Innovations in construction machines on show at Samoter

In March the construction equipment industry will be heading to Verona in Italy for the 28th Samoter exhibition. ABE takes a look at the innovations that will be on display

Italy's northern city of Verona may be world-famous for its star-crossed lovers but this March the focus will be on the latest technology from the construction equipment market as the city hosts the 28th 3739 Samoter Exhibition.

Organisers expect over 100,000 visitors to attend the event between 2 and 6 March this year to see the newest innovations on display across more than 130,000m2 of exhibition space with the promise of a focus on sustainability.

Quarry operators will not only benefi t from a fi rst-look at the new machines on offer but there is also a conference programme planned for Friday 4 March to look at the challenges facing the quarrying industry. Innovation, safety and ecosustainability will be discussed during the seminars, which are supported by the 2886 European Aggregates Association (UEPG) and Italy's National Association of Quarriers-Producers of Stone and Related Materials (ANELPA).

LOADING AND HAULING

394 Case will be using Samoter for the European debut of the 821F wheeled loader and the Stage IIIB-powered CX250C and CX370C crawler excavators, which will help demonstrate the company's solutions for the new engine regulations.

The 821F is the fi rst of Case's new F series machines to be launched and will be followed by other wheeled loader sizes to replace the E series machines. The 821F boasts stronger, faster hydraulics, to deliver superior performance. The 25tonne CX250C and 37tonne CX370C excavators are the fi rst of the new C series models, which Case has said offer 10% fuel effi ciency improvements, as well as improved safety and on-site performance.

6512 Hitachi will be showcasing its large wheeled loader range at Samoter with the ZW330, ZW370 and ZW550 models on display. The machines are the fi rst to be launched in Europe since the alliance between Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. (HCM), 3743 Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. (Kawasaki) and TCM Corporation (TCM) was formed in October 2008.

Hitachi has said that the large ZW models deliver enhanced performance and effi ciency, as well as increased productivity, higher levels of comfort and safety, and reduced running costs.

452 New Holland will present its Stage IIIB engine solutions with a display of the new units featuring SCR technology as well as the new E305C excavator and W170C and W190C wheeled loaders featuring the latest engines. These machines use an after-treatment system, which breaks down the NOx into Nitrogen and water, which occur naturally in the atmosphere, through a chemical reaction with a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), AdBlue. However the company has said that the system optimises effi ciency to reduce fuel consumption and maximise power.

473 Volvo Construction equipment will unveil the new F-series ADT with display of the 28tonne A30F and range topping 40tonne A40F. The new range has six model sizes from 24tonnes upwards, which Volvo has said have been designed to manoeuvre, travel and dump with effi ciency and safety at the very heart of the operation.

The company's new G-series wheeled loaders will also be launched at Samoter and Volvo claims these set new standards in fuel effi ciency with 15% improvement over the previous versions. The new loaders also boast a 20% increase in lifting force and a 10% improvement in breakout force, resulting in faster cycle times and increased productivity.

WEAR PARTS AND MAINTENANCE

937 Berco is to showcase its Robustus rotating bushing track undercarriage system, which it claims reduce the maintenance costs by more than 50% on crawler dozer or loaderundercarriages. The company has said that the gains come from the bushing rotating when in contact with the sprocket, reducing the bushing and sprocket friction and wear. As a consequence, it is not necessary to turn bushings and pins and replace sprocket segments during the whole life of the undercarriage.

ENVIRONMENT AND SAFETY

Water management specialists Fraccaroli & Balzan will display its FB/1500-100 fi lterpress which features 100 1500 x 1500mm plates and a fully automatic system for washing the screens. The company has said that it will be conducting live demonstrations throughout the show.

Air quality is the focus of 942 TechnoAlpin's planned product launch with display of its latest dust laying sprayer which produces a fi ne atomised water fog to bond dust particles at their source of origin and prevent spread in the ambient air. The descending spray also leads to humidifi cation of the ground to prevent redevelopment of the dust.
Improved blind-spot detection is offered by 958 Brigade Electronics new pulsed radar system, which will be launched at Samoter under the name of Wokzone Backsense. The company has said that unlike most radar systems Workzone has two antennas offering complimentary detection ranges. One antenna offers a shorter radar beam for close-in detection across the back of the vehicle, while the other offers a 3m range and is approximately the width of the vehicle to prevent false alarms.

TECHNOLOGY

395 Caterpillar's stand will feature a central area dedicated to practical, business driven innovations, technology and services designed to help customers' success, lessen environmental impact and work more safely. Most importantly, the area incorporates information on Stage IIIB solutions, the D7E electric drive track-type tractor, as well as Connected Worksite technology with next generation Product Link and new integrated Cat Grade Control.