by Nick Drew | Tue 18 Apr 2017
New Machinery takes centre stage at PLANTWORX.
In this extended blog post, featuring some kit we don't normally cover on the Digger Man Blog, we will be taking a look at some of the new products you will be able to see at Plantworx this year, don’t miss a trick with our informative guide to what’s new at the event.
The 3rd biennial Plantworx Construction Machinery exhibition is just weeks away. The show, hosted by the CEA (Construction Equipment Association), takes place at its established home at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leicestershire from 6-8th June 2017. Over 360 exhibitors have signed up for the ‘all action’ event and of these over 140 exhibitors will be making their show debut.
No matter what equipment you are interested in - you’ll find it at Plantworx – earthmoving equipment, compaction kit, drills and hammers, compressors, attachments and much much more. The 2017 show will also feature a Wi-Fi Hub where visitors can keep up to date with emails and do business whilst doing business!
In terms of size and exhibitors numbers the 2017 show has exceeded the 2015 exhibition event and the Plantworx team is expecting the show to be a ‘sell out’ - making this event the hottest ticket in town and a spectacular action packed 3-days!
Spanning 140,000 sq mtrs, visitors can see machines and tools being put through their paces on one of the many demonstration areas around the show. Amongst the demonstration stands are 100’s of static stands packed with innovative new products - over the next few pages we take a look at what’s on offer at this year’s construction equipment extravaganza!
Buckets, Attachments, Screeners and Cutting Tools
Whites Material Handling will use the show to officially launch its new range of UK manufactured LPX Excavator buckets designed for use with quick couplers for machines from 1.5t-9.0t
The buckets are available with fixed welded pins or removable dummy pins - the reduced bucket pin to tooth dimensions will increase machine breakout forces and reduce common contact issues when machines are fitted with a quick coupler.
According to Whites, the LPX range has many benefits over traditional buckets including, centralised bucket transport carrying hooks allowing the safe transportation of buckets around the worksite without the need for chains or slings, large horizontal wear strips providing additional strength where it is needed around the main contact points of the bucket shell, and a double radius design* to reduce bucket drag and increase productivity.
Dawson Construction Plant will be exhibiting at Plantworx this years following the highly successful show 2 years ago. A mixture of DCP products will be shown including the new HPH2500 central ram hydraulic hammer.
Con Mech Engineers is launching its new range of BLADEMASTER Wear Part Replacement Kits.
Each kit includes all the edges, blades, base plates and fixings needed to refurbish many of the most popular buckets in the UK market. The new range offers operators a one stop replacement and refurbishment solution for CAT and Volvo Loaders and CAT and Komatsu Dozers.
On the stand, there will also be a wide range of BLADEMASTER products on display and will feature a Loader bucket fitted with a BLADEMASTER Wear Part Replacement Kit.
New exhibitor Pladdet will be showing a range of sorting grabs which are engineered and produced in the Netherlands made from high-quality Hardox and Weldox.
Pladdet say that the intelligent design and high quality components including Parker rotating motors and induction hardened pins ensure extremely high rotational and closing forces, turnable blades and endless 360° rotation. This is all packaged within a very robust housing, designed to enable easy maintenance for the operator. The Pladdet grabs are developed specifically for the demolition, environmental and recycling industries.
New to the show is Southern Plant Spares who will be showing the new range of Rhinox Buckets. Taking centre stage will be the award-winning UNI-TUSK X1 which combines a tooth and blade into one system with no sharp edges. This reduces the risk of penetrating underground cables and pipes. SPS claim that the large surface area of the UNI-TUSK X1 also increases the digging efficiency.
Because the UNI-TUSK X1 is designed like a sidecutter style tooth, it locks the side plates and the lip plate. increasing the structural integrity of the bucket.
Dale Record, marketing director, SPS said, " In recent times Utilities contractors have requested that all excavator buckets are supplied with the teeth removed to reduce the chance of cable strike. Whilst this does help saves lives, it causes massive increase in wear to the bucket, causing a huge increase in maintenance costs for plant hire companies."
Mr Record added, "The Rhinox Uni-tusk X1 is a unique innovation which creates a combined Tooth and Blade system which not only protects the bucket and significantly increases the product lifetime, but it also reduces the likelihood of a cable strike due to its profile."
JKS UK is using Plantworx to launch the grapheX, which according to JKS, brings together a completely new approach to the design and mechanics of diamond cutting application. JKS managing director, Darren Aaron said, “Since the start of synthetic diamond application in the 1950’s all manufacturers have used a set list of ingredients to produce their diamond cutting tools. The new grapheX technology, incorporates the largest dual De Beers diamond grit sizes ever to be used in segment manufacture combined with a unique Copper based matrix.”
Darren added, “Through years of testing and innovation we have created a diamond cutting and drilling segment that performs faster and more efficiently than any of its rivals, whilst allowing one segment to cover a much wider range of motor powers due to the dual diamond innovation.”
A user just needs one blade (instead of many) to cover all low to medium powered machinery and just one blade type to cover all medium to high powered machinery, safe in the knowledge that the blades offer excelling performance.
BSP International Foundations is using Plantworx to show its range of excavator mounted hammers for rail and Civils. On display will be the DX Piling Hammer which will be showcased in an excavator mounted application – the hammer is capable of driving Sheet piles, “H” piles or steel tubes.
The BH120 Piling Hammer will also be on display – this was developed for mounting on back hoe loaders or small 8 Ton excavators and is compact and versatile – suitable for driving small steel or plastic sheet piles, small bearing piles of wood or steel.
The all new JX-8 piling rig will also be on the stand – this British designed and built rig is aimed at the small bearing pile driving market. Based on a JCB JS200 excavator this 25ton rig will top drive 8-metre-long 250 x 250mm concrete piles or 400mm dia steel tubes with a DX hydraulic hammer. The mast is 12m tall when erected. When in its transport mode it can be tracked on to a standard low loader.
Lloyd Engineering is a UK based designer and manufacturer of excavator screening equipment. On display at Plantworx will be the company’s Star Screening Buckets which have a large screening area which gives high output and they are ideal for screening top soil, waste, turf, roots, compost, and street sweepings with no chopping or pinching. The range comprises models to suit 2.5 to 25 tonne machines, and stars can be spaced to produce a range of output sizes.
Also on display will be Lloyd Engineering’s Rotary Screening Buckets which have a conical drum and improved apron angles to give exceptional output and control for a wide range of demolition, top soil, waste, compost and recycling applications.
A selection of new models of mini-excavator, star screening buckets has recently been added, widening the range of sizes available for smaller machines. The company’s ‘Babystar’ is suitable for machines as small as 2.5 tonnes. The larger rotary screening buckets with the quick-change drum system have been reintroduced and now feature the conical drum design. All buckets have a single hammer line, no drain line required.
Eco Baughan 2000 specialises in the manufacture of Screeners, Crushers, Complete Recycling Systems and rehandling attachments including its Bucket Concrete Crushers and Hawkfawk range. At this year’s show, Baughans will be exhibiting its new generation of crushers for the construction industry.
JCB Attachments has taken its own stand at Plantworx 2017 as it launches two new product ranges for the construction industry.
It will showcase a brand new series of bladed buckets – purpose built for the utilities sector – and a new range of JCB quick hitch models with spring activated safety lock which will bring consistent, maximum safety hitches to JCB’s excavator, backhoe loader, Hydradig and compact excavator ranges.
The new JCB bladed buckets join JCB’s existing toothed bucket range and are designed to help prevent electricity cable strikes and water pipe damage in utilities applications and enable the excavation of tidier, flat-bottomed trenches.
The new JCB quick hitch range prioritises safety, simplicity and reduced maintenance – with clear visibility, no gravity lock, zero greasing and a 3-year warranty.
The stand will also showcase JCB Attachments’ proven Professional and Contractor hydraulic breaker ranges and the full hydraulic powerpack and tool range. Products from across the line-up will be shown in action in a dedicated demonstration area.
Hill Engineering will be showing its TEFRA Tilt Hitch, the award winning TEFRA Coupler and its Hill Titan Buckets alongside the TITAN Thumb attachment.
The TEFRA Tilt Coupler takes all the advantages of the award-winning TEFRA coupler but provides the added benefit of increased productivity and versatility in multiple applications. The attachment is available for machines sizes ranging from 3 to 20 tonnes and, like the TEFRA coupler, has been specifically designed to be almost maintenance free. This tilt system allows operators greater flexibility in the way they use their machines and turns each and every attachment into one that can be used at up to 180 degrees.
The TEFRA Tilt coupler boasts advance technology from German manufacturers HKS. The magic behind Hill’s new attachment is said to be the XtraTilt power actuator to achieve the 180-degree tilt function.
The Hill Titan Thumb was launched last year and can be manufactured for machines up to 20T – it can also be rotated from the pin or mounted on the dipper as a more basic option. When not in use the Thumb retracts so the machine can be used as normal - when in use the Thumb can be used like a grab.
Attachment specialists Strickland MFG will be showing their S-Lock Coupler at this year’s Show. Visitors to the stand can see the 8 ton Twin Locking S-Lock Coupler, which according to Strickland, is the only one currently on the market to be able to pick up 45mm through to 60mm pins.
Strickland MFG will also be exhibiting a selection of other attachments. Strickland also offer on-site repair and fabrication services to provide a full and responsive service for your construction needs.
Earthmoving machinery
Axpan is a French manufacturer of micro machines specialising in earth moving equipment for tight and restricted access. According to the company the machines are targeted to professionals like landscapers, builders, groundwork operators and owner operators.
Axpan is making its first appearance at Plantworx on the Four Ashes Machinery stand the company’s show debut coincides with the launch of two new models - the AX 36 Pro and the AX Loader.
Dumper specialist Thwaites is launching a brand-new dumper at the show – but is keeping the exact details of the product top-secret. Designed and manufactured here in the UK by the company’s expert team in Warwickshire – Thwaites claim to have designed the definitive dumper which will be unveiled at the show.
Thwaites say that this dumper is what the market has been waiting for and will provide a new level of safety for contractors and clients across the UK, whilst offering the very best in operator safety and comfort.
At Plantworx, Bergmann will showcase its latest wheel and track dumpers for safe and efficient transport of loads up to 12 tons.
At Bergmann, product development always focuses on driver comfort, safety and transport capacity. It comes therefore as no surprise that the 180° swivelling driver stand has for many years been one of the most praised features of the dumpers from Bergmann. The swivelling driver stand allows for a much better view during manoeuvring, so that the dumper can be driven backwards at higher speeds.
The Bergmann 3012 Rplus, a 12t wheel dumper of the latest generation, and the new Bergmann 4010 10t track dumper come with a Comfort Line cab known for its exceptional equipment. In addition, the two models offer excellent traction and off-road mobility.
Kubota will be showcasing its brand new mini excavator – the KX042-4 at this year’s show. According to Kubota, the 4-tonne machine is the most environmentally friendly excavator in its class and will be unveiled for the first time in the UK and Ireland. The new machine will be on show alongside many other Kubota construction, tractor, groundcare and engine products at the show.
The KX042-4 incorporates a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) to ensure a clean exhaust and Kubota’s ECO Plus Mode to reduce fuel consumption. The Common Rail System (CRS) electronically controls the fuel injection timing and amount in stages rather than all at once, for optimal combustion. This results in greater efficiency, better fuel economy and less engine noise.
Kubota’s high levels of performance match the environmental advantages of the new machine. Certain features of the KX042-4 such as the AUX oil flow with proportional flow control, auto idling, auto-shift and float position, provide the machine with the power and versatility to handle tough jobs with ease and efficiency.
Adrian Mann, Product Manager – Construction at Kubota UK stated: “Plantworx is set to be a fantastic event for Kubota and we’re thrilled to be unveiling the KX042-4, the most eco-friendly mini-excavator on the market in its category, highlighting both the performance of the machine and the environmental advantages it offers.”
The latest machines from Hydrema address the current health and safety challenges facing front tip dumpers on many UK sites, where front tip visibility is seen to be too restrictive for the dumper operators.
At Plantworx Hydrema will show its new 912F ADT which achieves maximum all round visibility with a front positioned operator cab and maximum operator functionality.
The machine is fitted with a reversing camera for added visibility and a reversing alarm provides added onsite safety. Operators have both entry and foot step lighting.
The 912F also has a safer working radius and the machine does not need to constantly reposition - it also has a Multi-Tip function where the operator can tip the unloaded material directly behind the machine or anywhere between 90° to the right or left side.
The machine is also fitted with the well proven unique pivot steering system with anti-roll properties for maximum wheel ground contact, so that the vertical rear wheel movement is +/- 450mm.