SED 2008 preview: Site Equipment Zone

From very little to very large, there is a lot to see in the Site Equipment Zone. On the small side, two micro excavators will take centre stage on the Bobcat stand. The E08 and E10 weigh 1,028kg and 1,066kg, though they share the same 1.82m digging depth. Both have a retractable undercarriage, dropping to 710mm to allow access through a doorway, with the E08 extending to 1m and the E10 to 1.1m.

Volvo will be showing its short-radius ECR48C, which has automatic two-speed tracking as standard. Options include a hydraulic angle blade, a hydraulic thumb attachment, or a second double-acting auxiliary hydraulic circuit.

Yanmar will launch its fourth generation of zero-tailswing machines: the Universal ViO50 and Universal ViO57. Both have a new boom design, weigh 4.6t and 5.3t respectively, and are powered by Yanmar's 4TNV88 engine. The cab now has an air suspension seat with an automatic engine cut-out if the operator stands up.

JCB is back at the show with new machines and the JCB Backhoe Operator Challenge. This competition will take place alongside the demonstration area and operators can test their skills with prizes for the fastest round of the day.

Machines will include the 8055, available in reduced tailswing (RTS) or zero tailswing (ZTS) versions. It will also be showing the largest 8020 model that can be transported on a plant trailer behind a van.

Hyundai is back with the Dash 7A upgrade to its range of 5.5t wheeled and tracked excavators. The company aims to have an R55-7A crawler on the stand and is releasing the R80-7A midi excavator, which has the same cab as full-size Dash 7A machines.

Takeuchi is launching 3t, 4t and 5t minis, the TB228, TB235 and TB250, which come with increased performance, improved operator comfort and an anti-theft system. A reduced tailswing cuts the rear by 36mm, although operators benefit from a 12% increase in foot space.

Operators with a CPCS card have a chance to try the machines in a competition. The challenge combines offset operation with reduced tail-swing and full 360º performance.

Marubeni-Komatsu will have the PC16R-3, PC26MR-3, PC30MR-3, PC35MR-3 and PC45MR-3 mini excavators on show, along with a PC80MR-3 roadliner midi. The firm will be showing models from the skid steer and backhoe loader lines, and this year's focus will be on the Komtrax system, which is being launched on the Utility range and the roadliners.

Doosan has added the zero-tailswing DX30Z 3-tonner, the larger DX60R and DX80R to its range, and will also show a conventional DX55 midi. Those looking for larger machinery will not be disappointed, as Doosan will also have the DL450 wheeled loader and the DX140LC, the firm's latest 14t crawler excavator.

Excavators

Volvo will complete its C series line-up with the EC140C. This 14t model is powered by a Volvo engine that offers more torque, up from 390Nm to 472Nm.

The company will unveil the ECR235C short-radius excavator, a 21t machine with improved stability and weight distribution, and superior swing performance.

Higher up the range, Volvo will be showing a high-reach demolition version of the EC360C, with a 21m boom and will launch high-reach equipment for the EC290C and the EC460C later this year.

JCB will be showing additions to its JS Auto line, including the 29t JS290, filling the gap between the firm's 26t and 33t machines and offering customers a lower cost option in the 28t-33t sector.

Chinese manufacturer Topcatt will make an appearance at this year's SED. The company will have a 15t TC150 crawler excavator and a 21t TC210. Also on display will be the 29t TD7 dozer. Topcatt says these machines are available without any computers or electronic control systems.

Case will be upgrading its 13t excavator - the CX130B joins an increasing number of B-series machines, featuring a larger cab, improved performance, lower emissions and reduced fuel consumption.

Liebherr is showing the first in a new generation of crawler excavators. The R906 Classic weighs 22t and boasts low noise and exhaust emissions. With a four-mode hydraulic system and a 105kW engine, the R906 is offered with monoboom or two-piece main booms and a choice of dipper sticks.

Telehandlers

Liebherr's TL435-13 telehandler will make an appearance and is one of four models available, all powered by the firm's 80kW motor. The machines use an oviform boom from the telescopic crane division. Hydrostatic drive is said to give smooth and stepless speed control and the TL435-13 has a turning circle of just 3.8m.

Caterpillar dealer Finning will have its TH255 and TH414 telehandlers on the stand, alongside the 319D tracked excavator and a 930H wheel loader. Finning will also use the event as the launch of the UK heats for this year's Caterpillar European Operator Challenge. The company is expecting a lot of interest in the Challenge, with up to 200 drivers taking part each day.

JCB's HiViz teleshandlers will make their first UK appearance. The HiViz Loadalls have a lower boom mounting point and smaller boom cross-section, offering the operator an improved view to the rear and to the right of the machine.

Ausa celebrates 20 years in the UK with the introduction of the Taurolift telehandler and four models of 4t and 5t rough-terrain fork lifts. The four-wheel drive Taurolift T204H has a 2t/4.2m envelope and four-wheel steering optimises manoeuvrability. The C400 and C500H RTFLs are available in both four and two-wheel drive variants. Maximum lift height is 6.8m.

Merlo brings its cab-suspension system to the UK, in the shape of a production P55.9CS. The cab is supported on two articulated arms, which rest on normal cab mounts when deactivated. But when the suspension is activated, a hydraulic ram lifts the cab by 60mm to initiate the suspension.

Manitou UK is celebrating breaking through the £100m turnover barrier in 2007. The company is pushing its Privilege range of telehandlers, in both MT telehandler and MRT rotary handler formats.

Compact plant & tools

Thwaites is back at SED with two additional models. The 9t powerswivel uses the heavy-duty rear chassis developed for the firm's 10t forward-tip dumper, which raises the operator position to improve visibility.

The 1.5t powerswivel dumper is an evolution of the company's 1t Hi-Tip machine and has an increased volume skip with a width of 1.3m.

Visitors to DeWalt will be able to try products powered by the firm's lithium-ion battery. Also on show will be a range of corded and cordless saws, low-vibration demolition hammers, the 28V nanotechnology power system and the DW777 compact mitre saw.

The complete Makita drill range will be demonstrated. Visitors will be encouraged to take a hands-on trial of the drills to gain their own impression of power, vibration and performance. Models include the HR3210C and the HR4511C, which extend the line-up to 5kg-30kg operating weight.

Belle Group is introducing a four-model range of hydraulic hand-held breakers, with weights of 12kg, 23kg, 25kg and 27kg. It has also revised its low hand-arm vibration breaker to produce the BHB2025X, said to achieve a low rating while delivering high productivity. Also new is the 12,000rpm high-frequency electric poker.

Sullair brings portability to the air breaker market with the launch of the PAC80 compressor, the MX22 paving breaker and the SX10 pick hammer. Powered by a Honda GX200 engine, the PAC80 can easily be lifted by two people and transported in a van.

Sullair products are a major focus for equipment dealer Oswald Record. All five of the company's depots in the UK will offer the full range of Sullair equipment.

Ingersoll-Rand compressors, generators and attachments will take centre stage on the Doosan Infracore and DII Attachments stand. Expect a range of portable compressors, including the 7/20E, one of the most compact machines in its class with an optional bunded base. DII will also have a G80 generator, the latest model from the Powersource range.

Arc-Gen will show an extended range of Super Silent and Ultra Silent machines and says its latest additions will be among the quietest of their type on the UK market. In the Weldmaker welder-generator family, Arc-Gen will unveil the 400SSD and the 500SSD, along with the 400CC/CV. The firm will also take the wraps off nine DCA generators ranging from 14kVA-100kVA in the Super Silent line-up and two Ultra Silent models offering 22kVA and 40kVA. The Ultra Silent models are said to generate just 50dB(A) at 7m.

Road maintenance

Volvo will have its re-branded range of compaction and asphalt machinery, including the DD-22 and DD-24 2.5t asphalt rollers and the smaller DD14. Its road machinery division offers soil compactors, tandem vibrating rollers and paving machines, five on tracks and two on wheels.

Bomag will demonstrate the advantages of its Economizer compaction measurement device that is now an option on its vibratory plates. Through a ring of lights, going from green to red, the Economizer displays compaction progress, so the correct compaction can be obtained with minimum number of passes.

Multi Industries' Multi Sweep RT800 rear tractor sweeper collector will make its first SED appearance this year. The unit is equipped with a power water lance and a 500-litre water capacity. It has a 2.4m sweeping width, a 900-litre debris container and an optional 206bar power hose attachment.

The latest innovation from Ace Plant is Quickspray, a dust suppression unit for telehandlers that uses the firm's spinning-disc technology to spread the water. Ace claims that the system uses up to 90% less water than many competitors.

Components

TEK Seating will exhibit its 600 series construction seats from manufacturer KAB. The modular design 600 allows interchangeability of air or mechanical suspension systems to provide a range of seating solutions for manufacturers.

The firm will also be offering a special promotion at the show on the 85/E6 seat, the 81/E6 and the XH2/U4, with discounts ranging from £50 to £159.

Brigade Electronics has a range of products on show, including the Backsense reversing alarm, which uses pulsed radar technology to detect objects at a longer range than ultrasonic aids. The firm will be showing a self-adjusting broad-band sound alarm. The bbs-tek alarm measures ambient sound and adjusts its alarm to be 5-10dB(A) louder. The sound level ranges from 77-97dB(A).

Trimble is set to demonstrate how varying control systems can be tied together to work as a whole. The firm's SED demonstration brings together site positioning, equipment and mobile assist control in what the company calls a connected community. This uses web communications to keep sites, offices, contractors and clients in touch with the project development.

Topcon has added two models to its 2D excavating control system - the 2DXi and the 2DXe. The 2DXi is an affordable basic system that can be used for cutting slopes and excavating trenches, footings and basements and can easily be upgraded to 3D GPS+ control.

The 2DXe unit is a low-cost option for excavators and backhoes only requiring basic control and consists of four tilt sensors, the GX-40 graphic display and a detachable light bar for grade indication.

New on the Spillard Safety Systems stand is a warning-only version of the firm's VCAS vehicle collision avoidance system. VCAS 200 uses three ultrasonic sensors to warn operators of potential danger within a predetermined range up to 6m. The warning is provided by a speech alert, a load tone and by high intensity LED lights.

Cummins is one of the first engine manufacturers to show a complete Tier 4 engine. The company's QSB engine uses a variety of technologies, including high-pressure common rail injection, variable geometry turbocharging and a diesel particulate filter.

Utility equipment

TT-UK's Grundodrill 15N offers an impressive 7,000Nm of torque and 167kN of thrust and pullback, from a machine that weighs just 12.5t. The rig is easily configured using a touchscreen control and suits the toughest ground conditions.

Welfare

Elstons will be among a number of companies exhibiting an increasingly important range of welfare units. The company will also demonstrate an environmentally friendly towable unit.

Cabin Centre offers a wide range of welfare units to meet the needs of the construction sector. From compact welfare pods that can be towed behind a 4x4 or van, to fully equipped canteens and rest areas, the company provides a full hire or sales service across the UK.