The
The legislation-driven need to reduce emissions and fuel consumption to comply with EU Stage IV regulations tested the innovation muscles of the construction equipment industry, says the event organisers.
And some of the results, the development of hybrid-powered excavators, for example, have advanced the industry’s environmental cause rather more quickly than anyone had previously imagined possible.
Innovation Unleashed
“And yet, with OEM R&D budgets targeted almost exclusively towards the sole aim of making equipment cleaner and greener, wider “above-the-bonnet” innovation has been stymied for a number of years. As a result, non-engine-related developments in the field of construction plant and equipment have generally been in the form of small, incremental changes and improvements: a new in-cab display here, a new shape of engine hood there.”
But with Stage IV regulations largely satisfied and the push towards Stage V still several years away, equipment manufacturers have emerged from a period of enforced focus.
“And the result has been a surge in true innovation, a fact highlighted by the sheer diversity of the entrants in the Plantworx 2015 Awards. And while some of the entries remain engine-related, the way in which those engines operate or are being harnessed is totally new and unprecedented.”
Between them, the judges had to choose the very best of the best in five key categories: Green; Safety; Security; Engineering, and Efficiency. Each category had multiple entrants and each was hotly contested by major multi-national OEMs offering a full range of equipment, and by smaller specialist companies with a very specific expertise in a particular field.
Results were:
Safety (sponsored by Construction Plant-hire Association)
Winner: International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) for the IPAF smart card system, which ensures that only qualified operators can operate a specific access platform.
Highly Commended: Elite GSS
Green (sponsored by
Winner:
Highly Commended:
Security (sponsored by the
Winner: Datatag Venom (DNA for fuel system to prevent fuel theft and to aid in its recovery in the event of a theft)
Highly Commended: IPAF
Engineering (sponsored by Leica)
Winner: JCB Inteli-Hybrid Generator
Highly Commended:
Efficiency (sponsored by
Winner:
Highly Commended: Western Global AdBlue fuel bowser
Elite Awards (sponsored by Plantworx)
With the winners of each category agreed, the judging panel was then required to choose the very best of the very best who would then be awarded an Elite Award.
Gold : Datatag Venom
Silver: IPAF smart card system
Bronze: Wacker Neuson 803
Visitor registration is now open for Plantworx which takes place at Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome, County Leicestershire, England, from 2-4 June, 2015. Entry is free (click here).
