Earthmoving & soil compaction

German loader manufacturer Kramer-Werke has revised its products as part of a rebrand programme. The Kramer brand now stands alone, without the addition of allwheel. As part of the rebrand, Kramer has adapted machine names to indicate size classes for its economy 5 Series and premium 8 Series products. For example, 8095T stands for a Series 8 product with a bucket capacity of 0.95m3 and the T stands for tele wheel loader. The new wheeled loader models of the 5 Series, 5075, 5085, 5085T and 5095 with

Close to Larvik in Norway’s Vestfold County and around 80km south of Drammen, two tunnels are currently under construction as part of a state-funded infrastructure development programme. The project, which began earlier this year, comprises 7km of four lane highway – part of the E18 major route – linking the towns of Bommestad and Sky. This includes the new Larvik and Matineå tunnels, which will span 2.8 and 1.3km respectively. Worth €187 million, this project was awarded to Skanska Norway, the second la

There is increased competition in the wheeled loader market on a global basis - Mike Woof writes The wheeled loader segment is one of the most hotly contested in the earthmoving machine market. There is an enormous array of manufacturers competing in this segment, including European, US, Japanese, South Korean and Chinese firms. This last group is of particular note as China represents the biggest single market for wheeled loaders in the world.

Kobelco Construction Machinery is planning to build a new excavator factory in the US. The facility will be located in South Carolina and will become part of the existing US subsidiary, Kobelco Construction Machinery USA (KCMU). With the new facility, the firm’s operations in the US will be reorganised to include production as well as sales. The factory will be built on a 340,000m2 site close to Spartanburg, with production initially focussing on the 20tonne excavator segment and aiming for a capacity of so

The Wirtgen Group has invested heavily in its Hamm compaction equipment business - Mike Woof writes New compaction models and a brand new factory are strong examples of how the Wirtgen Group has been investing heavily in its Hamm road roller operation. Four new compactors are being launched, two each for the soil compaction and asphalt compaction markets. The company is launching the new H5i and H7i single drum soil compactors as well as the DV+70i and DV+90i twin drum asphalt compactors.

Within 24 hours after the 6.5 magnitude earthquake, XCMG was hard at work on site XCMG recently provided a fast emergency response to an earthquake-stricken area of China. The firm’s rescue team rushed to provide help following the 6.5-magnitude earthquake which hit Ludian County in Yunnan Province. Rescuers reported 398 deaths, 1,801 injured, and in excess of 10,000 buildings having collapsed.

Even heavy rain showers on the first day of the bauma China exhibition in Shanghai did not dissuade the crowds packing the outside exhibition areas - Mike Woof writes Those firms exhibiting at bauma China 2014 in Shanghai benefited from a strong show that attracted a record attendance of 191,000, an increase of 6% over the 2012 event. A wide array of new equipment was on show from the 3,104 firms exhibiting, an increase of 14% from 2012. There was a strong focus on technology and new engines required for

Even heavy rain showers on the first day of the bauma China exhibition in Shanghai did not dissuade the crowds packing the outside exhibition areas - Mike Woof writes Those firms exhibiting at bauma China 2014 in Shanghai benefited from a strong show that attracted a record attendance of 191,000, an increase of 6% over the 2012 event. A wide array of new equipment was on show from the 3,104 firms exhibiting, an increase of 14% from 2012. There was a strong focus on technology and new engines required for

Morocco’s massive motorway construction programme will improve transport connections and boost this North African country’s economy - Mike Woof reports A massive road building programme is transforming Morocco, with new motorways connecting cities and major towns, as well as many new rural roads being built. The Moroccan Government has set an impressive plan for its infrastructure investment that will see even the country’s small and remote villages having proper connections to the main road network. The

In Zimbabwe work is being planned for the road connecting the country’s second city Bulawayo with Tsholotsho. This route is of importance as it connects through to the Hwange Game Reserve and also to Victoria Falls, both of which are key tourist destinations within Zimbabwe. The route also connects with Zimbabwe’s border crossing to neighbouring Zambia at Victoria Falls. So far only 50km of this 112km route has been upgraded but the new plans will see the entire route benefiting from major improvements. Wor