COMPACT EXCAVATORS: Over the years, Wacker Neuson company has revolutionised the construction industry with its innovative contributions.
A notable example is the introduction of the electric vibratory rammer in 1930, a tool still essential for soil compaction. Another significant milestone was in 1973 with the launch of the first reversible vibratory plate.
Since the 1980s, Wacker Neuson’s compact machine segment has captivated industry experts, demonstrating the impressive versatility and strength of these scaled-down machines.
The introduction of the first hydraulic mini-excavator in 1984 marked a significant innovation, followed by articulated wheel loaders and compact telehandlers in 2005, further establishing Wacker Neuson as a premier supplier of world-class compact machines.
The 175th anniversary celebrations in South Africa, that took place in October, featured a unique mini-excavator Putt-Putt game, showcasing the versatility of these machines in a fun and engaging way.
“Mini and compact excavators are indispensable in South Africa, driving market growth in construction and agriculture with their myriad benefits,” notes Dennis Vietze, Managing Director: Sub-Saharan Africa.
Mini and compact excavators are highly sought after in the rental industry and on construction sites due to their compact size, exceptional manoeuvrability, and versatility.
They are also nearly indispensable on farms. “Our product portfolio includes both conventional and zero-tail configurations, offering models from 1.6 to 7 tons for the local market to ensure adaptability across various applications,” mentions Vietze, discussing the range of excavators sold by Wacker Neuson.
CONDIITON MONITORING: WearCheck is recognised as the pre-eminent condition monitoring services provider, with 16 world-class laboratories in nine countries across the African continent and beyond. Neil Robinson, WearCheck’s managing director, chats to Capital Equipment News about the company.
WearCheck serves as a reliability solutions hub, promoting asset health through various analysis techniques. These include the scientific testing of used oil and other fluids from mechanical and electrical systems, transformer care, asset reliability care (ARC), water analysis, advanced field services, lubricant-enabled reliability (LER) and more.
Condition monitoring is crucial in a wide variety of industries. WearCheck serves clients in many sectors, including mining and earth moving, engineering, construction, renewable energy and power generation, aviation, maritime, agriculture and more.
Depending on the industry and on the component or asset being monitored, WearCheck uses different monitoring techniques. For example, engines or machines with rotating parts, such as a winder, could be assessed using one or more services offered by our Asset Reliability Care (ARC)
division, such as vibration monitoring, thermography, on-line remote monitoring diagnostics, alignment and balancing, or even other specialised techniques such as motion amplification, ODS (operational deflection shape) and resonance tests using transient and impact analysis.
Alternatively, oil-wetted components, such as the inner workings of a gearbox, are best monitored using used oil analysis, which can reveal trace elements in the oil.
This provides important clues about wear patterns. For example, trace elements of chrome or nickel may indicate imminent bearing failure, or tiny amounts of silicon with aluminium could be a sign that dirt is somehow entering the machine.
TRUCK TECHNOLOGY: At the Japan Mobility Show, which took place in Tokyo, Japan this month the Quon GW 6X4 was central to the UD Trucks exhibition.
The Quon GW 6x4 is noted for its power and fuel efficiency, with superior drivability, braking, and comfort – making it easy to see why it has been positioned as the flagship model for UD Trucks.
Achieving overwhelming power and torque delivered from the 13-liter engine, the truck is fuel efficient and easy to drive thanks to ESCOT and UD Active Steering technology. It also boasts a smooth combination of disc brakes and industry-leading auxiliary brakes.
At a launch event for the new 6x4 tractor earlier this year, UD Trucks President Kouji Maruyama said, “As a truck manufacturer, we always put drivers first and try to stay one step ahead in addressing challenges faced by the industry today. We hope that all drivers will find that the new 6x4 Quon is easier to drive and helps reduce fatigue associated with long-haul driving, giving them energy for tomorrow.”
At the Japan Mobility Show Maruyama reiterated the model’s strength.
“It is essential to address the challenges facing our industry such as the long working hours of truck drivers, and the increase in deliveries due to the rapid expansion of e-commerce. To encourage people to enter the logistics industry and thrive.”
ATTACHMENTS: Aquajet Systems AB is a preeminent name in the realm of hydrodemolition in South Africa. Locally the Aqua Cutter 710V hydrodemolition robot, distributed through Total Blasting, offers something unique.
But the 710V’s big brother, the Aquajet 750V has been introduced to the market this year, and it’s time to see how this machine’s range of attachments allows it to be top of the class hile South Africa often must wait for the latest equipment to become available after its launch, the Aquajet Systems AB available locally aren’t by any means dated.
Since launching in 2017 the 710V is thoughtfully equipped with Aquajet’s signature ceramic nozzles which offer an extended lifespan—up to 79 per cent more durable than the typical steel alternatives.
Weighing in at 2,300 kilograms, the Aqua Cutter 710V harnesses the power of water jets ranging from 1,000 to 2,750 bar to remove up to 1 cubic meter of concrete per hour.
Contractors have the flexibility to adjust the robot’s stroke for precise depth control of cuts and can vary the water pressure to suit the task at hand—be it clearing away weakened concrete or reducing robust concrete to a predetermined depth.
JAPAN MOBILITY SHOW: Isuzu Motors Limited and UD Trucks Corporation joined forces to present their first collaborative exhibition at the Japan Mobility Show 2023. Held at Tokyo Big Sight from 28 October to 5 November, the showcase invited visitors into a world where innovation propels the future of transport.
The Isuzu Group, which includes the UD Trucks Corporation, is boldly progressing towards a more sustainable future, with the goal of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The focus is on harmonising transport solutions with environmental stewardship, catering to the varied needs of a society gradually embracing electrification. The joint exhibition at the Japan Mobility Show highlighted the Isuzu Environmental Vision 2050 and a suite of carbon-neutral initiatives, encompassing advanced manufacturing and collaborations in vehicle performance verification. At the show, Isuzu impressed with the unveiling of the world’s first ERGA EV, a fully flat-floor Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) route bus.
The ERGA EV, developed by Isuzu, aims to realise zero carbon emissions. Its flexible layout removes the need for steps at the rear, enabling a fully flat-floor interior. This design allows passengers easy access akin to that of a conventional non-step diesel-engine bus. With all seats readily accessible, the bus’s interior is completely barrier-free. Enhanced by smoother acceleration and deceleration and reduced vibration and noise, the bus maximises passenger safety and comfort, aiming to eliminate onboard accidents, such as falls, entirely.
MATERIALS HANDLING: In an era where efficiency and technological maturity are vital for businesses, South Africa is witnessing a paradigm shift in warehouse management and logistics, powered by vehicle telematics and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). These innovative technologies are not merely adjuncts to the industry but fundamental components reshaping the operational landscape of mega warehouses.
The deployment of vehicle telematics in the material handling sector has revolutionized the oversight of machinery utilisation and operator performance. This technology amalgamates GPS systems with onboard diagnostics, capturing data that drives productivity and catapults businesses into a future-proof state.
Such systems have revealed crucial insights into machine handling, helping to prevent abuse and accidents, common challenges in warehouse environments where the direct oversight of operators was traditionally minimal.
Stephen Mostert, National Technical Manager for CFAO Equipment SA, has seen the impact of telematics first-hand with the ccompany’s Toyota Material Handling’s ISite fleet management system, introduced to the South African market in 2008.
“Forklifts are fitted with data handling units (DHUs), which allow for 24/7 live communication about each machine. This allows managers to see and manage all machines from their desks or cell phones, with automated daily, weekly or monthly reports and warnings that allow them to troubleshoot issues immediately,” says Mostert.
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