Products

Giant reports that it has ramped up production of its first skid steer loader at its new European facility in Oisterwijk, the Netherlands. The first machines have been delivered to dealers in Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Denmark and the United Kingdom. Giant skid steer loaders combine a low weight - 750kg - and compact size with a high tractive force and tipping load. This makes the machines extremely flexible and suitable to use for different areas of application. The machine is ideal for ro

Volvo Construction Equipment’s latest H-Series wheeled loaders give a high performance in heavy-duty operations. All the machines - L150H, L180H, L180H HL (High-Lift), L220H and L250H - are equipped with Volvo’s OptiShift technology. Volvo says this eliminates power loss in the torque converter and reduces fuel consumption by up to 18%. Combined with Volvo CE’s patented Reverse By Braking (RBB) technology, OptiShift boosts productivity and efficiency in all applications. RBB is ideal for short cycl

Atlas Copco’s new SmartROC D60, a heavy-duty surface drill rig, is robust enough and smart enough to tackle aggregate and limestone quarrying. SmartROC D60, a highly versatile Down-The-Hole rig is designed for drilling 110-178mm holes. It also has a high level of automation for optimum efficiency and consistent productivity, according to Atlas Copco. The rig’s hole navigation and auto-positioning systems ensure that the rig locates the exact position of each hole and then accurately collars and drill

A new solution from Schreiner Services allows RFID transponders integrated into Provlies geotextile products to be scanned and identified. The novel geotextile material can be used to repair into cracked roads, where it delays future damage due to its elasticity. Every 100m an RFID transponder records data relating to traffic count or road condition. Schreiner Services has developed a mobile solution for the Provlies geotextile that enables the readout of the recorded data at speeds of up to 60km/h.

ORAFOL says that it is developing innovative, high conspicuity films for the traffic control market. The latest introduction is a prismatic reflective translucent film. This can be used for internally illuminated signs and traffic bollards or airfield taxiway signs to provide a high level of diffuse light transmission from internal sources. The firm says that the product also offers a powerful reflective backup in case of light system failure. The product is called ORALITE 6910T Brilliant Grade Trans

Colas and wireless systems technology specialist Iknaia have developed a sophisticated system that allows the real-time active management of diversion routes without recourse to ANPR technology. The Airscan package uses anonymous Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals transmitted by visible devices in passing vehicles. Data is collected by sensors and relayed to variable messaging signs (VMS) which then advise road users in advance of potential delays and allow for strategic checks by maintenance teams. As part of

The tough and durable self-righting keep left bollard from Leafield Highways features patented new manufacturing technology. The economical, one piece bollard is said to offer improved performance over previous bollard types. The Night Owl bollard is a surface-mounted, one-piece unit that is rotationally moulded in a single operation. The neck is made from a durable reflex material that provides the bounce-back capabilities of the bollard. The body is moulded from a high rigidity polymer that provid

German contractor König Bau has been using a new Sennebogen 643 telescopic crane for its bridge building projects. With a 30m boom, the machine places formwork units and structural elements with precision. König Bau is headquartered in Kesselsdorf, Saxony and specialises in structural engineering and special civil engineering. The company has been relying on its Sennebogen telescopic crawler crane for a range of hoisting and loading tasks required at various construction sites since September 2015. The m

Combisafe is now offering systemised alternatives to traditional edge protection methods. These are of major benefit according to the firm as they can help safety managers in the construction sector protect workers more effectively. One of the new product innovations being launched is the new lightweight Steel Mesh Barrier Mark III. The 2.6m barrier system, which weighs 15.7kg, is fully compliant with temporary edge protection standard EN13374, classes A, B and C. As such, it meets a growing demand in t

Based on customer demand for new, extreme duty hydraulic breakers, Rammer is launching two new PRO hammers. The Rammer 2577 PRO and Rammer 5011 PRO are said to be innovative and tough.

Chicago Pneumatic is expanding its compaction equipment range with the launch of a lightweight, powerful and robust forward plate compactor. The MV58 is said to be easy to operate, manoeuvre and maintain, and offers fast and highly efficient compaction performance in a unit weighing less than 70kg. To help operators save on maintenance jobs, the new forward asphalt plate compactor comes equipped as standard with an integrated, tubeless water distribution system. To optimise water consumption, the MV58 in

Police in the UK stopped a speeding car only to discover the passenger was in the late stages of labour and being driven to hospital by her partner. Before the officers were able to decide what to do next, the woman began to give birth. The officers, having undergone first aid training, assisted. New mother and baby then made the journey together afterwards having come through this emergency unscathed.

Staff at a game reserve in South Africa responded in a rather unconventional manner when they spotted a black rhino in distress. The animal had wandered into a dried up watering hole, but then proved unable to extricate itself from the deep mud. The team from the game reserve brought in a backhoe loader to help the animal. The machine was used to dig a way through the soft ground to the rhino, which was then able to scramble free, although it did try to headbutt the digger bucket when it came close. Other o

An Australian man has reason to regret his enthusiasm for the performance of his own vehicle. The man was planning to sell his high-performance Lamborghini and took a prospective purchaser out for a test drive. However, the owner became over-enthused with the car’s capabilities, which were clearly greater than his own. He lost control on a bend and slammed the car sideways into a tree, causing severe damage to the vehicle. Luckily the car’s protection system ensured that the owner and his passenger suffered

A number of cyclists racing in Europe had a rather surprising entrant in their midst recently. As the riders pedalled hard along one stretch of road, they were temporarily joined by an army tank driving alongside at the same speed. The cyclists turned a corner and the tank meanwhile carried straight on. No doubt the cyclists were pleased to see the back of the large, heavily armed and armoured metal beast as it disappeared into a forest in a cloud of dust. Meanwhile in the UK city of Norwich, the Tour of Br