Despite the slow down in the US market, this year's ConExpo looks set to be one of the biggest yet. ABE previews the new quarrying machines that will be on display he international construction equipment industry's triannual visit to the US will roll into the desert state of Nevada next month for ConExpo 2008. Taking turns in alternate years to France's Intermat and Germany's Bauma exhibitions, the Las Vegas show is the main event for new machine launches this year. Between 11 and 15 March, the Las Vegas Co
Despite the slow down in the US market, this year’s ConExpo looks set to be one of the biggest yet. ABE previews the new quarrying machines that will be on display
The international construction equipment industry’s triannual visit to the US will roll into the desert state of Nevada next month for ConExpo 2008. Taking turns in alternate years to France’s Intermat and Germany’s Bauma exhibitions, the Las Vegas show is the main event for new machine launches this year.
Between 11 and 15 March, the Las Vegas Convention Centre is expected to welcome more than 125,000 visitors coming to see the latest technology launches from the 2000-plus exhibitors. The 212,000 square metres of exhibits at the show will be supported by a 120 session-strong seminar programme and special safety zone display area.
As in past shows, exhibitors at ConExpo are grouped into product-concentration areas to help attendees more easily find the products and companies they’re most interested in. These product groupings are: aggregates; asphalt and compaction; concrete; earthmoving machinery and attachments; engines and components, information technology; trucks; utilities; lifting (aerial and cranes); associations/industry events; drilling; safety and traffic; and trenching and shoring.Hauling and loading
Caterpillar is expected to have one of the largest stands at the exhibition but the company has not released details of its new launches ahead of the opening. However, it is understood that there will be several new developments for the quarrying sector on display.
Hitachi will be sharing a stand with US development partner John Deere and centre stage will be the 84tonne ZX850LC-3 excavator, which will be used to demonstrate the company’s ZXLink telematics system.
Liebherr has a number of new launches planned for ConExpo, including a number of machines for the quarrying sector.
The show will be the first time the company has displayed its new 31tonne operating weight L586 2plus2 wheeled loader, which extends Liebhrr’s wheeled loader range upwards. The machine, powered by a 250kW Liebherr engine, has a tipping load capacity of 20.4tonnes and is fitted with a 5.5m3 bucket as standard.
Also new on Liebherr’s stand will be the first of its fourth generation crawler loaders – the LR634. According to Liebherr, the machine is entirely new from chassis to cab and the design will be rolled out to include other models in the range.
Drilling
Atlas Copco will be displaying its SmartRig range on its stand and will give visitors the first chance to step inside its new cabins on the ROC rigs (see equipment update).
Crushing and screening
Following the launch of a joint sales strategy, Terex Powerscreen and Terex Pegson will be exhibiting their machines together. Both companies are expected to display new innovations at the show alongside Powerscreen’s Chieftain 1700 triple deck and H5163 screens and Pegson’s XH250 and XA750 crushers.
Astec company Telsmith will be unveiling its new Quarry-Trax track mounted jaw crusher at the show. According to Telsmith, the new high capacity crusher features PLC controls to improve operation with full automation and push button controls. Metso Mineral’s new LT116 Lokotrack (see equipment update) will make its US-debut at ConExpo alongside the company’s LT200HPS cone plant which is fitted with a two-deck detachable screen.
Sandvik subsidiary Fintec’s 1440 track mounted mobile impact crusher will be launched to the US market in Las Vegas. The machine has a two-deck pre-screen which feeds a Sandvik PR301D impactor and can be used for crushing rock or for recycling applications.
Fintec’s sister company Extec will also be making a new launch for the US-market with the S-7 mobile screen, which is the largest model in the company’s range. The screen has the same double screen design as Extec’s S-4, S-5 and S-6 but has a triple deck configuration.
Screening media specialist Major Wire will be demonstrating its Flex-Mat 3 wire media. According to the company, the media is self-cleaning and can significantly improve performance and throughput of almost any screen box.Asphalt production
Astec Mobile Screens latest launch is aimed at the recycled asphalt sector. According to AMS, the wheel-mounted ProSizer 2612V is a complete solution for processing RAP millings with a double deck high frequency screen with fast set up times.
AMS’s parent company Astec will also be presenting new developments for the asphalt industry with the latest version of the Double Barrel Green System. Astec claims that the machine is a breakthrough in terms of warm mix asphalt using foamed bitumen, which helps to reduce fuel consumption, while increasing production volumes n
• For more information about ConExpo and details of how to pre-register for the show, go to
