Construction Plant News looks at some of the smaller equipment that will be making its debut at Bauma this year.
One of the star turns on the Mecalac stand – quite literally as it happens – will be the Revotruck. Operators of this site dumper can rotate the entire cab at the touch of a button to keep their vision and focus on the job and a view of potential obstacles. In addition, the exclusive chassis with central oscillation ensures stability and traction in all conditions.
Almost one third of transport accidents on construction sites occur on dumpers. This is mainly due to the front load obstructing visibility when driving forward. Alternative products, such as reversible dumpers have attempted to solve this problem for a long time by proposing rotating driving platforms, but these are not without their problems.
Turning the heavy console can be difficult and time consuming. With a rotating console but a fixed cab, all cab elements (mirrors, doors, windscreen) are never at the right position when the platform is rotated. Moreover, access is only possible from one side of the machine and once the platform is facing forward.
Getting the best view without the operator physically having to manoeuvre is now possible with the fully rotating cab of the Revotruck. Unlike existing solutions that offer limited two-way views, the infinite cab positions of this Mecalac solution open up visibility in all directions, allowing maximum awareness of the surroundings, including both workers and machines.
Because the revolution of the cab is possible at the touch of a button, drivers maintain the correct body posture and help protect themselves against back problems. Additionally, the machine automatically adapts its behavior, including driving direction, speed and steering, to the actual position of the cab.
What is described as exceptional stability is achieved through a central linkage between the two parts of the chassis, which offers up 18° of oscillation, ensuring permanent stability and traction in all conditions. The chassis is completed by four equally sized wheels with a switchable steering mode (front steering, all-wheel steering and crab steering) that makes the machine particularly agile in tight spaces.
The expansion of the zero emission portfolio will take centre stage for Wacker Neuson, including the first reversible battery-powered plate – the APU3050e – and the electrification of further product groups. Indeed, the switch to e-machines is now easier than ever with battery-powered rammers, plates, and an internal vibrator system for concrete consolidation all available, not to mention a growing range of electric dumpers, wheel loaders and excavators.
Zero emission solutions from Wacker Neuson are extremely low noise making them ideal for working in noise-sensitive areas – around care facilities, for instance, or on night shifts in an urban site. Without direct exhaust emissions operation in even poorly ventilated surroundings is possible. The machines can be started at the push of a button, are intuitive to operate and powerful. Furthermore, electric motors are low maintenance and extremely efficient, ensuring low operating and energy costs – and offering a wide spectrum of applications.
At the Munich trade fair, visitors can get a first-hand experience as to how easy it is to switch to e-machines. The popular E-wheel loader WL20e is presented at Bauma in the third generation with a powerful lithium-ion rechargeable battery and customers will shortly be able to choose from among three battery versions.
The aforementioned APU3050e is the first battery-powered, reversible vibratory plate with direct drive, with an operating width of 50cm and a centrifugal force of 30kN. Thanks to the lowest design height of any reversible vibratory plate, it is particularly suited to narrow trenches.
The “Meet the Future”, motto that Wacker Neuson’s sister brand, Kramer is carrying at Bauma also reflects a preoccupation with electrification – as well as digitalisation. There will be developments in the Smart Attach fully hydraulic quick hitch system. The future successor to the first 5055e all-wheel steered electric wheel loader will be on show and there will be an electric telehandler on the stand.
The results of an update to the entire Hyundai Construction Equipment mini excavator offering will be on show at Bauma. The manufacturer is launching a comprehensive A Series range of EU Stage V machines with operating weights of 1.7 to 5.5-tonnes. Already having garnered a prestigious Red Dot Design Award for the distinctive ‘Tiger Eye’ design language, there’s also a new colour scheme across the line-up.
The machines also benefit from a new hydraulic system for all models over 4 tonnes, with load-sensing technology and a variable displacement pump for smoother operation. All models have proportional joystick controls as standard, along with quick-coupler piping and safety valves on boom, arm and dozer blade cylinders, whilst a tilting cab on 3.5-5.5 tonne models delivers improved service access. There’s eight new models in total, joining the recently unveiled HX10A Twin Drive micro excavator and the range-topping HX85A.
