“After more than two years of pandemic, we were particularly looking forward to bauma,” says Alexander Greschner, chief sales officer of the Wacker Neuson Group.

The complete zero emissions package

Visitors to the ‘Meet Green’ section of the stand were able to find out about the zero emission offering, which was expanded at bauma to include a number of machines and services. “With our zero emission portfolio, an entire inner city construction site can now be operated with no local emissions,” explains Alexander Greschner. Amongst the latest developments in this section was the new TH412e electric telehandler, the RD28e electric roller, a charging box for mobile power supply, and the very compact DT05e dumper. ‘Battery One’ was also presented, a standardised and user friendly battery system that focuses on carbon free and sustainable use of construction equipment. The battery can be used in construction equipment from other manufacturers.

Another highlight was the reversible battery plate APU3050e with the ‘DireX’ direct drive which ensures efficiency and longer runtimes. In addition, the third generation of the WL20e e-wheel loader with a lithium ion battery was unveiled. Kramer also showed innovations in the zero emission sector including the 5065e electric wheel loader and the 1445e E-telescopic handler.

Practical solutions

In the ‘Meet Innovation’ area, the very latest developments were shown. One highlight was the Wacker Neuson EW100 wheeled excavator. This has been designed with a focus on safety thanks to its excellent sightlines and stability. The 10t excavator is said to be equipped with powerful drive hydraulics and high basic working capacity enabling it to perform tasks that would otherwise require a 14t excavator.  Another innovation was the ‘Dual View Dumper’ DV45, the smallest Dual View model. The electro hydraulically rotatable cab can now be rotated 180o forwards and backwards and 90o to the side at the touch of a button. In this ‘Multi View’ mode, the DV45 can also be driven with the cab turned sideways. Wacker Neuson also showcased other developments including the 20kg BH40 gasoline breaker.

Kramer presented its full range of all wheel steering wheel loaders and telescopic loaders and, as a highlight, the fully hydraulic ‘Smart Attach’ system. With this, attachments with hydraulic auxiliary functions, such as a sweeper or folding bucket, can be coupled and uncoupled in seconds without the operator having to leave the cab. Operation of the system remains simple and is carried out via the joystick directly from the cab. Kramer states that the system enables existing attachments to be used thanks to the consistent dimensions of the quick change plate. The attachments also fit corresponding Kramer wheel loaders in the existing portfolio. In addition, the Kramer telescopic loader series for payloads between 3t to 5.5t received a facelift for bauma.

Benefits through digitalisation

Visitors learned how digital solutions bring greater efficiency and transparency to the construction site under the heading ‘Meet Connectivity’. One example was the new assistance system for concrete consolidation – ‘ConcreTec’. This enables concrete components to be compacted easily and transparently and in high quality in a reproducible manner. Wacker Neuson also presented the cloud based software solution ‘EquipCare Pro’. This enables customers to manage, schedule, and evaluate all telematics based machines, implements, and construction site equipment regardless of manufacturer or brand, thus boosting the productivity of their machine fleet.

Also exhibited was the mixed reality ‘Smart Glasses’ which have already been implemented for real world use in South Africa since the beginning of the year. When a customer needs help, the dealer's service technician, equipped with the Smart Glasses, can connect live with the experts and share the view of the machine or transfer the support screen to the glasses. Digitalisation also plays an important role in the development of machines with the new EW100 wheeled excavator having an intelligent attachment management system that supports the operator during attachment changes.