Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 405 i Earthmovers & Excavators

FAE’s new RPL/SSL, RPM/SSL and RWM/SSL shredders work with skid steers between 60 horsepower (45kW) and 120hp (89kW) and add further depth to FAE’s construction range. The units are based on cold planer technology, FAE says, where the road’s surface is scraped and cut by the impact of special teeth that are attached to the rotor. It also has a layout that is specifically designed to increase performance and reduce vibration. The RPL/SSL and RPM/SSL models are primarily designed for surface preparation before resurfacing roads with new asphalt or concrete, or to simplify excavation operations. The RWM/SSL model, equipped with a disc rotor, aims to ensure targeted excavations for laying electrical, water, gas and fibre optic conduits. Many of these uses will apply to farmers, in addition to the primary…

Thwaites displayed an advanced concept machine and says a version will be made available to the market in 2023. Earthmoving Equipment Australia is the Australian distributor for the brand. “As the demand for cleaner alternative fuel sources grows, we are keen to ensure we offer a quality product that delivers for our customers, their clients and the environment,” Thwaites general sales manager Andy Sabin says. Four 5.75kWh lithium-ion (dry-cell) batteries, operating at 48V, are fitted. The electric drive dumper has a similar unladen weight when compared to the diesel/hydrostatic version. The main battery pack and driveline components now sit low in the rear chassis, lowering the centre of gravity when compared to the hydrostatic drive machine, further improving machine stability. Critically, the battery pack will complete a full eight-hour shift…

Industrial tech company Trimble and Exyn Technologies, a developer of autonomous robotics, have announced a collaboration to explore the use of autonomous construction surveying technology. The solution will integrate Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot, the ExynPak powered by ExynAI and the Trimble X7 total station. “The integration of autonomous surveying technology into a construction workflow has groundbreaking potential,” Trimble vice president of technology innovation Aviad Almagor says. “It can improve operational efficiency and transparency throughout the build lifecycle while also transforming worker safety for potentially hazardous data collection.” The robot can sense and avoid obstacles, with the ExynPak supporting level 4 autonomous exploration missions without requiring the robot to ‘learn’ about its environment beforehand. A surveyor simply defines a 3D volume for a mission and the integrated robotic solution handles the…

The new base will support the building construction, civil, mining and survey sectors in the region with access to local sales and support. Position Partners’ new Rockhampton facility follows the opening of another branch in Townsville in May this year. Together, the two branches have made a commitment to supporting customers throughout the state. “Our customers are based and/or win work throughout the state of Queensland, so we are committed to being there to support them whenever and wherever they need us to be,” Position Partners Queensland regional manager Harry Katsanevas says. “There’s a strong pipeline of work in the central and northern areas of the state, and with bases now in Brisbane, Townsville and Rockhampton we’re ready to help customers with leading technology backed by great service.” Position Partners…

ITR Pacific is part of the USCO ITR Group – the world’s largest aftermarket supplier of parts for earthmoving machinery. With branches in Brisbane, Mackay, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Kalgoorlie, an extensive geographical footprint of warehousing and workshops in the Australian market and industry experts in each region, ITR Pacific can offer a superior customer experience across undercarriage, ground engaging tools, repair parts, rubber tracks and tyres. The unparalleled range held locally, and support from the Group, means ITR Pacific can confidently sell into all sectors of the Australian market, including mining, construction, plant hire, agricultural and forestry industries. ITR Pacific carries a full range of parts across all main product categories for excavators, dozers, loaders, graders and scrapers. USCO ITR is recognised as an industry leader worldwide. Headquartered…

Productivity in Australia’s construction sector has not improved across the past 30 years, a report from Australian Constructors Association (ACA) says. The report – Disrupt or Die – outlines how the industry has stagnated in terms of its productivity. Construction productivity, it says, is lower today than it was in 1990 which is a result of a sector that is stuck in the past and has failed to adapt to contemporary practices and technologies. Considering the Australian construction industry is responsible for employing almost one in 10 of the country’s working population and contributes seven per cent of the national GDP, the report paints a worrying picture of a sector not only treading water but regressing in its efforts to be more productive. In all, the poor productivity achieved by…

Queensland coal mining company Batchfire Resources is committed to responsibly developing the Callide Basin’s resources while reducing its environmental impact and carbon footprint, so optimising mobile machinery to lower fuel emissions and increase operational efficiencies is an ongoing priority. Batchfire’s long-term partnership with Hastings Deering has supported the business’ strategy of phasing out older machines and upgrading its pre-strip-mining fleet. With nearly 100,000 hours on the clock, Batchfire Resources recently retired the original Cat 994 wheel loader to bring in a brand new Cat 994K, which is customised for run-of-mine (ROM) coal operations. This new model has already achieved excellent results, generating 150 per cent more material movement without increasing carbon emissions thanks to the new model’s larger and stronger design, which offers higher payload and horsepower. Batchfire Resources super-intendent…

The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) has issued a list of tips for handing equipment bogged on rural roads and properties, asking for owners and operators to take care when recovering it. With the significant levels of rainfall seen across NSW and Victoria recently, it’s not uncommon for vehicles and equipment to get sunk in mud, but ALRTA treasurer Alan McKenzie warns that recovering bogged vehicles is an extremely dangerous activity that carries the risk of death or serious injury. He advises that towballs should never used to extract a bogged vehicle and that there are risks around recovery straps and equipment failing under the tension and being propelled through the windscreen of the towed vehicle or plant during extraction. ARLTA points to guidance information supplied by SafeWork…

The NSW government has released three Bills as part of the 2020–25 Construct NSW transformation strategy, which includes a proposal to regulate builders and designers undertaking commercial work. The Building Bill 2022 proposes replacing the Home Building Act 1989 to regulate all building work in NSW, both residential and commercial, license practitioners and put consumer protection in place as well as limit what work owner-builders will be able to carry out and implement fire safety requirements for building work. There will also be a new regulatory scheme for pre-fabricated and manufactured housing. The Building Compliance and Enforcement Bill 2022 will replace the Residential Apartment Buildings Act and expand regulatory compliance and enforcement powers for the building and construction industry in NSW. This includes strengthening officer powers to investigate, gather information…

Australia Build Week – online From the organisers of Sydney Build Expo, Australia Build Week Online is the leading meeting place for the construction, architecture and infrastructure industry. WHEN: December 5–9, 2022 MORE INFO: www.australiabuild.com Future of Mining Australia – Sydney This two-day event brings together over 500 members of the mining industry and 40 exhibitors to discuss exploration and development, sustainability and optimisation, innovation and technology, strategy and planning, connectivity and digitisation, and people and leadership. WHEN: February 20–21, 2023 MORE INFO: australia.future-of-mining.com Sydney Build, Sydney Infrastructure and Digital Construction Australia – Sydney Sydney Build, Sydney Infrastructure and Digital Construction Australia are held alongside one another, making it a huge event for the construction industry to get involved with. Free to attend, Sydney Build has over 500 exhibitors and…

A new study by The University of South Australia has tested and verified the structural integrity of walls constructed from tyres packed with earth, with the results potentially providing new opportunities for the reuse of end-of-life tyres in the construction industry, it says. An average of 55 million (450,000 tonnes) of tyres each year are disposed of in Australia each year, the vast majority of which end up in landfills or stockpiles. While earth-packed tyre walls have been used in niche construction scenarios for decades, this research aimed at promoting its further use. Supported by Tyre Stewardship Australia, the team assessed the structural integrity of a test tyre wall to examine how the structure performed under various stressors. According to Dr Martin Freney, the wall proved to be as structurally…

Based in Rylstone in central New South Wales, BlackLab Solar specialises in high-quality solar installation and maintenance. Owner Paul Deegan handles all the company’s installation, maintenance and ordering himself, and made the decision to buy a new forklift for indoor operation, storing his equipment in an old hangar during a period of heavy rain. After looking at a couple of options, he quickly settled on a Toyota 8FBE20 electric forklift, with the material quality of Toyota products a big reason for purchase. “Every time I get on it, I just think ‘how good is this’, because, in the old days starting the business, I was in Sydney and I had my kids hand-loading the solar panels, and now I’ll lift six pallets off a truck and it’s done in 15…

Construction on the new facility will commence by the end of the year, with completion expected by early 2024. RDO Equipment, the distributor for brands such as John Deere and Vermeer, says the development is part of the company’s strategy to provide world-class facilities across key regional locations, with Toowoomba earmarked as a pivotal location within regional southeast Queensland. The dealership will hold a range of construction, agriculture, turf and utility equipment. “We’re extremely excited to be building a new state-of-the-art workshop and dealership in this key distribution hub,” RDO Equipment chief executive Phil Canning says. “Our new location in the Aatlis Precinct, with large, modern facilities and conveniently situated for surface and air transport, will place us in an optimal position to continue to offer our customers the service…

Position Partners has announced an upgrade to Premium Partner status by industrial mobile network communication provider Rajant. The agreement will see Position Partners continue to grow the reach of Rajant Kinetic Mesh solutions across Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia for mining and other industrial sectors. “The Position Partners team has been highly engaged with Rajant solutions since joining the partner program in 2019, winning Fastest Growing New Partner at our Australian summit in 2021,” Rajant APAC sales director Troy McKay says. “We’re delighted to announce their achievement of top tier distributor status and look forward to working together for the benefit of mining customers throughout the region.” Position Partners has successfully deployed Rajant Kinetic Mesh solutions for customers in the Pilbara, Bowen Basin and Hunter Valley. With a commitment…

Engcon’s third generation tiltrotator system will be introduced in Doosan’s new DX225LC-7X excavator. The DX225LC-7X was unveiled by Doosan in August of this year and is a fully-electric hydraulic excavator that features a factory provided 2D machine control and the latest technology from Doosan. As part of the tech offering, the machine is also Engcon Ready, meaning it can easily be equipped with the MIG2 Grips and third generation control system DC3. Engcon’s DC3 system and machine controllers interact via controller area network (CAN), which allows for data to be exchanged between the two systems at high speeds, meaning a deeply integrated solution is available to the operator. Engcon control system product owner Fredrik Eklind says the collaborative system will result in higher productivity and flexibility for users. “The deep…

Concrete systems manufacturer CIFA showcased its new K42E truck pump at bauma, the latest in its fully electric range of concrete machines. “The Energya brand has been a revolution for the sector ever since its launch in 2013, presaging such current concerns as the importance of electrification for sustainability, automation and connectivity,” CIFA CEO Davide Cipolla says. “Indeed, these have become prerogatives for all CIFA machines – by using the digitisation of management systems and remote monitoring (CIFA Vista). We are proud to have been pioneers in a traditional sector such as the concrete industry, which is becoming aware of the need to change and adapt in an evolving global situation. “The concrete sector has three approaches to achieve the objectives of the 2030 Agenda: the introduction of low-impact materials…

A new medium sized excavator and a tracked skid steer are both set to be added to the Sunward range, distributed by Lynfield Mini X. The pair of machines will be added to the product line-up for the business, which is the distributor for Sunward products in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. The new additions at Lynfield Mini are the results of the efforts of Lynfield manager Jayden Lynch, who was one of the half a million attendees at bauma 2022 last month, where he finally got the opportunity to meet and mingle with many of Sunward’s top brass from its European ranks. And while the vast expanses of the Neue Messe München exhibition halls could never be a substitute for the home comforts of Altona North on Melbourne’s outer…

Those who have had to navigate the industrial relations laws in this country know that the application of these laws have been shaped by various court interpretations of legislation over the years. It takes expert experience to adequately ensure compliance with the laws and establish agreements with the workforce. If it is not correctly addressed, the consequences for employers can be quite catastrophic. The federal government introduced the Secure Jobs Better Pay Bill 2022 to Parliament in November. The Bill proposes changes to workplace relations relating to bargaining, job security, gender equity, conditions, protections, compliance and enforcement. There are several concerns regarding this Bill. The federal government had preempted changes prior to the election regarding the abolition of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), which Civil Contractors Federation (CCF)…

With help from MSC Group and its range of McCloskey plant equipment, Brisbane’s Ascot Demolition has been able to expand its footprint and offer more services to its customers. The family-owned and operated business began around two decades ago, primarily in the area of what its business name suggests – demolition – but has since grown to include a plethora of other services. From site remediation and bulk excavation to earthmoving jobs such as civil contracting and rock breaking, the services offered by Ascot Demolition are almost endless. Director Gareth Golding, whose own experience in demolition and earthmoving spans back to his youth, says the business prides itself on being a one-stop shop for customers. “As we’ve developed, more of our work falls under civil earthmoving than demolition as you’d…

South Australian recruitment agency Roussos recently undertook a survey of 700 industry leaders across the construction, architecture, engineering and property sectors in South Australia to see how the current market has changed over the past year, and predictions for the year ahead. Despite economic challenges, sentiment remains positive across the board and the majority of respondents stated that they are highly buoyant about the SA market over the next 12 months. Responses collected show that the majority of South Australian businesses in these sectors expect their turnover to either increase or remain the same in the next 12 months, whereas a third expect their profitability to decrease. Key challenges identified include the rising cost of materials and equipment, hiring and retaining talent, winning competitive bids and maintaining sustainable margins. On…

The monthly figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for September indicate a positive shift for turnover in construction and mining. Mining turnover improved 3.9 per cent across September, followed closely by construction at 3.6 per cent. ABS head of business indicators Kate Lamb says all sectors recorded yearly increases, however seven of the 13 industries fell from August to September. “All industries recorded year-on-year increases in business turnover, led by accommodation and food services (65.6 per cent) and arts and recreation (52.9 per cent),” Lamb says. In all, the mining sector has recovered well since the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, with figures from September 2022 (165.4 turnover index points) sizeably larger than that of the same month in 2020 (87.9). On the other hand, the total…

The Australian Human Rights Commission and Respect@Work Council have launched a new website – www.respectatwork.gov.au – that provides a list of resources for employers and workers to help workplaces prevent and respond to sexual harassment. The Respect@Work website brings together a comprehensive set of resources for employers and workers, including: good-practice guides training programs workplace assessment tools videos guidance. The Respect@Work: Sexual Harassment National Inquiry Report, published in 2020, identified gender inequality as the key power disparity that drives sexual harassment, with male-dominated industries such as building and construction having higher risk settings for workplace sexual harassment. Reportable behaviour can include sexually suggestive comments or jokes, intrusive questions about somebody’s private life, sexually explicit pictures, staring/leering, indecent exposure, inappropriate physical contact and repeated or inappropriate advances. The report found that…

The National Diesel Dirt &Turf Expo is where the earthmoving equipment industry gathers every year to exhibit the latest and greatest in machinery, technology and services. Over the years, members of the industry have demonstrated how much they enjoy the opportunity to network and build relationships through this event. There are many stories around people and businesses that are always ready to lend a helping hand. The desire of the industry to make a contribution to the community is clearly shown at the annual Diesel Dirt & Turf Golf Day where fundraising proceeds are raised for worthy community charities and organisations. Back for 2023 The Diesel Dirt & Turf annual charity golf day is back. After the 2022 golf day was flooded out, the local organisation Mama Lana’s Community Foundation…

Now in its fifth year, 16 awards were presented to apprentices and two inaugural employer awards. Construction trades made up a large portion of the accolades on offer. Winners on the night included: Alex Tupuse from TC Clarke and Son as Carpentry Apprentice of the Year Calum Harrison from Design Spec Joinery & Kitchens as Furnishing Trades Apprentice of the Year Ashlee Carter from Superior Walls & Ceilings as Construction Apprentice of the Year Allyson Burrows from Apprenticeships Queensland as the Painting & Decorating Apprentice of the Year Scott Taylor from AMC Queensland as the Bricklaying Apprentice of the Year Jenny Kirk from GD Downs Plumbing Drainage and Gas as the Plumbing & Gas Fitting Apprentice of the Year Douglas Jones from PositivEnergy as the Electrical Apprentice of the Year…

Volvo Construction Equipment has announced that it will invest approximately A$50 million into its production facility in Braas, Sweden. The investment will see the factory developed between now and 2027 in order to produce a larger range of articulated haulers with varying powertrain types to reflect the shift in demand towards more sustainable power sources for equipment. Production capacity at the Braas plant will also be extended to broaden the range moving forward, with the addition of new buildings and equipment to the 45,000 square metre site. Volvo CE says investment will be made in automation and ergonomics as well, to both reduce the need for employees to engage in repetitive tasks and create safe working environments. The decision to invest in the Braas facility was made by Volvo’s board…

An Australian family-owned and operated equipment hire company, Kennards Hire’s new branch will provide an extensive range of height and lift solutions equipment, ranging from forklifts to telehandlers. It is also home to the largest boom lift available in Australia. “Kennards Hire is excited to be carrying on an already amazing legacy started in Darwin by Top End Access Hire,” Kennards Hire area manager Trent Torrens says. “We’re lucky to have the experienced staff from their team join us to continue the great experience and service customers are used to. “This is the first Access-specific branch for Kennards Hire and its specialised equipment range will cater to the growing infrastructure developments and needs in the Northern Territory. “The availability of the 180ft Genie boom lift is industry-changing. We’re confident this…

The updated mulchers, which were part of a larger line up announcement that also included snow attachments and a six-way dozer blade, were unveiled to the public at the Equip Exposition in Kentucky in October. ASV says the mulchers are compatible with its Max-Series RT135F and RT75HD posi-track loaders but are able to be fitted on other major brands’ track loader models. ASV attachments product manager Frank Gangi says the updated mulcher models are designed for year-round performance. “These new attachments allow operators to seamlessly transition from dirt and landscaping work in the summer to snow clearing in the winter,” Gangi says. “Our machines are designed for all seasons and conditions and that includes our attachments.” The new mulcher attachments are offered in a standard drum or depth control series…

Hydraulic Steels Australia already boasts the largest range of hydraulic steels in the country, but the grand opening of its new head-quarters in Brisbane is set to catapult the business to even bigger heights. While the new facility has been operating since late 2020, it was formally christened on October 14 this year, opening its doors to valued customers and business partners. The company specialises in supplying the hydraulic cylinder repair and hydraulic cylinder manufacturing industries. Steels used are suitable for most types of hydraulic applications and are compatible with most original equipment manufacturer (OEM) machines in sectors including earthmoving, construction, mining and agriculture. The new facility, located on Ashover Road, Rocklea, in Brisbane’s south, features over 4,000 square metres of warehousing, 12 bandsaws and, in founder and managing director…

In a pit near Calbe, a town in central Germany, around 5,443 tonnes of gravel is removed daily by earth-works specialist Erdbau Schrader. Gravel extraction began at the site around 30 years ago and is expected to continue for another three decades. Currently navigating this tough terrain, travelling up and down steep inclines to unload around two kilometres away, is a Rokbak RA30 articulated hauler, the latest addition to Erdbau Schrader’s fleet. “We chose Rokbak because of its reliability and the price-performance ratio, as well as the hauler’s ability to cope with our long, heavy off-road operations,” Erdbau Schrader managing director Ines Schrader says. “We also wanted to ensure that our experienced operators would be able to work with maximum comfort.” Erdbau Schrader was founded in April 2011. The company…

Safe Work Australia has released its Key Work Health and Safety Statistics Australia 2022 report, which analyses work-related fatality and serious injury data in Australia for 2021. And there is some great news – Australia’s work-related fatality rate has decreased by 35 per cent over the past 10 years, and there’s been a huge 57 per cent decrease in the fatality rate from a peak in 2007. However, in 2021, there was still a total of 169 workplace fatalities in Australia – the vast majority being men working in areas of machinery operation, labouring and trades. With the highest numbers recorded in NSW and QLD, men between the ages of 45–64 are those who are at the highest risk of death at work. Speaking with Earthmovers & Excavators, Safe Work…

For the first time in over a year, all four construction subsectors were in a state of contraction across the month of October, with the continued rise of interest rates again being the instigator. Not since August 2021 have all four subsectors been in a state of contraction, according to the Australian Performance of Construction Index (PCI), which is produced by the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) and Housing Industry Association (HIA) each month. The PCI reading for October fell by -3.2 points to 43.3, representing the fifth straight month of contraction – which is at an increased rate compared to September. Index readings below 50 indicate a contraction in activity, while results above 50 indicate expansion. The overall activity drop (-2.2) in October was largely underpinned by sizeable declines…

Prime Creative Media is launching a new event for the Australian construction industry in September 2023 – the Inside Construction Expo. Taking place September 20–21 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Inside Construction Expo 2023 will feature a conference and exhibition that will showcase the latest technology on offer alongside insightful perspectives and discussions around the current state of play of the industry, major challenges facing those working within it and what the future of construction may look like. The construction industry is a critical pillar of the Australian economy. It is the third largest industry, producing upwards of $437 billion in revenue and approximately nine per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product in 2022. The sector has a projected annual growth rate of 2.4 per cent over…

The Government of Canada, in collaboration with the Cement Association of Canada (CAC), has published a roadmap to achieving net-zero carbon concrete in the coming decades. Concrete is the most used building material on the planet, and the cement needed to make that concrete accounts for seven per cent of global CO2 emissions and about 1.5 per cent of Canada’s emissions. Canada’s cement and concrete industry is now pursuing the elimination of more than 15 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions cumulatively by 2030, followed by ongoing reductions of over four million tonnes annually from the production of cement and concrete in Canada. As a first step, the roadmap includes the Action Plan to 2030, which is centred on three priority areas: driving Canadian market development; advancing innovation and transition…

Hare & Forbes is currently accepting pre-orders for a December shipment of the ArcDroid CNC portable plasma robot, after products from the first sold out earlier this year. The company says the ArcDroid will appeal to anyone who needs to cut custom shapes and plates – ideal for onsite structural work, agricultural repairs and automotive restoration workshops. “Even small fabricators with limited workshop space or home hobby workshops will benefit from this compact and versatile portable plasma robot,” Hare & Forbes says. Weighing just 16 kilograms and having a convenient cut envelope of 660mm x 380mm, the ArcDroid operates from a 10-amp 240v supply and is easy to transport and store. It features a glove-friendly intuitive touchscreen interface and comes standard with quick change holders that allow the operator to…