Earthmoving & soil compaction

China’s infrastructure expansion programme is in the process of transforming the country. Meanwhile its construction market is the largest in the world, comprising around 25% of the country’s US$11 trillion economy. However, slowing domestic growth in recent years has encouraged the Chinese Government to invest in key infrastructure projects in a bid to improve the country’s transport connections.

Volvo CE is working on radical new concepts for earthmoving and extraction applications - Guy Woodford reports Volvo CE recently showcased a range of futuristic concepts and innovations from electromobility to intelligent machines and total site solutions at the company’s Xploration Forum in Eskilstuna, Sweden. Hundreds of Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) customers, members of the international press, government representatives and academics were given an exclusive look at a host of ground-breakin

A number of new bulldozer and grader developments are now coming to market - Mike Woof reports Bulldozers and graders are often overlooked as earthmovers, with the focus all too often concentrating on excavators, wheeled loaders and ADTs. However, key manufacturers are rolling out new graders and bulldozers too, which are also benefiting from the latest low emissions engine technology as well as advanced telematics systems and improved cabs with better all-round visibility. Caterpillar’s 26tonne 14M3

HAMM is offering an innovative compaction crushing concept to construction customers - Mike Woof writes HAMM has put its novel crusher drum compactor system in series production. This is based on soil compactor technology, with the key feature being the innovative detachable tools. The idea behind the concept is that a large single drum roller can be used both for crushing and compacting rock. HAMM first unveiled its prototype in 2013 but has been developing and improving the system in a series of trials

LeeBoy is launching a series of new extraction earthmoving and utility machines manufactured at its facility in India. The firm intends to capitalise on the growing demand for construction machinery for the Indian market, as well as providing equipment for export to other developing markets. A key development from the Indian facility is the new blasthole drill rig, which is based on the undercarriage and slewing structure of its 23tonne class excavator. This features a Sandvik DTH unit and is designed for s

Regional contractor Windisch has put five Terex TA300 articulated haulers to work shifting 1.4 million m3 of earth on the A5 motorway extension in Austria. The five 28tonne capacity TA300s have been selected by local contractor Windisch to take part in the expansion of the North Autobahn (A5) which will form a modern highway between Vienna in Austria and Brno in the Czech Republic. Austrian distributor Mlecka Construction, just outside of Vienna in Oeynhausen, supplied the vehicles that work 12-hour s

The structural condition of bridges in South Australia is now being analysed following concerns over their integrity. The authorities in South Australia have hired the consulting company Aurecon to conduct a comprehensive study of 1,500 bridges located across the state. This follows after a 1.6km section of road in Adelaide had to be partly closed to traffic due to potential defects being detected in a bridge carrying trams over the road stretch. The five day closure of the road section caused major traffic

Sandvik’s improved Commando DC130Ri drilling rig is said to be more productive and more rugged than the version it replaces. This rubber-tyred, compact top hammer drill includes upgraded features developed through customer feedback. Versatile and highly productive, the rig is said to feature sophistication and mobility. The machine has a modular design and a new RD106 rock drill, as well as a sophisticated control system. The fully remote-controlled, hydraulic and self-propelled rig runs on a four-wheel

Leica Geosystems is now offering a sophisticated machine control tool for use with compaction equipment. The firm’s advanced iCON roller package is said to offer contractors an effective solution that can deliver constant and effective compaction on any site. The new iCON roller has on-screen visualisation to show the user where completed passes have occurred and where more are needed for consistent results. Colour coding helps avoid costly reworking as pass count progress is constantly tracked. The unit

Peri’s Variokit heavy-duty truss girder system has been designed specifically for tunnel and bridge construction to reach those hard-to-get places. The heavy-duty truss girder complements the Variokit heavy-duty shoring tower. Peri took into account the load-bearing capacity of the tower as well as the challenging requirements of everyday construction work.