NOT only was bauma 2007 the largest in terms of exhibitor and space, it also set a record as the hottest, with daily temperatures in the mid 20s throughout, and the largest attendance with upwards of 600,000 visitors. Even with seven days, it is impossible for anyone to get round every exhibitor spread through the 540,000m2 indoor and outside areas. Add in the hundreds of thousand square meters of walk ways, roads and aisles and the total area is probably closer to 1,000,000m2. With such a vast array of new equipment it is difficult to know where to begin, or what to include so let me, with a little help from my colleague, take you on a leisurely stroll through the main exhibitors.
The largest exhibitor is Liebherr with a 13,000m2 stand which takes six months to erect and a similar period to dismantle. Amongst the many exhibits, was the new mobile 22 HM fast-erecting crane. The 22 HM is aimed at the building trade, carpentry, timber construction and the prefab industry, where there is a demand for even bigger mobile fast-erecting cranes. Despite its compact size, the 22 HM is highly functional. The innovative ‘super-raised’ jib working angle is unique and enables a hook height of 33.4m. The maximum radius of the 22 HM is 27m and its maximum load capacity is 2,000 kg. Transport speed is up to 80 km/h. Another crane is the Liebherr 200 DR 5-10 derrick crane for dismantling tower cranes in the 300t-plus payload category. Since a crane for the purpose of dismantling tower crane machinery is generally used at very great heights, its standard construction includes hoisting equipment for heights of 32m in single- and double-reeved operation.
There is also the new 904 C Litronic wheeled excavator, which can be fitted with a 3.8m hydraulically adjustable boom or a 5.3m gooseneck boom. The sticks can be delivered at lengths of 2.25m, 2.45m, 2.65m and 3.05m. In the tracked excavator line there is the redesigned R 313 Litronic crawler excavator, the smallest in the current range of Liebherr crawler excavators. Despite its compact dimensions, the R 313 Litronic features a 74.9 kW/ 102 hp charge air-cooled turbo diesel engine.
Across the aisle, the roar of motorcycles on the Case stand draws the crowds in with a stunning display of trick motorcyclists jumping from machine to machine in stunts that would make the average Health and Safety Inspector’s jaw hit the ground. Star of the show is a black liveried backhoe loader celebrating 50 years since the company gave the world the first fully integrated model. Everywhere is the new eagle motif that the company is re-introducing. Of interest to Australia, is the new line of E-series wheel loaders, the latest, and largest being the 921E with a maximum bucket capacity of 4.2m. As on other stands, there is also a great deal of interest in the compact track loader – a skid steer on tracks. A last minute announcement was the high reach CX330HRD demolition rig with a maximum working height of 20.5m.
The strident chords or an orchestra fill the air. Closer investigation shows it is from the adjacent stand and is the beginning of the JCB dancing digger show – and, as one, the crowd makes a surge to the barriers. Waving my press pass, I make my way to the comparative sanity of the reception area to find out what is new. The VMT160 tandem vibratory roller with a 45 litre diesel tank, enabling them to work continuously for longer, is launched together with the larger VMT260 with a 95 litre fuel tank. Weighing in at 1,650 kg with an improved linear load of 10.3 kg/ cm, the VMT 160 is powered by a three-cylinder water-cooled engine delivering 17kW. The VMT260-120 is a 2.7t- model with 120 cm drum width and the VMT260-100 weighs in at 2.6t with a drum width of 100 cm
Another interesting introduction is the Midi CX – a brand new compact backhoe loader which effectively does the job of three machines. Powered by a 37.3 kW engine, the Midi CX has a dig depth of 3,075 mm. At just under 4,000 kg, it is lighter and more manoeuvrable than the larger 2CX and can be transported on a 7.5t plant truck. There was also the opportunity to preview the new 8020 mini excavator, which will compete in the 1.9t - 2.3t class.
Moving on and following yet another motorcycle attraction takes you towards the halls where in the outdoor arena; Caterpillar is also using stunt motorcyclists to attract an audience. The main display is inside, where it is heaving with people, many watching yet another show, this time acrobatic dancers promoting Cat clothing. As always, Caterpillar has a lot to unveil at bauma and it is their primary launch showcase. Amongst the various upgrades, are several new products including 906H, 907H and 908H compact wheel loaders, 953D and 963D track-type loaders, 20t - 23.5t M318D MH and 22.4t - 25.7t M322D MH wheeled material handlers, 992K and 993K large wheel loaders.
Behind Caterpillar is Putzmeister, where I am told that Australian territory manager, David Bond has been acknowledged as being in the top 10 for outstanding sales achieved in the past 12 months. New from this leading concrete pump manufacturer is the M58-5 RZ concrete placing boom, a new award winning stationary concrete pump able to deliver concrete pressures over 400 bar for extreme heights.
With its new logo, New Holland Construction featured several new offerings including telehandlers and the Blade Runner but catching the eye of people, because they are not often seen at such events, is the new D150 dozer. There is also interest in the latest developments in compact tracked loaders, which appear to be the flavour of the month. The new C175 and C185 compact track loaders have a turbocharged New Holland engine rated at 43 kW - 55 kW gross horsepower and feature a standard two-speed transmission for travel speeds up to 7.4 km/h. The large Volvo stand boldly re-introduced the old logo. Among the new products was the BL61 Plus and BL71 Plus backhoe loaders. Both machines boast higher engine power ratings along with other features designed to help operators be more productive. Also new are the EW140C, EW160C and EW180C wheeled excavators, the EC35C and ECR48C compact excavators complimented by the ECR58 Plus and ECR88 Plus short swing compact excavators. Other new products are launched in the loader range. The talking point on the stand was, of course, the take over of the IR Road Division products and what is next.
Stepping back outside to the fresher, but hotter air, Komatsu is giving a live demonstration of its latest machines while trying to compete with Neuson, who also use a stunt motorcyclist to draw in the crowds. Neuson announces the merger of Wacker Construction Equipment AG and Neuson Kramer Baumaschinen AG. New products from the company included the 901s and 1101c skid steer loaders. Also new was a range of dumpers comprising a series of eight base models, covering a payload of 1t to 9t.
Crossing what is normally a busy road, but, for bauma, is an integral part of the showground takes you to a new area to the north to cope with the demand for space. Hyundai is one of the first stands you come to as crowds gather to watch more entertainment. Perhaps this will be different? No, once again, a stunt motorcyclist is the highlight of the show albeit aided by flying acrobats. Hyundai is showcasing a newly released 80t excavator model along other excavators, wheel loaders, skid steer loaders and forklifts.
Other interesting developments in the earthmoving sector come from Doosan, Sany and other Chinese companies but space does not allow for more. However, the next issue will feature such companies as Bell, Terex, Manitowoc, Kobelco, JLG, Bobcat and others plus a round up of some of the smaller companies with some very interesting novelties.
Roger Lindley and Colleen Lindley, Construction Contractor’s European correspondents, look at recent introductions and developments in Europe that could impact on the Australian market.
Source: Construction Contractor