On the Cover: To meet the needs of the local 20-t excavator market – which is currently driven by ‘budget’ oriented offerings – Babcock has launched the new, simplified Volvo EC200D crawler excavator. A competitive price and up to 12% reduction in fuel consumption makes the EC200D a cost-effective solution for general-purpose applications.
The market for 20-t excavators constitutes the bulk of the overall excavator market in South Africa. The outgoing premium Volvo EC210C has been a major force for Babcock in this market segment for many years. However, in recent years, the general-purpose excavator market has evolved, with ‘budget’ type offerings gaining favour. The trend comes on the back of tough trading conditions in the general construction and rental markets.
“Following the arrival of the EC200D, we are phasing out the EC210C, which has served the market well for many years,” explains David Vaughan, MD of Babcock’s equipment division. “The 20-t excavator market is currently driven by simplistic entry level models. We identified the need in the marketplace, and with the EC200D, we are offering our customers a cost-effective solution with which to execute their general-purpose applications, complemented by the premium aftermarket support Babcock is renowned for.”
Volvo simplified the design of the machine, with some of the sophisticated features found on the previous model now available as optional extras. This has significantly driven down the upfront cost of the machine. “We are looking at a substantial price difference compared with the EC210C,” says Vaughan.
Up to the task
A train of Sandvik mobiles is up to the task of crushing high-grade coal destined for export markets at Chilwavhusiku Colliery, a fully black-owned mine based in Bronkhorstspruit. To supplement volumes during the commissioning of a new plant, the colliery sought the services of Casmar Mining, a well-respected name in the contract crushing and screening space. Casmar Mining has been on site since October 2018.
To execute the task at hand, Casmar Mining has deployed its Sandvik QJ341 jaw crusher and QE441 scalping screen. The Sandvik QJ341 is the largest in the Sandvik premium range of tracked jaw crushers, while the QE441 is also the largest heavy duty scalper in Sandvik’s premium range of equipment.
Run of mine (ROM) material is fed into the two-deck QE441 scalping screen. “We are pre-scalping before crushing because the ROM has a lot of fines. Only oversize material reports to the jaw crusher,” explains Deon Engelbrecht, Casmar Mining’s site manager. The first deck of the QE441 screens out -50 mm material, and the bottom deck screens out -25 mm material. The jaw crusher is set on a 50 mm closed side setting, and produces a well-accepted percentage of -50 mm product.
Lifting into developing markets
Manitou group has launched its new Manitou MXT 840 and Gehl TX 408 telehandler models specifically designed for emerging markets. The new solutions are said to respond to user needs in these markets – with special design focus on increased versatility, productivity, safety, reliability, simplicity and, above all, lower total cost of ownership.
Michel Denis, president and CEO of Manitou Group, considers markets such as China, India Australia, Russia, Asia and Africa as strategic. He believes that construction activity in these countries will further drive the telehandler market well into the future. “Telehandler users in developing markets have certain expectations from their machines, and chief among them are simplicity, productivity, safety, reliability and cost efficiency,” says Denis. “With the new Manitou MXT 840 and Gehl TX 408 telehandlers, we have answered these needs.”
The new models will be available at Manitou and Gehl dealerships in the Asian, Middle Eastern and East European markets starting mid-June 2019. However, Steve Ryder, MD Manitou Middle East & Manitou Southern Africa, expects the new machines to arrive in Africa during the fourth quarter of this year.
