Earthmoving & soil compaction

The new Sandvik DE150 is Sandvik's most powerful exploration drill rig for underground exploration, and a surface version is under development and will be ready for market in the fourth quarter of 2009. The DE150 (part of the expanded DE100 range) has a hydraulic feed cylinder designed to a push and pull capacity of 15tonnes (147 kN).

Automated operation is said to boost productivity for Atlas Copco's new ROC F9C SmartRig. This innovative machine allows operators to lay out shot patterns on a computer and can help them follow through with GPS-guided, automated drilling for higher accuracy and speed. Documentation of performance is kept for better planning and accountability and the ROC F9C rock drill can adjust impact power and feed pressure to suit rock conditions, for smoother drilling and reduced stress on the drill string.

In the more down to earth market for crawler excavators, some novel developments are coming to market. Case is upgrading two key mid-weight crawler excavator models.

Manufacturers are rolling out sophisticated machines for the European, North American and Japanese markets - Mike Woof reports. This year has been a pivotal period for the development of advanced, low emission earthmoving machines. During 2011 an array of manufacturers have introduced new models designed to comply with the latest Stage IIIB/Tier 4 Interim emissions regulations introduced for

Independent ready mixed concrete and aggregates supplier Tor Multimix of Glastonbury, UK, has taken delivery of a new Liebherr L 514 PK Stereo wheeled loading shovel.

Century deal for Volvo CE Volvo Construction Equipment sold 100 heavy excavators to mining, highway and real estate company Tang Sunrise Investment during its sales promotion in the Chinese city of Fuquing.

Caterpillar plans to open a new manufacturing facility in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, to produce undercarriage components and track assemblies, which are utilised on Cat hydraulic excavators.

In Russia, the Ministry for Industry established the Gurovo Beton quarry in the Tula region south of Moscow in 1951.

French contractor DSD Démolition was one of three firms that worked on the recent demolition of the A55 highway flyover in Marseilles, France. The 20-year-old flyover stood near the harbour and formed part of a main route through Marseille leading to Lyon and Avignon. However, it was an ugly structure and spoiled the city's landscape so as part of the wider regeneration taking part in Marseille's harbour, the 1.3km bridge had to be demolished within three months. DSD Démolition had two operators for each of

Elliott Equipment is offering a versatile and mobile, crawler-mounted off-road crane and excavating unit. Called the 30105DT, the machine features a maximum capacity of 27tonnes, a telescopic boom that extends to 32m and a 35m tip height.