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Volvo CE sales fall -38%
Volvo Construction Equipment had revenues of SEK 8,18 billion (€ 792 million) in the third quarter of the year, a -38% fall on the same period last year. The division reported an operating loss of SEK 787 million (€ 76 million), compared to a profit of SEK 134 million (€ 13 million) a year ago.
The company saw the steepest downturn in sales - -54% - in its largest market, Europe. Here its revenues for the quarter were SEK 3,08 billion (€ 299 million), compared to SEK 5,84 billion (€ 566 million) for the same period last year. The company also saw a -47% drop in sales in North America, a -26% decline in South America, a -19% decline in Asia, and a massive -66% fall in other markets.
According to its own research, Volvos fall in revenues in Europe was in line with the overall market decline of -54%. In North America it may have gained market share, with a market decline of -50%, compared to the company’s -47% fall in revenues. However, the reverse seems to be true in Asia, where the market fell -11% in the third quarter, compared to Volvo’s -19% revenue drop.
The company said demand for road building equipment suffered the most over the three-month period, with a -53% drop in the global market. This was followed by compact equipment (-43%) and heavy equipment (-39%). Overall, Volvo said the world market for construction equipment was -42% lower in the third quarter of the year than it was a year ago.
Volvo Construction Equipment president & CEO, Olof Persson said, “Tough market conditions continue in the sector, but there are some positive signs indicating that the decline in demand may have bottomed out and that we are now beginning a gradual recovery. But we are not relying on a substantial recovery and will therefore continue to improve efficiency and adjust our costs to current demand. I am confident of improving our market position globally as we are well positioned for the new emission regulations that will soon come into force, with new products and services at the absolute forefront.”
http://www.khl.com/magazines/construction-europe/detail/
John Deere’s Construction Equipment Will Use Engines With EGR Technology to Meet Interim Tier 4 Regs
John Deere will use cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) engines with exhaust filters consisting of a diesel oxidation catalyst/diesel particulate filter in its construction equipment to meet the 2011 Interim Tier 4 (iT4)/Stage III B emissions regulations mandated by the EPA and EU for diesel engines 174 hp and above.
“We’re looking to provide the simplest iT4 solution for equipment users, all while delivering the productivity, uptime and low daily operating costs that customers expect from Deere,” said Joe Mastanduno, product marketing manager, engines and drivetrains, for John Deere Construction & Forestry. “We believe cooled EGR with exhaust filters is the right technology right now.”
Deere’s approach to the iT4 solution builds upon the current clean burning and fuel efficient Tier 3/Stage III A PowerTech Plus engine platform manufactured by John Deere Power Systems.
A Simpler Solution
The John Deere cooled EGR engine platform for iT4 compliance is simpler, more operator friendly and less complex to maintain compared to SCR (selective catalytic reduction) systems.
“Unlike SCR, this IT4 solution doesn’t require liquid urea to achieve emissions compliance, so there are no additional fluids to worry about obtaining, filling or storing on remote jobsites at proper temperatures,” Mastanduno said. “EGR is a single-fluid solution, and that fluid is diesel fuel.”
Field Proven, Fuel Efficient
John Deere was the first manufacturer to widely commercialize off-highway Tier 3/Stage III A cooled EGR diesel engines and has the highest field population of cooled EGR engines currently operating.
Extensive testing in key products featuring these engines, such as the 350D excavator, 700J crawler dozer and the new 772G motor grader, has shown a 10-percent or greater advantage in “material moved per fuel used” over competitors.
“Our field experience has also proven that John Deere cooled EGR engines operate efficiently with traditional low-sulfur diesel diesel fuels as well as B5 to B20 biodiesel blends,” Mastanduno said. “We’ve seen optimal performance with fuel-choice flexibility.”
Total Integration and Support
John Deere designs, manufactures and services the engine, drivetrain, hydraulics, electronic control unit, cooling and other vehicle systems as part of the complete equipment package. This integrated approach maximizes performance, operator convenience and fuel economy, all with an eye toward providing outstanding overall value to customers.
http://www.siteprepmag.com/Articles/Industry_News/BNP_GUID
Exports of Construction Machinery Down 36 Percent According to AEM
U.S. construction machinery exports dropped 36 percent during the first half of 2009, with $6.4 billion shipped to global markets compared to $10.1 billion at midyear 2008, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). The AEM off-road equipment manufacturing trade group consolidates U.S. Commerce Dept. data with other sources into global trend reports for members.
All world regions recorded double-digit declines in construction equipment exports for the first half of 2009, led by Europe and Canada.
· Exports declined 53 percent to Europe for a total $777 million, and dropped 45 percent to Canada for a total $1.8 billion.
· Exports to Asia decreased 30 percent to $939 million.
· Exports to Central America dropped 21 percent to $662 million, with a lesser decline to South America - minus 14 percent for a total $1.2 billion.
· Australia/Oceania’s export purchases decreased 42 percent to $497 million, while Africa took delivery of $528 million worth of construction equipment, a 24-percent drop.
“U.S. exports of construction equipment began to erode in third quarter 2008 with the worsening global recession. We’re an export-intensive industry and the continuing decline is especially detrimental since we’re also experiencing steep cuts in domestic business,” stated Al Cervero, AEM Senior Vice President.
“The U.S government has been using various economic stimulus measures to jump-start the economy. The economic stimulus package has fallen short for construction machinery manufacturers. But, free trade increases exports and stimulates the economy. It helps keep American manufacturers in business, providing American jobs and economic resources to communities, states and the nation.”
AEM urges Congress to pass the free-trade agreements already completed, and to leave NAFTA alone, Cervero noted. “Other nations are joining in free trade agreements with each other, and we are being left behind,” he said.
“We also need to get our roads and bridges and other infrastructure in good condition so we can move goods to market more efficiently. China and many other nations realize the connection and are spending much more on infrastructure than we are – China’s 9 percent of GDP for example compared to 0.93 percent for the U.S. We need to be sure U.S. manufacturers have access to business around the world, as other nations ramp up their infrastructure funding to better compete on a global scale,” Cervero added.
The top 10 countries buying the most U.S.-made construction machinery during the first half of 2009 were: (1) Canada - $1.8 billion, down 45 percent; (2) Mexico - $510 million, down 6 percent; (3) Australia - $473 million, down 43 percent; (4) Chile - $425 million, up 5 percent; (5) South Africa - $231 million, down 38 percent; (6) Belgium - $222 million, down 39 percent; (7) Brazil - $216 million, down 16 percent; (8) China - $210 million, down 6 percent; (9) Peru- $177 million, up 1 percent; (10) Colombia - $168 million, up 27 percent.
India came in at number 16 with $76 million worth of construction equipment purchases, a 33-percent gain compared to midyear 2008. And, number 18 was Russia at $67 million, a drastic decline of 71 percent from the first half of 2008.
http://www.siteprepmag.com/Articles/Industry_News/BNP_GUID
Case launches the 650L to its crawler dozer line
CASE Construction Equipment has launched the 650L to its crawler dozer line, suitable for residential job sites and confined commercial work areas.
According to Case, the new 650L crawler dozer has a lower overall operating height and weight, and superior maintenance features which boost productivity. The lower operating height allows the 650L to work around low overhangs, while its lighter weight is ideal for work in soft soil conditions.
The 650Ls shorter track means easier turning, making it manoeuvrable and its compact size makes it easy to transport from job to job. The 74hp machine is powered by a Tier 3-certified, four-cylinder, 4.5L Case Family IV engine.
Case says the 650L is available in Long Track (LT), Wide Track (WT), and Low Ground Pressure (LGP) configurations to match operating condition. Operating weights on the 650L are 7,370kg on the LT, 7,619 kg on the WT and 7,959kg on the LGP.
In addition to the 650L crawler dozer, Case offers two crawler dozers under 100hp. These include the 84hp 750L and 96hp 850L. Case also offers three crawler dozers above 100hp.
http://www.earthmovingnews.com.au/article/case-launches-the-650l
Caterpillar® Commissions First RM500 Rotary Mixer to North-western Russia
The Federal Highway M-8, connecting Arghangelsk to Vologda in northwestern Russia in the Arghangelskaya oblast, had definitely seen better days. In the 25 years since its original asphalt surface was laid down, M-8 had been periodically overlaid with hot mix asphalt, but had been poorly maintained for over two decades. In addition to a weak aggregate base, the M-8 was now riddled with “halls and cracks.” It had literally “not been touched in the last ten years,” said Dmitry Kuritsyn, currently Road Construction Sales representative for Zeppelin Russland. “That [neglect of maintenance] almost ruined the road’s surface.” This created both a significant challenge and a real opportunity for any contractor willing to take on the project.
Many years prior, officials tell the story of a pioneering contractor who tried to repair a section of the M-8’s deteriorating surface using a cold planer with its discharge conveyor switched off, while at the same time adding milled stones to the planed material. Although the concept was admirable, it was neither efficient, nor completely successful. The new Cat® RM500 Rotary Mixer takes the reclaiming/mixing concept a step further and provides the perfect one-step solution.
Any contractor considering an attempt at the project would require a highly specialized piece of paving equipment; one machine that could easily tackle the unique rehabilitation challenges of the project. With the addition of a Cat RM500 to their fleet, Russian contractor Vologodskaya DSU-I (known for building and rehabilitating roads across northwestern Russia) agreed to rehabilitate the Federal M-8 highway. The project would be ambitious-a 6 m width for a total length of 500 km-stretched out over four years.
Vologodskaya DSU-I placed the order through Russian dealer Zeppelin Russland for a new Cat RM500, with its 457 mm (18 in) universal rotor-designed for asphalt reclamation and soil stabilization-plus a bituminous emulsion and water spray system. Eager to get the project rolling, the firm commissioned the machine to be delivered directly to the jobsite where it was prepared and tested, and the Vologodskaya DSU-I crew received hands on operator training. And thus, the machine could be immediately put to work. Evgeniy Mihailov was one of the contractor’s first operators to climb aboard the newly acquired rotary mixer. Mihailov, who was completely new to Rotary Mixers, was engaged in learning the machine’s functions and operations. Explains Kuritsyn, Mihailov was extremely “interested in understanding all the capabilities the RM500 could perform.”
Upon startup, the RM500 was immediately put through its paces and began the process of reclaiming (”cutting”) the deteriorated surface (a total depth of up to 30 cm) of the M-8 and stabilizing the base aggregate (by mixing in a cement-distributed on top of the surface-and water, sprayed in mixing chamber through water spraying system). The contractor is said to be thoroughly pleased with the productivity and performance of the machine, and Kuritsyn notes that it has become a critical piece of machinery in this important project. “A terrific result is being achieved within the timeframe required.”
With an operating weight of 28145 kg (with ROPS and universal rotor), the Cat® RM500 Rotary Mixer is a powerful, productive and versatile addition to any contractor’s road reclamation and construction fleet. It was designed to deliver superior performance and reliability in even the most demanding job specifications. It works exceptionally well in both full depth reclamation and soil stabilization applications. Three innovative rotor designs (Universal, Soil or Combination) are available, matching the rotor to exact project specifications (one rotor for asphalt reclamation, one for soil stabilization, and a combination rotor handling primarily soil stabilization with light cuts of asphalt reclamation). Rotor designs incorporate mounted in, drive-in, knock-out holders for quick and easy replacement as required.
The rotor moves independently within the RM500’s large volume mixing chamber, allowing the capacity of the chamber to increase in deeper cuts, and therefore, producing better material mixing and excellent gradation. The mixing chamber is designed to ensure depth control, proper sizing, and thorough blending of reclaimed material. What’s more, machine weight is well distributed to provide optimum cut stability, as well as contribute to uniform depth control.
An electronically controlled on-demand variable speed cooling fan delivers the lowest overall noise levels, while the RM500’s ergonomically designed operator’s station equates to comfort, visibility and ease-of operation. Machine controls are conveniently grouped to enhance operator productivity and reduce fatigue, and they are just a few of the RM500’s innovative features.
A Cat C15 engine with ACERTTM Technology powers the RM500. ACERT Technology provides clean burning power and innovations that work at the point of combustion to optimize engine performance and provide low exhaust emissions. The C15 engine provides a full-rated gross power (SAE J1995) of 403 kW (540 hp) at 2000 rpm with a torque of 2356 Nm (1738 lb/ft). The combination of large displacement and high torque allows the RM500 to propel through even the toughest materials. And, this engine meets European EU Stage IIIA emissions regulations for off-road applications.
http://www.hub-4.com/news/1826/caterpillar-commissions
CASE Construction Equipment ’s new 580 and 590 Super R series 3 backhoes are built to combine stability in all terrains, with a choice of either mechanical PowerShuttle or PowerShift transmission.
Both the 580SR and 590SR are equipped with a 4.5 litre turbo engine. The 580SR is fitted with a Tier 3 engine rated at 72kW (95 Hp), while the 590 model is powered by an electronically-controlled engine rated at 82kW (110 Hp) and provides a torque boost of 516Nm to pull through any difficult conditions.
The hydraulics have been designed with ease of serviceability in mind, with three pressure control checks now grouped together, making an easier and more immediate diagnosis possible in any situation.
Ease of service also extends to daily maintenance, with a tilting hood providing easy engine access from ground level. Sight gauges allow for easy and quick daily checks of hydraulic oil and coolant levels. Along with this, the electronically controlled engine is compatible with the Case EST (Electronic Service Tool) for rapid diagnosis and minimum downtime.
When used effectively, EST can halve the time taken to diagnose and rectify a performance incident. One of the main benefits is being able to isolate troublesome and intermittent incidents by monitoring the operation of particular circuits or sensors of interest for faults during machine operation. The EST also assists the Case service technician to locate the relevant component using screen images.
Operator comfort was also considered in the re-design, with the electronic foot and hand throttle and one touch idle control simplifying operation.
The cab features good all round visibility with floor-to-roof glass. The ergonomically placed controls ensure the operator can easily concentrate on the job at hand and low noise levels ensure comfortable operation.