Make excavators, not tanks!
Published 19/4, 2022 at 09:29Over a month ago, our reality took yet another turn for the worse. After the two year battle with the pandemic, a new fight of a completely different nature is looming. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the political and economic landscape has changed irrevocably. And that affects the demolition industry as well. Big excavator brands like Caterpillar, Hitachi, Komatsu and JCB have already suspended operation in Russia. Others might follow suit shortly. What repercussions for all parties involved would arise from that decision is yet to be seen. In the meantime, PDi’s Andrei Bushmarin reports on the latest news from the demolition excavator segment.
French contractor takes delivery of a Liebherr R 950
Based in Val d’Oise, France, Etude Conseil Démolition (ECD) has expanded its fleet of Liebherr machines with the acquisition of an R 950 demolition model. The 78t machine was used for the demolition of a disused warehouse on the Sofrilog site at Elancourt. Of the machine’s attractive characteristics Etude’s manager Etienne Dadou highlights in particular are modularity, adaptability and high reach capabilities. Using a 5t attachment, the excavator easily performed demolition at a height of 16.5m. The earth moving equipment, including a boom extension and an automatic quick coupler, along with a tiltable cab, make this model even more productive, powerful and versatile. A specialist demolition contractor with a track record spanning nearly three decades, ECD has been a loyal Liebherr customer for many years. The French company values the power, versatility and user friendliness of Liebherr machines and the responsive customer service of its staff.
Doosan adds third model to its high reach demolition range
Doosan Infracore Europe has unveiled the DX380DM-7, the third model in the company’s new high reach demolition excavator range, joining the existing DX235DM and DX530DM models launched previously. Operating from the high visibility, 30o tiltable cab on the DX380DM-7, the driver has an excellent environment particularly suited to high reach demolition applications. The maximum pin height of the demolition boom on the DX380DM-7 is 23m. The DX380DM-7 also retains a hydraulically adjustable undercarriage, which can be extended to a maximum width of 4.37m. The width of the undercarriage can be retracted hydraulically to 2.97m in the narrow width position for transportation purposes. Like all Doosan demolition excavators, standard safety features include a FOGS cab guard, safety valves for the boom, intermediate boom and arm cylinders, and a stability warning system. In common with the other models is a modular boom design and hydraulic lock mechanism that ensure the flexibility of the machine. This innovative design facilitates an easy change between a demolition boom and an earthmoving boom to accomplish different types of work on the same project. The multi boom design also allows the earthmoving boom to be mounted in two different ways, which with the demolition boom, provides further flexibility with a total of three different configurations for the same base machine. A special stand is provided to facilitate the boom changing operation, which is based on quick change hydraulic and mechanical coupler connections. A cylinder based system is used to push the locking pins into place to help complete the procedure. When equipped with the digging boom in the straight configuration, the DX380DM-7 can work to a maximum height of 10.43m.
Hyundai CE rolls out two new Stage V crawlers
Hyundai Construction Equipment is introducing another two EU Stage V compliant ‘A-Series’ crawler excavators with the launch of the HX160A L and the HX180A L. These mid weight machines are powered by the latest Cummins diesel engines, achieving Stage V emissions standards without the need for ‘Exhaust Gas Recirculation’ (EGR). Offering improved fuel consumption, the 16t and 18t models deliver improved operating speed and performance with increased visibility and safety. Improved control of the engine output and the hydraulic system have resulted in increased fuel efficiency, with the excavators achieving a 5% efficiency gain against the previous ‘HX Series’ when levelling and truck loading in ‘P Mode’. By optimising the design of the main control valve and hydraulic hose routing, Hyundai has also minimised energy losses within the system. A new ‘Lifting Mode’ improves fine control and lift capability, reducing engine rpm, activating power boost and offering improved pump flow control. The machines are also offered with an optional ‘Fine Swing Control’ smoothing the movement of the boom at the start and stop of the swing movement. An ‘Auto Safety Lock’ is offered as standard, preventing unintended operation of the hydraulic functions of the excavator.
The HX160A L has an operating weight of 17,455kg-19,050kg, while the HX180A L weighs in at 18,140kg-19,985kg. Both models can be supplied with a range of track pads, from 500mm to 700mm, while the HX180A L can also be equipped with a low ground pressure 800mm wide pad. Customers can choose to equip either model with a full width dozer blade, increasing versatility, while also boosting digging and lifting stability. The standard monoboom length is 5,100mm and there are three dipper arms offered, at 2,200mm, 2,600mm and 3,100mm in length. These provide maximum digging reaches of up to 9,450mm and a maximum digging depth of 6,530mm. Alternatively, customers can choose a factory two piece boom, offering a boom length of 5,100mm with arm lengths of 2,200mm and 2,600mm. Maximum digging reach with the two piece boom is 9,110mm, while maximum digging depth is 5,690mm. A host of options allows full customisation of the excavators, with buyers able to specify Hyundai’s ‘Advanced Around View Monitoring’ (AAVM) camera system for maximum visibility and safety on site. Customers can also choose a mirror view camera, helping the operator to cover visual blind spots to the right of the machine. Operators can specify an optional ‘Level 2 Falling Object Guard’ (FOG) for the cab and there are optional side protectors for the upper structure of the machine for use in tight conditions or within more severe operating conditions. Other options include the provision for a three way valve, for bucket/clamshell operation, an engine air intake pre-cleaner and an engine coolant pre-heater.
Sennebogen supplies five excavators and the world's largest demolition crane to Ferraro Group
Germany based demolition specialist Ferraro Group, ranked number 12 in Europe, has acquired five Sennebogen 830 E demolition excavators along with the world’s largest heavy duty crane ‘6300 HD Demolition’. With this acquisition, Ferraro Group, headquartered in Neunkirchen in the federal state of Saarland, is preparing itself for future challenges: “In order to meet the diverse requirements of our customers, we develop situation specific demolition and disposal concepts for disused structures. That's why we were looking for reliable technology to support us in our challenging projects in the future,” explains Giuseppe Ferraro, who manages the company together with his father and founder Cav. Damiano Ferraro.
One of the five 830 E excavators is currently undergoing its baptism of fire in Deggendorf, Lower Bavaria, where Ferraro Group is demolishing several dilapidated school buildings. This mega project that involves the dismantling and reconstruction of the school centre has been underway since 2015. With an average height of buildings around 16.5m, the job is tailor made for the Sennebogen 830 E, which has a reach of up to 19m. This compact excavator is perfect for selective demolition of building elements including steel structures and assisting in the crushing and pre-sorting of the demolished concrete. The latter was a key selling point for this particular site: around 70% of the demolished concrete is to be crushed onsite and recycled. The excavator’s stability is ensured by the telescopic tracks that can be widened up to 4.5m, with its reach and high load capacity proving to be indispensable. For static considerations, some walls needed to remain standing while the machine pulled out concrete slabs or reinforcing steel from inside the building and then load them transversely to the undercarriage - which was no mean feat.
The 300t HD crawler crane, one of its kind in the world, also offers new opportunities for Ferraro Group. Equipped with a 10t wrecking ball, the 6300 HD is designed to operate at a dizzying height of 118m. When time comes to dismantle buildings of over 50m high, the 6300 HD will be the solution of choice.
Kobelco designs an alpine specific model
Following increased demand for heavy but compact construction machines in Italy, Kobelco Construction Machinery Europe B.V. (KCME) has announced the launch of the SK240SN-11 excavator. The machine benefits from a ‘super narrow’ undercarriage, which offers a number of additional advantages to operators in urban and mountainous regions. The SK240SN-11 builds on the success of the SK240SN-10 model released in 2018. It has been designed with a transport width of 2,540mm and a shoe width of 550mm in order to meet Italy’s strict transportation regulations. The new model is equipped with a powerful Stage-V compliant Hino engine to deliver 124kW output, 143kN digging force (157kN with ‘Power Boost’) and 227kN ‘Drawbar Pulling Force’. Smooth and steady operation while moving heavy objects across the jobsite is also assured through the ‘Independent Travel’ function, which dedicates one hydraulic pump to travel and one to the attachment on a continuous basis.
As the working environment in the mountainous alpine region is particularly harsh, the SK240SN-11’s major components have been strengthened to deliver reliable performance. The machine’s right and left side panels and rear supports are thicker to increase body rigidity, while the increased diameter of the bucket cylinder rod pin contributes to enhanced durability for various attachments. Reinforced ‘HD’ shoes made from thick steel plate are perfect for rough and stony ground, the rear of travel motor cover is reinforced and the hydraulic piping and equipment is protected against damage from rubble and other debris. Commenting on the arrival of the SK240SN-11, Kobelco product manager Wesley Elverding said: “Italy and the surrounding region is currently seeing an increase in infrastructure projects, which means that the demand for heavy equipment has also increased. However, Italian transportation regulations combined with the characteristics of the mountainous region means that conventional equipment is not always the best option. The super narrow SK240SN-11 offers all the benefits of our heavy conventional machines while a super narrow undercarriage makes it a particularly attractive proposition to our customers operating in this area.”
