Rain fails to beat Hillhead

The Hillhead Quarry Show proved successful despite heavy rain on two out of the three days last week. Fortunately when CJ attended on Tuesday it was dry.

Talking to several manufacturers the overall impression was of great positivity. Indeed the inability to meet delivery schedules was proving a problem for some.

Rolf Hagemoen, marketing manager of Moxy Trucks was visiting the show and CJ bumped into him on the Marubeni Komatsu stand. He said "We hope to present our new Moxy models of adt by Bauma '98.

We are working on the final pre-production plans now. We've redesigned the cab interiors and re-engineered some chassis powertrain components but we are sticking with Scania engines."

Presumably they will be worth the wait since they are around two years behind with their new model schedule.

Jeremy Pilkington, chairman of Vibroplant, was spotted walking around the show which isn't normally seen as a plant hirers' magnet. The conundrum was explained when Vibroplant announced a tie-up with Extec Screens and Crushers. Vibroplant is to take œ5 million worth of Extec kit which it will offer to its hire customers.

Pilkington said: "Our customers are asking for quality screening equipment particularly for recycling projects. With this move we are able to offer a wide range of screening solutions to firms without them needing to make capital commitments." Another first for Vibroplant?

On the Bomag stand was a triple vibrating plate designed in conjunction with dealer Mawsley Machinery. The Bomaw is aimed directly at contractors who need to consolidate the aggregate on railway tracks. Basically it is three Bomag plates attached to a steel frame. Simple but it works - and covers the area much faster.

On the Liebherr stand there was much excitement as GWS announced it was buying four new big truck mounted cranes. They are taking two 90-tonners, a 160-tonner and a 225-tonner.

Not exactly quarry-related but a substantial order for Liebherr which showed the world's largest quick coupler fitted to a Litronic 984 excavator in the working display. Lots of operators were showing keen interest when CJ was there.

It was the first Hillhead for JCB's new big wheeled loaders and interest was "running high" according to divisional md John Appleby. He said: "We've been very encouraged by the interest shown by users.

"The fact that lots of them are users of competitive makes is an advantage. We are very positive about the future."

On the Bridgestone Tyres stand there was lots of interest in the half-slick, half-treaded DL2 type tyre for wheeled loaders. It is only offered in large sizes (eg CAT 988/992) but British Lime Industries and Foster Yeoman are trying them.

"They're designed to cut-out the need for chains" explained Mark Butcher of Bridgestone "and to minimise tread chunking. The price premium is just five per cent over a normal radial tyre. We think they have a big future in certain applications."