SED 2007: Coming soon to a site near you

The excavator remains one of the most important machines on site. This year's SED sees numerous new crawler and wheeled machines from across the globe.

Volvo will show its C series crawler excavators, a 21t EC210C will be on show, alongside the first of the 24t EC240Cs. The C series are powered by Stage IIIa Volvo engines that are said to deliver the best fuel economy on the market. Its ECR58 Plus and ECR88 Plus short tailswing midi excavators also get increased performance and improved stability because of a larger counterweight.

Doosan Infracore's excavator range will be well represented, with the DX160W wheeled machine alongside the DX180LC and DX225LC tracked models. Also making its first appearance on these shores will be the DX35Z, a 3.5t zero tailswing machine.

The first New Holland Stage IIIa crawler, the E215B, will make an appearance. More powerful and fuel efficient than its predecessor, the E215B has a new cab with high levels of comfort and visibility.

On the Case stand will be the CX210B crawler excavator, with a Stage IIIa engine, new cab and superstructure. Case claims up to 20% better fuel economy from the 21t machine.

The Terex stand will centre on the 14t TC140 and 21t TC210 crawlers, plus the TW140 wheeled excavator. Below this weight will be examples of the TC range of mini and midi excavators from the 1.5t TC15 up to the TC125 12.5t midi.

Others offering smaller excavators will be Watling JCB, the dealer providing the stand for JCB this year, with the first showing for the compact 8020 mini excavator. This 2t machine has been designed for transportation behind a 4x4 or a van.

Bobcat is expanding its excavator line with the new 425 zero tailswing machine. The 2.65t mini has a 2.5m digging depth and offers breakout forces of 22.5kN and 14.6kN from the bucket and dipper respectively.

Hanix is adding the 5t zero tailswing H55DR excavator to its range. The company says the machine offers improved operator comfort and load sensing hydraulics for greater control. There is a 5% fuel saving on previous models and vibration and in-cab noise are reduced.

Komatsu is unveiling its 8t tracked PC88MR-6 and the 9t wheeled PW98MR-6 excavators. The 8t has a reduced tailswing and uses the CLSS hydraulic system used on larger Komatsu machines. The larger model uses the same design and customers can choose between three dipper lengths, single or twin tyres, blade and outriggers and additional counterweights.

Neuson is bringing two excavators to the show: the 2.6t zero tailswing 28Z and the 503 - said to be the world's fastest 9t wheeled excavator.

Examples of the Yanmar range of excavators will be found on Amman Equipment's stand. Expect to see an ultra-mini excavator, 1t to 6t minis, along with midi-excavators and wheeled excavators.

Hinowa will show eight models from its tracked excavator range from 800kg to 4t, while dealer Hosplant will bring the Zaxis 17 - Hitachi's 1.5t mini excavator.

Kato returns to the UK after a 10-year absence through sole distributor Plantex Equipment, which will use the show to exhibit three excavator models.

Takeuchi is launching the 4t reduced tailswing TB138FR with offset boom. Visitors will also be able to try the machine for themselves.

Backhoe loaders

Taking pride of place on the Case stand will be a black and gold backhoe loader, which celebrates its 50 years of integrated backhoe loader production.

Improvements to Volvo backhoe loaders have seen the introduction of the BL61Plus and BL71 Plus. Both have higher power, increased breakout forces and more lift capacity.

Perhaps the most unusual backhoe loaders on show will be those from Artcom Tradebridge, which will be launching the 12.8t Huddig 1260 articulated backhoe from Sweden.

Wheel loaders

Doosan's wheel loading shovels on offer will include the DL200 and DL250, both of which offer reduced noise levels, larger, more comfortable cabs and lower emissions. Case's wheel loaders will be represented by a Case 821E, sporting the latest developments including a central cooling pack and more powerful engines.

Key features of Volvo's F series machines are improved manoeuvrability, more power and greater flexibility. Three examples (L70F, L60F and L90F) make an appearance on the stand.

German manufacturer Kramer has introduced two mini loaders, the 250 and 350, which share the same rigid chassis and four-wheel steering concept as their larger stablemates. At just 1.2m wide, the newcomers are powered by 16.4kW and 23.1kW engines respectively.

Having bought Weidemann, Wacker will exhibit a number of loaders for the first time at SED and will demonstrate telescopic versions and the Hoftrac.

Dump trucks

Moxy Engineering looks set to shake up the ADT market with the biggest model to date, the MT51. Due for production later this year, the MT51 boasts a 46,270kg payload and an all-up weight topping 77t. The full-time 6x6 truck is powered by a 380kW Stage IIIa Cummins QSX15 engine driving through an Allison 4600 auto transmission.

Should your muck haulage requirements be on a smaller scale, there are plenty of site dumpers to see. Spanish dumper manufacturer Ausa is the latest with a 10t machine, the D1000AP, available with forward tip or rotating skip (D1000APG). It comes fitted with a 78kW turbo-charged Kubota engine. Ausa claims its 10t dumper has a substantial advantage in operator visibility and a compact turning radius thanks to a short wheelbase. The power is transmitted to both axles through a ZF torque converter designed for 10-tonners and a Turner hydrodynamic transmission.

Terex will preview its 2t site dumper range at the show. The TA2 range replaces the PS2000 and PT2000 lines and includes standard and high discharge forward tip and swivel skips versions. The dumpers have a top speed of 16km/h and are powered by a water-cooled 24.3kW Kubota engine.

The British-built Muck Truck will be on show. One of the most compact dumpers on the market, the Muck Truck is powered by a Honda GXV160 engine and has a 250kg payload with a 220-litre hopper. Options include skip extensions and the hopper can be removed and replaced by a flat bed.

Tracked loaders/skid steers

Compact tracked loaders seem to be the flavour of the month, with skid steer manufacturers rushing to convert their wheeled machines. However, one tracked carrier manufacturer, Takeuchi, doesn't make a skid steer - its TL120 weighs in at less than 3t and should arrive in time for SED.

New Holland will have its C175 compact tracked loader on show, and Case will be previewing its CT440 compact loader.

The S100 joins Bobcat's market-leading skid steer line-up. This unit weighs just 1.8t and has a rated capacity of 453kg and a tipping load of 907kg. With a height of 1.9m, length 2.3m and width 1.2m (over the wheels), the S100 can easily manoeuvre in confined spaces.

Caterpillar dealer Finning will have a host of improved machinery on its stand, including the E-series CB14 asphalt compactor, C-series skid steers and multi-loaders, B-series telehandlers and a range of construction equipment.

Telehandlers

Manitou is extending its rotating boom range with the MRT3050. The 5t lift capacity machine has a 29.7m maximum lift height and up to 25.5m forward reach. It comes with a rated capacity indicator to prevent overloading and pentagonal five-component telescopic boom for increased rigidity. The MRT3050 uses two independent hydraulic pumps, one for all fork movement, a second for the stabilisers, suspension and tilt compensation.

The latest additions from Merlo include a revised range of compact Roto machines that is cheaper than the full MCSS rotating structure machines. Models include the 38.14 and 38.14S, the 38.16 and 38.16S, plus the range-topping 50.10S. The S signifies Merlo's axle suspension system is fitted, allowing a 40km/h travel speed.

The GTH-4013SX is Genie's latest telehandler. Powered by a 74.6kW Cummins engine, the GTH-4013SX has a 4t lifting capacity and a maximum 13m lift height. Bobcat's T2250 compact telehandler offers the features of a skid steer, wheeled loader and telehandler in one machine, it says.

Utility equipment

Bobcat has restyled its 2200D four wheel-drive utility vehicle with a new front end, brush guards and different tyres. With an aluminium frame and cargo box, the 2200D tips the scales at just 756kg yet retains a 499kg load capacity.

Portable power and pneumatic breakers will be at the forefront of Ingersoll Rand's stand. The E-series portable compressors, IR20BV pneumatic breaker and a range of attachments will all be on show. The attachments will include a number of new products, following I-R's purchase of Geith International.

Power tools/attachments

Power tool specialist Makita will put on tool demonstrations throughout the show and launch its first 18V SDS+ rotary hammer drills. The BHR180 and BHR240 are three-function cordless drills with 1.9J of impact power. If you're looking for high power, the HM1810 AVT breaker has 63J of impact energy. This 30kg breaker has an ultra-low vibration rating of just 9.5m/s2. Makita claims its DPC8112 petrol disc cutter is the lightest machine of its size on the market. The unit has a 406mm diameter blade (with a 145mm maximum cut depth), five-stage oil impregnated air cleaning and a 3,800rpm maximum wheel speed.

Approved Hydraulics, UK distributor for Baltrotors Hydraulic Rotators' hydraulic rotors for grabs and grapples, will have a number of options on show. Approved has taken on the UK agency for Bakker hydraulic grab attachments for excavators and trucks.

Dust suppression

Ace Plant will display the Quickspray dust suppression system that it says uses less water than other systems and is easy to control. It uses Ace Plant's spinning disc technology and is designed for use with telehandlers.

Tanker supplier Major Equipment's latest development is the road blaster dust suppressor. The unit combines three products to offer an efficient one for cleaning and sweeping, removing the most compacted mud and dirt from the road outside a construction site.

Accommodation

Advante, one of the pioneers of instant start welfare units, will be building on the success of last year's SED. The firm will display a number of updated accommodation units for various construction site applications.

Portable accommodation supplier Eldapoint will have one of its welfare units on show. The 6mx2.4m unit comes complete with a generator and a 3.6mx2.7m toilet block along with waste tank and access steps.

Trenchless technology

Trenchless technology champion TT UK will show the Grundodrill HDD15N and 25N bore rigs along with a small bore rig for geothermal extraction that uses the geothermal radial drilling method. It will also show extensions to the Grundoburst range with machines offering 125t and 250t of thrust and pulling force.

Bunded fuel tanks

Tuffa will exhibit dual-compartment bunded fuel stations offering 1,400 to 2,500-litre, 2,300 to 3,500-litre or 3,500 to 5,600-litre capacities. The company will also exhibit a three-tank option offering 1,400/1,400/5,600 litres, allowing storage of AdBlue or Bio-diesel as well as the usual red diesel and DERV. It has also developed an above-ground tank for 975 litres of petrol with full fireproofing.

Balmoral Tanks has introduced 5,000, 7,500 and 10,000-litre versions of its Superfill integrated fuelling stations (complying with the Control of Pollution regulations). The firm will also display similarly sized AdBlue stations, the Balmoral SuperBlue range.

The redesigned unit includes an integrated light, a 6m dispensing hose with stainless steel auto-nozzle, electronic levels gauging, a digital flowmeter and a Todo dry-disconnect coupling to prevent spillage.

Surveying/safety

The Spectra Precision GL412 and GL422 grade lasers from Trimble are said to be rugged and cost effective as they can be used to level, grade and provide vertical alignment. They have two-way, full-function remote control and can make grade changes from anywhere on the job.

Spillard Safety Systems will demonstrate its award-winning VCAS vehicle collision avoidance system. VCAS uses industrialised ultrasonic technology to produce audible and visual warnings if objects are detected within pre-set sensing zones. Spillard will also show its rollover restraint seat, which has a three inertia harness for operator comfort, along with its Eagle Eye rear-mount convex mirrors.

Engines/generators

Hatz is offering regular users the chance to send staff to the firm's UK base in Hinckley for comprehensive training on its engine range. Hatz will show a variety of models from the 1B air-cooled line-up, plus a selection of Silent-Pack sets.

Sandhurst Manufacturing will display its latest Genpac diesel-powered generator sets. Every set in the 10kVA-2,250kVA range will feature super silent canopies, long-run fuel tanks and a full rental specification.

Hire/dealers

Following a successful SED last year, Nixon Hire will show a range of small plant and tools, along with its range of welfare accommodation.

Hire giant A-Plant will have its largest SED stand to date, showing new products available for hire from every division of its business. It will have copies of its Site Safety Pack, which includes a dust supplement to help employers comply with the Workplace Exposure Limits for Respirable Crystalline Silica introduced last October.

The firm will also launch an initiative supporting the HSE's Better Backs Campaign. Whatever needs to be lifted on site, A-Plant claims to have a range of lifting equipment to handle the task.

Leach Lewis will have products from many of its leading brand suppliers, including a Thwaites 10t site dumper, Kubota mini excavators, Atlas Copco hard hat compressors, Norton Clipper floor saws and Honda generators.

MUST SEE...

• Volvo's EC210 is one of the company's first C series excavators to arrive in the UK and its electronically-controlled Stage IIIa engine is said to make it the most fuel-efficient on the market.
• The E215B, New Holland's first Stage IIIa crawler excavator, will be at SED and is more powerful and fuel-efficient than its predecessor.
• The new 5t zero tailswing H55DR excavator from Hanix offers improved operator comfort and load sensing hydraulics.
• Volvo will have three examples of its F series wheel loaders that offer improved manoeuvrability, more power and greater flexibility.
• Moxy has a new UK dealership and its latest top-weight articulated dump truck, offering more than 46t of payload, goes into series production later this year.
• While many dumper manufacturers are going large, Muck Truck will show one of the most compact units on the market it can be changed from a tiping skip to a platform in minutes.
• Having had its 440CT tracked loader available in the US for some time, Case is adding the machine to its European offering.
• It wouldn't be SED without a Bobcat skid steer beavering away and this year the S100 joins the line up. The diminutive machine weighs 1.8t, has a 453kg rated capacity and at just over 2m long it is easily manoeuvrable.
• Genie's latest telehandler, GTH-4013SX, has a 74.6kW Cummins engine, a 4t lifting capacity and a maximum 13m lift height.
• The Quickspray dust suppression system from Ace Plant is designed for use with telehandlers, uses less water than other systems and is easy to control.
• Visit TT UK's stand, view the Grundodrill HDD 15N and 25N bore rigs and join the trenchless technology revolution.
• Trimble's Spectra Precision GL412 and GL422 grade lasers can be used to level, grade and provide vertical alignment and come with remote control to make grade changes from anywhere on the job.