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Spain-based MTG produces a range of teeth systems for use with excavator and wheeled loader buckets in quarries, construction sites and mines.

The company says the GET Detection Series provides its customers with increased safety by preventing a crusher – for example, being used in a quarry – from being damaged if a GET (ground engagement tool such as excavator bucket teeth) becomes detached.

“Based on extensive laboratory bench testing and field tests, we can state that MTG’s solution detects a possible GET detachment in less than three seconds, with a very high level of reliability, preventing a subsequent fall into the crusher,” the company says.

The system uses visual and sound alerts via the display screen on a tablet in the cab, to alert excavator drivers to any teeth detachments from the bucket.

The GET Detection series includes a suite of devices compatible with MTG’s Terra cast lips, Twinmet and new Veemet tooth systems as well as Promet shrouds. The GET design of these product families enables the addition of sensors and activators to allow digital monitoring of the entire cast lip configuration.  

The signals emitted by the GET sensors are transmitted via antennas and processed by an electronic control unit. A tablet in the machine’s cabin displays the GET’s live status and alerts the operator in the event of an incident.

GET Detection has especially been developed for hydraulic excavators with an operating weight of more than 250tonnes and is so far available in Australia, Europe, and the USA. More markets will follow shortly, and new GET Systems will be compatible with the GET Detection System.

Also new from MTG is the Comet fully hammerless solution for small construction machines. This new tooth system has been especially developed for digging applications of excavators <15tonnes, mini loaders, and backhoe loaders.  

Available in sizes 5, 8, 10 and 15, the new Comet’s features are designed to give users higher productivity, maximum reliability and a longer operational life.

The third new launch from MTG is the Veemet tooth system suitable for wheeled loaders and excavators between 20-150tonnes operating in quarries, construction sites and small mines.

This includes renewable fuel solutions that can address customers’ pain points and give them a competitive edge in the off-highway market.

Collin Krantz, John Deere Power Systems OEM implementation manager, said the company is committed to bringing “the most advanced, affordable and effective renewable fuel solutions” to its customers, so they know the equipment they are using is setting them up for future success.

“Petroleum-based fuels have been the industry standard for years, primarily due to the lack of acceptable, cost-effective and reliable alternatives,” said Krantz.  

“However, with growing interest in sustainable energy, renewable fuels are becoming more widely adopted and readily available. Within the variety of available renewable fuels, we believe biodiesel and renewable diesel fuel will integrate most effectively within the heavy equipment industry.”

The company has made significant progress in testing engine compatibility with renewable diesel fuel such as hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), which is a biofuel made from hydrocracking or hydrogenation of vegetable oil.

Ethanol, a renewable fuel made from corn and other plant materials, is another option of interest. Ethanol is widely used in the industry, with the most common blend being E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline). The use of biofuels such as ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel, said Krantz, has contributed to significant reductions in carbon emissions for existing vehicles in the past decade.

Biodiesel is a renewable, oxygenated fuel made from a variety of agricultural resources such as soybeans or rapeseeds. It contains no petroleum but can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. As a renewable, domestic energy source, biodiesel can help reduce dependence on petroleum imports.

To support this goal of providing differentiated powertrain solutions, John Deere has made an equity investment in ClearFlame Engine Technologies, a growing start-up dedicated to the development of clean engine technology.  

ClearFlame’s solutions enable low-carbon fuels such as ethanol to be easily integrated into compression ignition engines, offering a more sustainable solution without compromising engine performance.

“The John Deere investment is in line with its strategic vision to accelerate and lead the industry in low- and near-zero-carbon powertrain technology,” concluded Krantz.

The company has set out its new strategy toward a more sustainable future, revealing its long-term plan and next steps to transform the group from a power producer to an energy supplier.  

The company says the unveiling of this new strategy comes at a momentous time for the engine industry.

Kohler’s strategy incorporates alternative fuels, electrification and hybridisation to reduce engine size or achieve zero emissions during operation, together with introducing hydrogen as a potential ‘green’ fuel.

The manufacturer recently acquired electric vehicle and hybrid applications company Curtis. Kohler says the acquisition expands and diversifies its product portfolio, leveraging Curtis’ expertise in electrification, and solidifying Kohler’s commitment to hybrid and electrified solutions.

Kohler’s road map toward electrification has 2025 as its first goal. The company says its vision is to develop sustainable and technically sound EV system solutions to increase the performance of internal combustion engines by placing full electric solutions alongside them.

Kohler is updating its K-HEM series hybrid unit for the combined electric and mechanical power solution. The range will move from the booster hybrid version, Kohler’s first hybrid alternative solution design that solves the problem of onerous after-treatment for intermittent cycles, to the versatile-hybrid version, which enables electric-only operation.  

The new P2 option achieves zero-emissions through full-electric operation while keeping the diesel engine ready to step in to add mechanical power when needed or to recharge the battery.

The new hybrid option will be featured in CELA’s new application, the DT40, a ‘spider’ aerial platform with an electric track. The DT40 is already geared to be an electric machine, in that if the battery is fully charged, crawling can be done in electric. Arm movements can also be done in electric, as the hydraulic pump is assembled on the electric machine and the latter can function as either a generator or a motor.

Another cornerstone of Kohler’s strategy is the KSD engine, which has won both the Engine of the Year award from Diesel and the Engine of the Year under 175 hp award at the Diesel Progress Summit. The KSD is in the under-19kW category and features an electronically controlled indirect injection combustion system, as opposed to the standard mechanical indirect injection in this category.  

Kohler says this offers advantages such as high low-end torque – 95Nm at 1000rpm for TC/TCA – and better performance at altitude. The KSD enables a low total cost of ownership due to its optimised fuel consumption, extended service intervals and simplified routine maintenance that requires only two tools.

Vincenzo Perrone, president of Kohler Engines, commented, “Kohler sees the future as a multi-energy landscape, with multiple technological solutions to meet future customer needs and requirements. We will continue to invest in engines and expand their production. We will improve engine efficiency, even in the smallest HP, and develop electronic controls on small engines.  

“We will pursue the development of hydrogen solutions that have the same performance as diesel units, as well as natural gas and biogas engines. We will continue to bring to market hybrid modules.  

“In summary, we are investing in a diversified energy future, in which a wide range of power options and multiple technologies will coexist for many years."

Power for the HA60 machines comes from a Yanmar diesel rated at 110kW, an increase from the 92kW of the Isuzu engine in the previous generation machines. The machines also benefit from sophisticated technology developed by Sumitomo, ensuring high work efficiency and low fuel consumption, while meeting the Stage V emission standards through the use of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system.

The improved heating system features flat-type heating plates. “We modified the design of the heating elements to increase efficiency,” said a spokesperson for the firm. “Before we used a round type, but now we use a flat-type heating element and you get more contact with the ground.” Heating times are also said to be around 50% quicker than before due to the new elements.  

In addition, the heating generator has been changed from a belt drive to a direct motor drive, eliminating the need for daily belt adjustments.

Sumitomo’s innovative STV compaction system (strike-off, tamper, vibration) is said to ensure a high-quality, smooth surface. An automatic tamper speed setting function is now available on the DASH 11 generation machines. The machine retains the proven, novel screed design, which features overlapping hydraulic cylinders and allows wider extension than other machines in its size class. However, the firm says that the rigidity of the screed has been increased to make it stiffer and further boost paving quality. Both the wheeled and tracked variants offer screed widths from 2.3-6m using the hydraulic extension, although bolt-on extensions can be used if a wider setting is required.

The wheeled model now has a slightly shorter hopper, which helps manoeuvrability in tight locations, as well as allowing the machine to be loaded on a truck along with a small twin-drum roller for easy transport. Hopper capacity for the wheeled machine is 12tonnes, compared with 13tonnes for the tracked model.

Crew comfort levels have been improved and the new FRP canopy is raised and lowered hydraulically, while there are also side windshields to provide operator protection in bad weather, as well as LED lighting for night working. Site safety is improved by the installation of a field view monitor (FVM) package that allows the operator to see around the machine.  

A new differential lock option helps to ensure traction when working on soft ground, while the brake steer system that was an option on the previous wheeled model is now a standard feature.

Indeconnect, using the Internet of Things and 4G technology, runs through sensors mounted on the various attachments. The cloud-based web platform is accessible from a mobile app or a PC.

The system allows a machine operator or fleet manager to consult the data transmitted in real time by each installed device, to see information such as hours of work done, working position in space, hydraulic oil temperature, ambient temperature and GPS location.

According to Indeco, an Italian manufacturer of hydraulic breakers, this makes it possible to monitor productivity, control the operation of equipment, increase safety, predict and plan maintenance, and manage rented equipment.

Keogh said that the battery will power the machine for eight hours when laying kerb in a straight line, although he added that this may drop to around six hours when working around curves due to the extra power needed for the steering system. Recharging the 48V DC lithium-ion battery pack takes around 8-10 hours from a conventional 220V supply, although a two-hour fast charger is an optional feature.

The first unit has been equipped with a Topcon machine control package, although Keogh said that customers can order technology from Leica Geosystems or Trimble if they prefer. He said that that the 3D machine control system is just for steering, as the level of the kerb being laid follows the level of the road.

The machine is operated using a radio remote control unit that features GOMACO’s proven G+ control system. Features include rotary-sensored slew drive steering on the front assembly for tight turning, smooth paving and ease of control.

The machine can pour a 610mm radius, has a paving speed of up to 12.2m/min and an auxiliary speed of 28.3m/min for site mobility. Different mold configurations are offered, allowing a 305mm wide by 356mm high section. The mold can be mounted on either side of the machine, while the hopper and mold are adjustable up to 381mm.

Leg elevation is controlled by three hydraulic cylinders, each with a stroke of 254mm as well as an additional 127mm of manual adjustment.

FAE is gearing up for production for the 1,650mm-wide machine, specifically made for skid steer loaders. With its 600mm-wide planing width, it is ideal for municipalities that need to carry out small repaving projects along urban roads. It is also efficient for repairing the hard shoulders of major roads and motorways.

Standard equipment includes a mechanical tilt system of 8°, independent hydraulic skids control and a maximum working depth of 250mm. The RPM/SSL weighs in around 1,170kg.

The new releases from the Canadian firm all run on the immersive Vortex Advantage and the entry-level motion-enabled Vortex Edge Max. Both simulators are deploying CM Labs’ full catalogue of earthmoving and lifting equipment, including the recent release of their boom truck simulation training pack.

In addition, attendees are experiencing CM Labs’ newly expanded excavator simulator training pack, which includes tiltrotator and jackhammer attachments. This training pack integrates with the Trimble Earthworks Grade Control Platform, now available with the dozer and motor grader training solutions.

During operator training sessions, all information is captured by the simulator and pushed to an Instructor Operating Station (IOS). The IOS supports trainers with objective reporting on key metrics related to safety violations and efficiency, which provides valuable insight into the operator’s true capabilities.

This insight is possible due to the high fidelity of CM Labs’ training solutions, powered by the company’s exclusive Smart Training Technology.

Comprised of proprietary and patented algorithms, Smart Training Technology results in training that’s based on real data and real machines, delivering the most transferable operator skills anywhere, outside the real equipment.  

CM Labs’ clients include OETIO, IUOE, Kiewit, Liebherr, Mammoet, Manitowoc, NASA, and over 100 other world-class companies, OEMs, equipment operators, and trades training organisations.

Dubbed Trigenius, the range is a radical redesign of its predecessors. In every weight class, from the light D202 tipper body for 3.5tonne vehicles to the large D428 for four-axle vehicles with an overall weight of 41tonnes, functionality, operation and handling are the same.

The modular design and the increased use of bolted connections facilitate numerous individual adaptations to meet varied customer requirements, meaning numerous options can be retrofitted at a later stage.

All Trigenius three-way tippers are based on a modular system and have a new, uniform operating concept across all series. Ergonomically designed components shorten operating cycles and make for efficient operation and handling, says the company. The design of the Trigenius reduces weight, while the use of high-strength steel increases loading capacity.

Strategic cooperation with all European commercial vehicle manufacturers enables harmonisation between the vehicle chassis and the Meiller superstructure. A close exchange between Meiller and truck manufacturers enables the tipper maker to respond rapidly to new market requirements.

The first full-production, 50m-long, up to 380-plate and 600 t/h machine is set to be snapped up by a Turkish iron ore mining customer. The Italian company says its innovative machine combines the efficiency of two machines into a single product with exceptional performance, offering faster sludge feeding and cake discharge time.

The patented ‘Twin Freccia Rossa’ is said to reduce customers’ operating costs and allows production to continue during maintenance times. Featuring a single conveyor belt, feeding point, silo decanter, supporting structure, homogeniser tank, high-pressure 10-16-21-30-bar technology, a protective shell for the oleodynamic unit and piston, and four-point cloth washing, the cutting-edge filter press can be equipped with 25 to 50mm standard or membrane plates.

“All our customers are asking us for two filter presses in one machine,” said Matec Industries CEO, Matteo Goich. “We started work on Twin Freccia Rossa around a year ago and the customer who will operate the first full-sized version of this new filter press already has one of our washing plants and six of our filter presses.”

The system, which is still in development, visualises formwork and scaffolding projects in 3D and takes the industry to the next level, says Peri. It optimises communication, safety, and efficiency on the construction site.

Ono-site workers, using an app on their phone or tablet, request information from another employee sitting in a central office where they have access to assembly knowledge.  

The onsite workers the pan their tablet’s camera around on site, in the area where the formwork will be assembled.  

Meanwhile, the office worker, seeing this image and wearing their 3D goggles, can assemble the required system. Simultaneously, back on site, the team can see this being done on their screen. They then have all they need to finish the job.

Using augmented and virtual reality, 3D designs can be walked through virtually … or projected into the physical environment. Due to the different visualisation options, the respective models are optimally integrated into the planning and construction process.

Importantly, for clients, the XR Ecosystem allows integration of 3D and BIM models (building information modelling) in the planning and construction process, thanks to different visualisation options.

Peri also points out that the system could be especially useful in remote areas where in-person assistance is not immediately available. It also could be used to train people.

Benninghoven offers a variety of innovative solutions for increasing sustainability in asphalt production. Considering the entire road construction process from material acquisition and asphalt production to building the roads, companies can save up to 54 % CO2 with these technologies. *

*(Annual production of 100,000 t asphalt, 60 % added recycling material, carbon-neutral fuel)

The intelligent Benninghoven solutions include the re-use of asphalt, the correct storage of virgin mineral and recycling material, the use of temperature-reduced asphalt, the electrification of bitumen tanks and the use of renewable energies, i.e. the fuels of the future.

Energy-efficient working while protecting resources

Sustainable operations and reduced climate-damaging emissions are the current challenges for counteracting climate change. The 2015 Paris Climate Accords, for example, require greenhouse emissions to be halved by 2030 and eliminated completely by 2050. Despite being a relatively small sector, the asphalt industry can make an important contribution to this, because asphalt production offers great potentials for reducing emissions such as CO2 and Ctot (total carbon).

One of the control instruments for owners of mixing plants is the taxation of emitted CO2 and emissions trading, the costs of which will increase worldwide in the years to come. The less greenhouse gases are emitted by asphalt mixing plants, the more costs can be saved. Benninghoven supports plant owners with a variety of different solutions.

Module 1: reusing asphalt

Benninghoven has decades of experience with recycling reclaimed asphalt. But reusing the material is not only sustainable: The material removed by milling the asphalt during road resurfacing is also significantly cheaper than virgin mineral from a quarry. In addition to this, reclaimed asphalt already contains bitumen, which is also reused and therefore saves on the most expensive ingredient in asphalt production.

Benninghoven offers different cold and hot recycling feed systems for this, including the Benninghoven hot-gas generator – the leading recycling technology. It allows up to 100 % recycling material to be added, with low emissions. The Benninghoven REVOC system is a patented innovation that will be presented by Benninghoven at the Bauma 2022 exhibition for the first time. The new retrofit solution is a supplement for existing asphalt mixing plants equipped with one or more recycling systems and it significantly reduces the total carbon concentrations in the exhaust gas. This also makes REVOC an important contribution to securing the future the plant site.

Module 2: storing virgin mineral and recycling material correctly

Keeping the stored virgin mineral and recycling material as dry as possible is an important factor for an energy-efficient mixing process – and therefore for lower emissions such as CO2. The following applies here: 1 % more moisture in the starting material correspond to a litre of additional heating oil or an energy equivalent for each ton of asphaltic mixture. This is one of the reasons why the German TA-Luft regulation now requires covered storage of these materials.

Module 3: producing reduced-temperature asphalt

The drying and heating processes for virgin mineral and recycling material are particularly energy-intensive in asphalt production. Fuel and emissions can be saved if authorities and owners use reduced-temperature asphalt types. This refers to asphaltic mixtures with a final temperature of around 120 °C. This equates to a 30 % reduction in contrast to conventional mixtures, which usually require a temperature of around 160 °C. The savings potential for energy and CO2 is much greater, though: 18,000 kWh and 6,000 kg CO2 are saved during the production of 2,000 t of asphalt – every day.

Benninghoven asphalt mixing plants can produce high-quality reduced-temperature asphalt in a reliable process. One important technology for this is a foam bitumen module, which Benninghoven also offers as a retrofit solution (plug & work). Foam bitumen is interesting because this binder requires only one auxiliary material for producing reduced-temperature asphalt: water, which is already available at any asphalt mixing plant anyway. Mixing hot bitumen with water multiplies the volume many times, which is why this process is also referred to as “foaming” the bitumen. The released surface energy ensures that the binder moistens the mineral very well during the mixing process even at low temperatures, temporarily generating installation properties that are comparable to those of hot asphalt.

Module 4: electrifying bitumen tanks

For storing the hot bitumen – one of the most important asphalt ingredients – Benninghoven offers bitumen tanks with different capacities. These come with one or multiple chambers and can additionally be equipped with an agitator or a mixing nozzle.

The electrification results in zero local emissions – in contrast to tanks heated with thermal oil. This ensures CO2-neutral bitumen storage in the overall balance. In addition to this, electrically heated tanks are not regulated by environmental authorities and there are no environmental restrictions.

Module 5: using renewable energies

More sustainability in asphalt production means moving away from fossil fuels such as coal and oil. Benninghoven already offers the EVO JET burners which use the fuels of the future. These fuels are made from renewable raw materials and have a neutral CO2 balance. They include biomass to liquid fuels (BtL) and wood dust. Even the complex process of burning wood dust results in a smooth flame pattern – the prerequisite for reliable operation of the plant. Benninghoven sets new standards for burner technology with its innovative solutions.  

The Benninghoven technology can also be used for modern fossil, gaseous fuels such as liquid gas or natural gas. Changing from coal dust to natural gas or liquid gas already halves CO2 emissions.

In addition to this, the Benninghoven development engineers continue to work on the sustainable and economical use of other fuel types. Using hydrogen, for example, could be an option for overcoming the challenges of the future.

Content produced in association with Benninghoven

This is made possible by the inclusion of a laser scanning device on the machine, which allows the operator to take measurements of the tunnel before and after application, thus providing data about the average thickness of the layer of sprayed concrete being applied.

Davide Cipolla, CIFA’s CEO, explained that the new underground range is inspired by nature, which is why the models are named after animals with similar physical or behavioural characteristics. ‘Inspired by nature’, he says, refers to more than just the names of machines, it also describes the company’s goals and aspirations when designing the range.

“We aim to make these CIFA machines as eco-friendly as possible, respectful of the environment and people, and able to transform the notoriously unhealthy underground construction site into a sustainable eco-system,” he said.

Manufacturers of tunnelling machinery, he added, need to work together to create a sustainable construction site in what is a challenging environment – an enclosed space with poor ventilation.

“We need to design intelligent machines, harnessing data to increase efficiency, using electricity to cut emissions and technology to simplify the work of operators.  

“The first step towards a sustainable business model is to create intelligent machines, designed to optimise the consumption of resources. This forms part of a holistic approach that examines the overall impact of every operation, and not just the performance of the individual machine.  

All the data collected by Mamba can be used in the future to determine where to spray concrete and how much to apply at a time, creating a digital model of the tunnel in line with the Building Information Modelling (BIM) method.

In addition to Mamba, the range consists of several other shotcrete models (Elk, Dingo, Rhino and Mantis) and concrete mixers (Coguaro and Myria), in varying sizes and with different features in line with their applications. All the models can be customised to meet the needs of particular projects.

The Trimble Groundworks package is a 3D machine control system said to improve efficiency and reduce downtime with stakeless navigation, productivity and quality monitoring, and office-to-field connectivity.

The integration of Trimble software in the office and Trimble Groundworks in the field can increase the efficiency and productivity of piling operations, wirelessly syncing data to reduce site visits and provide a single data source.

Trimble Groundworks allows operators to create an in-field design for piling and create piling reports. To reduce blind spots, administrators can set avoidance zones in the design file. With stakeless workflows, Trimble Groundworks is said to reduce the need for surveyors to be near the machine, making job sites safer.

For an ABI Mobilram-System or DELMAG drill rig, the option to install a Trimble Groundworks base kit provides mounting hardware, brackets and an integrated wiring harness. Having the system installed in the factory can reduce cost and complexity for the customer.

"Trimble enables our customers to map the entire construction process from planning to quality management. On construction sites, for example, the pile grid does not have to be measured in place," said Tobias Schmidt, head of control engineering electrics at ABI.  

"A significant advantage of the Trimble Ready solution is the direct communication with the ABI control system, so that the sensor technology available on the machines can be integrated. The necessary mounting options on the machine are already prepared. This significantly reduces the costs required to equip a system from Trimble."

For the Junttan piling equipment, the technology is said to allow more efficient and safer working, along with stakeless workflows and 3D machine control. The system helps optimise productivity by allowing operations during the day or night. The 2D or 3D guidance technology allows accurate piling depth and direction, reducing driving time for each pile, cutting fuel consumption.

"Junttan strongly believes in the benefits of digitalisation in the piling construction field," said Karoliina Pesola, head of digital and measuring solutions, Junttan. "Trimble Groundworks connected to Junttan's machine control system PCD will provide a new dimension to our customers' piling experience."

The goal of the next-generation sheet piling solution is to enable preventative maintenance and extended project lifetime. The solution will be a game-changer for critical infrastructure and construction projects, such as quay walls, bridges or flood protection walls, the company says.

It says the solution makes infrastructure installations safer and more cost-effective. With this technology, sensors built into the sheet pile collect high quality and precise data that can be analysed and used for informed decision making.

Relevant information on the structural condition of the sheet pile wall – for example, regarding corrosion, deformation or inclination – can be displayed on online monitoring dashboards or even fed into the asset’s digital twin. The SmartSheetPile is able to identify accidental or weather-related damage and sound an alarm in the event of a critical incident. Potential flooding could be prevented, for example.

“Monitoring infrastructure in real time will enable early warning of potential failure risks so that preventative measures can be taken,” said Tapas Rajderkar, chief marketing officer at ArcelorMittal Europe – Long Products. “This reduces maintenance costs, prevents failures and increases the life of the structure.

“We already offer such tailor-made solutions today. Beyond that we are developing SmartSheetPile further for a standardised industrial launch in the next few years,” added Rajderkar.

In addition, data collected provides insights for designers, which can be used in the development of new optimised models – with potential positive effects on material consumption and carbon footprint.

As a hybrid variant, RM says the machine can be operated electrically to notch up zero emissions. It adds that the screen delivers impressive modularity and versatility.

“It’s a whole new conception of doing a scalper,” said Gerald Hanisch, founder and CEO of the Austrian-headquartered RM Group. “It is not only electrified, it has all kinds of features – the mobility, the versatility, the simplicity and the energy.”

RM says that both the RM5H50X hybrid screen and the RM J110 jaw crusher – which will make its debut at Conexpo in March 2023 – have incorporated countless ideas and customer requests to redefine the application options of processing equipment.

RM says the use of a hybrid machine brings a 25% reduction in fuel costs compared to a diesel-direct crusher or a hydraulic screen, while combining them into one machine train increases the savings even further.

It adds that, when a diesel-direct crusher drives the new RM hybrid screen, the customer saves up to 33% on fuel. In combination with an RM hybrid crusher, which drives the RM hybrid screen, the savings potential reaches up to 50%.  

In addition, if only one engine is running because the crusher is driving the screen, the customer only has to refuel and service one engine, effectively saving fuel, time and money.

Hanisch added: “We have been electrifying our plants for decades, and consequently have the necessary know-how. Now the time is ripe for us to fulfil the needs of customers with our product-ready solutions. The lowest possible fuel consumption and smallest carbon footprint are the order of the day for our customers to be successful.”