine was displayed with an Arden rotational sorting grab.

Hillhead was also the venue for the latest round of the Case Rodeo Challenge competition with contestants aiming to pick up and place basketballs in the net against the clock using a Case 695ST backhoe loader, regulars at this event include Karl Owen and Jimmy Binks who always achieve fast times! I suspect we will be seeing them again at the European Finals in Paris this coming August.

This year the friendly face of the Case Rodeo in the UK was missing as sadly Dave Garner has retired, so there were new members of staff involved who I didn't know. This competitor didn't look like he would be making it to Paris, as he accidentally squashed one of the cones trying to pick up the ball!

Another popular machine on the Case stand was the 13 tonne class CX130D which was displayed with a Rototilt tilt-rotator.

Undisputed star of the show on the Volvo Construction Equipment stand was the new A60H a 60 tonne class articulated hauler which was first revealed to the public at Bauma in Munich earlier this year following months of speculation about its development. The machine is impressive whichever way you look at it!

Volvo also held their latest heats of their European Operator Challenge competition with contestants having to perform two tasks using a couple of mini excavators, consisting of ECR25D and ECR50D models. The top two were Liam Lambert and Tom Pederson who will be heading off to France for the final later this year. It’s not an event I have ever attended but I’m sure it will be a great experience for all involved and taking part in.

Also making an appearance at Hillhead on the Volvo stand was an original DR631 ADT or as they were affectionately known “Gravel Charlie’s” we spotted our friend Lionel Whitnell and his contract manager Trevor checking out the machine, one of which used to be operated by Lionel back in the day!

There was so much to see at Hillhead and the rain was not helpful on the first two days, but we did manage to get around to most stands and over the coming days I will post more photos from the visit.

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Diggers Hillhead 2016 Highlights (Part Three)

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