BAUMA, the word’s largest construction plant equipment trade fair, returns to Munich on 8-14 April. Many of the world’s largest manufacturers will be showcasing their latest innovations and visitors can expect technology to play a key role, with virtual reality set to bring the construction site into the conference hall. The new bauma PLUS hall will also allow more companies to show off their products and services in a compact space. This year’s event follows a record-breaking bauma 2016, which attracted 3,425 exhibitors from 58 countries, and 583,736 visitors. Organisers say they are on course to top these figures this time around and the site has been expanded to 614,000 sq. m. Here, Project Plant takes a look at some of the standout machines to look out for this year.
Paving the way
ROAD paver manufacturer VÖGELE is poised to premier a number of new machines at bauma this year, including the biggest paver in the company’s product range. The flagship SUPER-3000(i) has an engine output of 354kW and offers a pave width of up to 18m, a laydown rate of 1,800t/h. Also debuting will be the SUPER 1000(i) and 1003(i) compact pavers as well as the SB 300 and 350 fixed-width screeds.
Staying on brand
ECCO Safety Group will be exhibiting this year under the ECCO brand for the first time. The vehicle safety solutions provider has exhibited at bauma over the years under different brands. The company has acquired brands including Britax, Vision Alert, and Premier Hazard and based on ESG’s clear new brand strategy, ECCO is the brand for safety solutions whilst Code 3 is the brand for emergency systems.
90-tonner takes centre stage
HYUNDAI Construction Equipment Europe will have a 2,705m² stand located in bauma’s open-air area, where it will be showcasing a range of machines, with the new 90-tonne HX900 L crawler excavator taking centre stage. Other new kit on show will include the HX10 A mini-excavator; HX85A CR (Stage V) compact excavator; HX220A L (Stage V) crawler excavator; and HL960A (Stage V) wheel loader. The company said it is bringing a number of new technology and service advancements to the exhibition, which will address “key” topics such as fuel efficiency, productivity, safety, convenience, improved uptime and detailed machine management.
Rewrite the rules
CATERPILLAR is looking to ‘rewrite the rules’ at bauma 2019 with its German dealer, Zeppelin Baumaschinen GmbH. The manufacturer’s ‘Rewrite the Rules’ theme and displays aim to emphasise the renewed efficiencies and profitability that equipment users can gain when partnering with Caterpillar. The theme highlights machine choice, connectivity for managing machines and the jobsite, and technology for increasing fuel efficiency. Caterpillar will be displaying 64 machines, 20 of which will be new introductions – the most new products Caterpillar has ever introduced at bauma. The Caterpillar display will occupy more than 9,000m² in the main indoor exhibit in hall B6. Machines on show will include the new D6 XE, the world’s first high-drive electric dozer; the company’s first diesel/electric-drive loader, the 988K XE; and a number of Cat Next Generation excavators.
Terex Trucks goes haul in
TEREX Trucks’ recently updated TA300 articulated hauler is set to make its international trade show debut. Since August 2018, the TA300 has incorporated the new EP320 transmission, which comes with two additional forward gears (eight in total), as well as four reverse gears. In addition to this, the TA300 is said to now deliver a 5% improvement on fuel efficiency and comes with long-life transmission fluid, which has increased the length of time between oil maintenance intervals from 1,000 to 4,000 hours. The hauler’s maximum speed has also increased from 31mph to 34mph. “The TA300 is one of our staple products, hence why we worked long and hard to make it even better for our customers,” said Paul Douglas, managing director of Terex Trucks. “The upgraded TA300 was rigorously tested for nearly two years internally and by operators on real job sites, working in a variety of conditions.” He continued, “bauma is the world’s leading construction machinery trade fair, and as such, it’s a showcase of virtually every machine in the industry – but for Terex Trucks, it’s all about the articulated hauler.”
Not CASE’s first rodeo
CASE will be focusing on heritage and innovation at this year’s bauma, marking the 50th anniversary of its skid steer loader. An original CASE 1530 Uniloader from 1969 is set to take pride of place on the stand. The manufacturer will also be showcasing a CASE Rodeo event with a specially designed game. Operators are incited to take part in the daily competition to show off their skills in the CASE CX145D excavator, with prizes up for grabs. CASE will also be debuting a number of operator-focused advancements, including the reveal of the patented combined steering functionality on the CASE 856C AWD grader, as well as an electro-hydraulic control system for its 321F compact loader. The new hydraulic quick coupler is said to improve visibility, while a new frame for the forks increases the rollback angle, allowing for safer handling of loads.
Doosan debuts
DOOSAN Construction Equipment will be debuting new products including the Stage V DX27z, DX35z, DX62R-3, DX63-3 and DX85R-3 mini-excavators, the DX250WMH-5 25 tonne material handler, the Stage V DX300LC-7 30 tonne excavator, the DX800LC-5B 80 tonne excavator and 30 and 40 tonne class Stage V compliant articulated dump trucks (ADTs). The manufacturer will also be showing off the company’s new DL280-5, DL420CVT-5 and DL580-5 wheel loaders for the first time.
World of discovery
BOASTING the largest construction equipment stand in the northern open-area of the bauma site, Wacker Neuson will be displaying its zero emission range along with a number of other products from its portfolio. The 6,000 sq. m stand has been designed as an “electrifying world of discovery” where visitors will be able to see new machines on display and experience equipment live in action in a demo area. A ‘zero emission boulevard’ runs through the entire stand and features a host of different interactive stations, where visitors will be able to experience a range of battery-powered rammers and vibratory plates as well as electric wheel loaders, electric dumpers and electric mini-excavators.
Volvo goes electric
BAUMA 2019 will be the first major industry event since Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) announced it would be going electric on its Volvo-branded compact excavators and compact wheel loaders in 2020. With this in mind, the manufacturer will be unveiling the first of two hydraulic-electric machines at the event. Volvo CE will be joined at bauma 2019 by sister companies Volvo Penta, Volvo Trucks and Volvo Financial Services. Under the theme of ‘Building Tomorrow’, Volvo’s display will feature a 2,293m² indoor stand in Hall C6 and 5,870m² outdoor stand at FM714 – with 50 machines across the two stands. New excavators that will be launched at the show include the 20t EC200E, alongside the EC15-EC20E compact excavators, as well as the launches of the EC300E hydraulic-hybrid excavator and an EC220E featuring Volvo Active Control automated boom and bucket movements.
Mecalac on a roll
MECALAC will be showing off its new TV1200 tandem vibrating compaction roller in Munich, which has been shortlisted in the design category for the event’s Innovation Award. The TV1200 is driven exclusively with a joystick on the right console. In removing the roller’s steering column, Mecalac claims to have “revolutionised” the access and driving style of this type of machine. The new design is said to free up space for the driver, giving them more freedom to position themselves comfortably. The removal of the steering column is also said to give the driver a clear view of all “major driving information”. Since acquiring its UK base in Coventry in 2017, Mecalac has added backhoe loaders, site dumpers and compaction rollers to its existing ranges of excavator and loaders. Also on show will be the new Mecalac AS 500 Swing loader.
Atlas Copco goes with the flow
ATLAS Copco is set to unveil a range of new sustainable portable air, power and flow equipment, which is described as reducing operational expenditure through enhanced clean drive technology, connectivity and versatility. The company will also be using bauma as a forum to provide companies with guidance about Stage V engine regulations and how its equipment offers a smooth transition towards compliance and beyond. With this in mind, Atlas Copco is launching a free e-guide prior to bauma that outlines what Stage V is, its implications for operators, and how it applies to the current and future design and use of portable compressors, dewatering pumps, light towers and generators. Andrew Walker, president of the Atlas Copco power technique business area commented, “Our forthcoming innovations are powered by the latest advances in lithium-ion batteries, Stage V compatible engines and energy-efficient electric motors – combined with digitalisation and connectivity. By further optimising this equipment through our expertise in drives and controls we are able to provide customers with the solutions required to improve their performance while also supporting efforts to reduce carbon and noise emissions.”
Innovation on show
LIEBHERR will be giving bauma attendees the opportunity to experience its latest innovations first-hand, ranging from construction machines, material handling, mining and components. The company will have a 14,000m² outdoor stand where visitors can see over 60 exhibits. On display will be new innovations and developments in the product categories of tower cranes, mobile and crawler cranes, earthmoving, material handling, deep foundation, concrete technologies and mining. Liebherr will also have a near 450m² showroom floor with a focus on condition monitoring and system solutions, and an attachment tools stand.
CEA flies the flag for Great Britain
THE CEA (Construction Equipment Association) will once again be hosting a UK pavilion at bauma, which will feature 34 exhibitors made up of construction firms and industry suppliers from across the country. First time exhibitors at the CEA UK pavilion include EMJ Plastics, a provider of GRP permanent formwork for the construction of composite concrete decks and Halco Rock Tools, a drilling equipment manufacturer. Also making its debut is IHS Pumps. The manufacturer claims to have developed “unique” all-in-one hydraulic vehicles to mix, pump and deliver concrete on site. Temporary access mat and ground protection solutions supplier TuffTrak is another first-time exhibitor, alongside Veethree, a manufacturer of CANbus HMI displays and gauges.
Bobcat promising ‘electric’ display
BOBCAT is touting an ‘electric’ display at bauma 2019. The manufacturer will be promoting its range of machines, complemented by advanced augmented reality. One of Bobcat’s star attractions will be the launch of the new Bobcat E10e electric mini-excavator, described as the industry’s first commercially available fully electric, zero tail swing (ZTS) mini-excavator in the one tonne class. As well as a full display of Bobcat mini-excavators including several other new models, visitors can see the complete product portfolio from Bobcat with new telehandlers, compact loaders and attachments presented in different application zones including material handling, earthmoving, roadwork, landscaping and demolition.
Genie goes green with next gen platforms
LIFTING specialist Genie is going green this year, with its new generation of work platforms. The company’s 17-product line-up also includes the full range of Genie Xtra Capacity telescopic boom lifts and new Genie Lift Connect Telematics solutions. Simona Martini, Genie marketing director, Terex AWP, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Russia region (EMEAR) explained, “Focusing on cleaner and more versatile solutions adapted to the demands of today’s European construction and maintenance sectors, with e-driven technologies and ‘green’ Genie products, rental and contractor customers will find that they have the productive, emissions-free solutions they need to rise to the challenges of today’s market to tick all the right boxes even in the most demanding calls for tender.”
Kobelco ready for launch
KOBELCO will be launching its largest excavator in Europe this year – the SK850LC-10E. The machine is powered by a Hino engine, which the manufacturer describes as delivering “superior” strength and performance via an uprated specification of 2,120 Nm of torque and 380 kW of power. The SK850LC-10E also features the latest Kobelco hydraulically driven twin-fan engine cooling system. This version prevents over-cooling by use of integrated sensors to reduce the speed of the twin-fan unit, said to increase efficiency and reliability. The conventional machine with standard boom and four arm variations is best suited to general construction and excavation worksites, while an ‘ME’ version with short boom and short arm is available specifically for quarrying. A demolition version is expected to launch in 2020. Kobelco is also relaunching its mini-excavators to meet the new EU Stage V emissions regulations and its new SK75SR-7 and SK85MSR-7 midi-excavator models, which have improved based on feedback from the European market. The manufacturer explained the distance between the upper structure and undercarriage has increased by 20mm in order to reduce damage by rocks. The machines’ blade geometry has been improved, which Kobelco said will make it easier for operation in mountainous areas.
Show and tell
KOMATSU will be showcasing a number of its latest products and technological developments across its 4,000m² indoor stand and 2,600m² outdoor area. The manufacturer’s entire fleet will be represented at the event, including the PC4000 mining excavator and recent HB215LC-3 and HB365NLC-3 hybrid excavators. Komatsu’s intelligent machine control will also be on show both indoors and in the demo area, with several hydraulic excavators and crawler dozers. “The novelties that Komatsu will unveil at bauma 2019 will mark a turning point for owners and operators, and for the entire construction industry,” said Naser Memic Rendon, marketing and communications manager at Komatsu Europe. “Komatsu wishes to generate a lot of interest from visitors and looks forward to this renewal of our commitment to the construction and mining markets.” Visitors to the Komatsu Europe stand will be able to learn about the company’s product support and services such as service agreements, optimal fleet recommendation, Komatsu CARE, KomVision, and the KOMTRAX wireless monitoring system, which is standard on all new machines. Space will also be dedicated to Komatsu Finance and the Komatsu Qualified Used Equipment programme.
A dynamic duo
TOWER crane manufacturer COMANSA will be exhibiting alongside its German dealer BKL Baukran Logistik for the third time. The duo will be found at bauma’s outdoor area, with a space of almost 800m². The booth is at the same location as the 2016 event, where COMANSA and BKL exhibited the 80-metre high 21LC750, the tallest tower crane at buama.
