As promised in our last issue, CPN’s Nick Johnson brings you a second instalment on what was new and eye-catching at Hillhead.
Hillhead 2024 is over for another year, but there is no denying that the biennial quarrying industry extravaganza once again delivered its trademark combination of exciting new product/service launches, countless technological innovations, and more live plant/equipment demonstrations than ever, say the organisers.
Simply put Hillhead 2024 was the most visited edition ever in terms of the volume of visits over the three days, with visitors spending more time at the show than ever before and a record number attending for more than one day. In total there were a staggering 26,626 visits over the three days – marking an 8% increase over the 2022 edition.
In terms of unique visitors, with 19,577 attendees from 67 countries (+6.2% compared with 2022) this year’s edition had the second highest ever number of trade visitors (only 2018 was higher at 19,753, although that show had less volume over the three days). Hillhead 2024 also recorded the event’s busiest ever show day in its 42-year history, with almost 10,800 visitors attending on day two.
Here’s our take on what was on offer.
JCB
Making a welcome return to the Hillhead show this year, JCB displayed an interesting array of new and updated products. Particularly prominent was one of the company’s two newly improved rotary telehandlers.
Complete with increased capacity, new styling, a better display screen and a standard Vision Pack (with side and rear cameras), the new 558-260R PRO on show provides a maximum lift heigh of 26.0m and a maximum lift capacity of 5,800g (an increase of 300kg on the previous 555 series machine). There is also a new 21.0m lift 558-210R PRO rotary telehandler.
On the excavator front, JCB was highlighting its recently introduced 37 tonne class 370X tracked excavator and, at Hillhead 2024, the company launched a brand new 145XR. This reduced tailswing X Series model weighs in at 15-18 tonnes and is powered by an 81kW JCB Stage V compliant Dieselmax engine.
Hillhead visitors could also see how JCB’s hydrogen powered machine programme is developing. On show was the latest pre-production hydrogen backhoe loader and a G60RS H genset powered by a JCB hydrogen combustion engine
LiuGong
Particular emphasis was being given by this prominent Chinese construction equipment maker on its green coloured electric machines at Hillhead. Brand new for the show was the 820TE 100% electric wheel loader which has an operating weight of 6,600kg and a standard bucket capacity of 1.2m3. This compact machine has an LFP battery with a rated storage capacity of 70.5kWh.
LiuGong’s larger 870HE electric wheel loader weighs 24,200kg and has a standard 4.7m3 bucket. Its LFP battery has a 423kWh rated storage capacity.
The new 24.1 tonne 922FE electric tracked excavator has an electric motor which delivers 140kW of power. Equipped with 430kW battery, it is claimed that this machine can work a full 8 -10 hour shift before needing to be recharged.
Another most interesting LiuGong exhibit was the diesel engined 9017F RC – a concept remote controlled small tracked mini without an operator’s compartment. Fitted with a LGB45 hydraulic breaker for the show, this machine is based on the company’s conventional 1.7 tonne mini excavator.
Develon
A particular highlight on the Develon stand was the new DD130-7 bulldozer which has been designed to provide very good visibility. This machine weighs 15,300 kg and is fitted with a 117 kW Perkins 1204J engine.
The DD130-7 can be fitted with 560mm, 710mm or 760mm wide track shoes. There are three angling blade options and a three-tooth parallel ripper can be fitted at the rear. A telematics system is a standard feature.
Sany
Whilst Sany was highlighting its larger SY500H and SY390H tracked excavators at Hillhead, visitors could also see how this very large Chinese construction equipment maker is intent on scoring here with other machine types. Prominent with its fully extended boom was the largest of the company’s recently introduced European style, low boom telehandlers – the 4,000kg maximum capacity
STH1840 with a maximum lift height of 18.0m.
Sany is also adding vibrating rollers to its UK product offering and there was a STR50C-8K lightweight tandem on its own stand and a self-propelled SSR130C-10H roller (weighing 13 tonnes) on the Clee Hill stand.
The STR50C-8K weighs 4,500kg, has a drum width of 1,380mm and is powered by a 36kW Kubota D2607 diesel engine. Smaller tandem rollers with drum widths of 1,000mm and 1,200mm are scheduled to be launched here next year.
Sany also showed what it claims to be the world’s first small battery powered planer. The prototype SCM500E-10 planer weighs 6,300kg, has a milling width of 500mm and a maximum milling speed of 33 m/min. The unit will shortly be trialled in the UK.
Bobcat
Following last year’s rebranding of Doosan Portable Power machines to carry the Bobcat name, a new Bobcat liveried PA12.7V portable compressor appeared at Hillhead. This is a 250cfm class compressor is fitted with an HDI D24 engine rated at 54.7kW.
The single axle PA12.7V towed compressor is equipped with FlexAir technology which allows it to operate in the pressure range of 5.5 to 12.1 bar and offer free air deliveries from 185 to 250cfm. There is the option of either an optional integral high-performance 6 or 8.5 kVA integral generator which can supply electrical power without reducing air output. Other options include an aftercooler, lubricator and spark arrestor.
Case
New machines from Case at Hillhead included the 651G Evolution wheel loader and the second version of the 21 tonne class CX210E-S crawler excavator. With a standard bucket capacity of 2.3m3, the 651G Evolution is powered by a 6.7-litre FPT Industrial diesel engine. The CX210E-S is around 500kg heavier than the standard CX210E, due to the heavy-duty build of its front-end equipment, lower structure and undercarriage.
On the compact plant front, new Case models on show included the 12ev electric compact wheel loader and the TL100 mini tracked loader. Powered by a 23 kWh cobalt-free lithium-ion battery, the 12ev has a standard bucket capacity of 0.5m3.
The ‘stand on the back’ TL100 weighs 1,640kg and is powered by an 18.5kW Kubota D1305-E4B diesel engine. Operating capacity is 500kg on wide tracks.
HD Hyundai
Hillhead was used by HD Hyundai for the UK launch of two heavy crawler excavator models – the 100 tonne H1000A and the 80 tonne HA800A – and its largest wheel loader – the HL985A. Weighing 35 tonnes, the Cummins engined HL985A loader is designed to work with a 7m3 capacity bucket.
Both the big excavators have Perkins engines. The HX800A L uses the six-cylinder Perkins 2506J providing 400kW and the larger HX1000A L is powered by the 460kW Perkins 2806J.
Bomag
With a unmissable NEW sign in front of it, the latest Bomag BMP8500 trench roller was at Hillhead 2024. Now powered by a 14.5kW Kubota D1005 engine under a restyled bonnet, this articulated padfoot roller has an operating weight of 1,595kg and its drum width is 610mm or 850mm (with extensions).
New features include an integral amber warning beacon, a strengthened centre joint with a bigger diameter pin and a new radio remote control unit. This control unit works all rollers of the same type and has two batteries. It is possible to recharge one using the roller’s integral charger whilst operating the machine with the other. Total run time of both batteries is said to be 35 to 40 hours.
Merlo
The Italian machinery specialist displayed its 12 tonne, 10m reach P120.10, which comes with CVT transmission, its advanced stability control system (ASCS), attachment recognition safety system, large in cab LCD display screen and flow-sharing hydraulics fitted as standard. The ASCS ensures a high level of safety, checking the operating parameters of the handler in real time to improve its stability. This heavy-duty panoramic handler is equipped with 160 l/min hydraulic flow.
Probably best known, in the world of construction, is the Merlo Roto for positioning loads in a radius of up to 360o. At Hillhead, Merlo showed the ROTO50.30PLUS, with stage V 170 hp engine, five tonne capacity and reach of up to 30m. S PLUS models have dual hydraulic pumps, a tilting cab and automatic management of the multi position stabilisers as standard.
