Capital Equipment News July 2018

For informed decision-making JULY 2018

KEEPING PRODUCTION FLOWING

TOWER CRANES: Addressing critical lifting challenges

ENGINE REBUILDS BOOSTING ENGINE COMPONENT REMANUFACTURING PROWESS. PAGE 24

BACKHOE LOADERS: New diggers on the block

FLEET MANAGEMENT: Details matter

KEEPING PRODUCTION FLOWING

construction news 32 New Cat 426F2 digs into Botswana 34 Specialised solutions at Wirtgen's Road Technology Days mining NEWS 35 Global top miners in good health 36 Junior miners still struggle against system in SA transport & logistics news 38 25 years of Volvo's flagship FH truck 39 DAF named International Truck of the Year 2018 materials handling news 41 GLTC launches new Doosan 7 series maintenance NEWS 43 Savings from diesel injector technology agriculture NEWS 44 M7 Kubota central to Smith Power's NAMPO 2018 exhibit cover 4 Keeping production flowing Tower cranes 6 Addressing critical lifting challenges backhoe loaders 12 New diggers on the block fleet management 16 Keeping an eye on fuel tanks fleet management 20 Details matter engine rebuilds 24 Boosting engine remanufacturing prowess Thought leadership 28 Rethinking the value of infrastructure in SA THOUGHT LEADERSHIP 30 Top 10 issues shaping mining in 2018 CONTENTS Capital Equipment News is published monthly by Crown Publications Editor: Munesu Shoko capnews@crown.co.za Advertising manager: Elmarie Stonell elmaries@crown.co.za Design: Anoonashe Shumba Publisher: Karen Grant Deputy publisher: Wilhelm du Plessis Circulation: Karen Smith PO Box 140 Bedfordview 2008 Tel: (011) 622-4770 Fax: (011) 615-6108 www.crown.co.za Printed by Tandym Print The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor or the publisher. FEATURES REGULARS Total circulation Q1 2018: 4 136

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EDITOR'S COMMENT

UPTIME SAFEGUARDS THE BOTTOM LINE

W e have all heard the phrase “time is money”. And for capital equipment opera- tors – be it a construction contractor, a mine or truck owner – it has never been more true. Today’s tough operating and economic conditions are putting more strain on already constrained bottom lines. If you have been in the capital equip- ment operation business, you probably, by now, know that maximising uptime is

the foundation to keeping your business healthy and growing. Given that investments in capital equipment are such big-ticket purchases, to maximise return on investment, these pieces of equipment must be kept running at maximum capacity, 24/7/365. Uptime is now the mantra, the figure of merit. Unexpected downtime can be extremely costly as loss of output has a direct, negative impact on revenues. It is thus no surprise that every fleet owner of capital equipment expects 100% equipment uptime. To increase uptime and maximise production efficiency, one must choose the highest reliability equipment and then implement an appropriate maintenance programme to keep that equipment running at peak performance. However, equipment maintenance is not the whole story when it comes to uptime and the consequent improvement to the bottom line. In today’s technological era, there are many tools available to help fleet owners maximise their uptime. Many OEMs, in partnership with their dealers and customers, are continuously developing systems that are largely aimed at maximising this important operating parameter. I recently attended Volvo Construction Equipment’s Volvo Days in Sweden. Of great interest to me at this year’s event was the OEM’s extended enterprise approach to boosting machine uptime. Volvo CE’s focus on uptime is based on the fact that customers only make money when the machines are running. That’s why the Swedish OEM is working closely with its dealers to further improve common processes and systems that will provide service technicians with more efficient access to information and support than

before – ensuring shorter resolution times for customers. You may be running tough, hardworking machines, but no matter how durable the design, there will always be an occasional technical issue. To safeguard completion and profitability targets, machines should be back on the job as quickly as possible. Solving machine issues instantly is an extremely important contributor to fleet owners’ success. With that in mind, Volvo CE has placed uptime at the heart of its latest strategy in its sales region EMEA, using digitalisation tools, such as telematics, as one enabler of improving efficiency. This year, the OEM has embarked on two specific projects to ensure mechanics have access to the right info and support when they need it. The first is called First Time Fix and aims at identifying the root cause of an issue early and as quickly as possible. The second – One Communication Platform – is a new case handling system for all Volvo CE products. Its purpose is to speed up the quality improvement process by using a unique tool to integrate systems and collaboration between dealers, and Volvo’s regional product support and maintenance teams. One Communication Platform ensures that mechanics’ feedback goes upstream in the process all the way back to Volvo R&D. I commend Volvo CE, and many other forward-thinking OEMs, for realising that in today’s tough business climate, there is need to further strengthen the common approach between all stakeholders. There is need for continuous collaboration between the OEM, the dealer and the end user in everything they do – with common systems and processes – to deliver maximum uptime, and ultimately boost the bottom line for fleet owners.

Munesu Shoko – Editor

capnews@crown.co.za

@CapEquipNews

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JULY 2018 2

COVER STORY

KEEPING PRODUCTION FLOWING

Mine and quarry operators are well aware that to keep production flowing, it is critical for every machine in a comminution circuit to pull its own weight. It is therefore important to deal with a single, reputable supplier that delivers end-to- end solutions – from crushers and conveyors, to feeders and screens – to ensure every piece in the system performs. This is exactly the driving principle behind Weir Minerals’ one-stop shop approach to comminution with its expanded ranges of Enduron ® and Trio ® equipment, writes Munesu Shoko .

M ining and quarrying operations are under intense pressure to increase production through the optimisation of their plants. They are aware how significant it is for every machine in a comminution circuit – be it a crusher, screen or feeder – to perform optimally. If one machine goes down, the whole system collapses, and that translates into unpro- ductive days and resultant costly downtime. Therefore, single source alliances when it comes to the procurement of comminution equipment – where one reputable supplier services all the application needs – can help mines and quarries gain a competitive and cost advantage. “Based on our customers’ needs, we have over the years continuously expanded our comminution offering to further entrench our position as a total solutions provider to process plants,” explains Vernon Steenbok, General Manager Comminution at Weir Minerals Africa. Weir Minerals Africa offers two ranges of comminution equipment, namely Enduron ® and Trio ® . “With our Enduron ® and Trio ® ranges of comminution equipment, we don’t just offer products; we provide total solutions. The product families position Weir Minerals Africa as a complete partner to mining and aggregate operations in Africa and Middle East, our areas of responsibility,” says Steenbok. Cutting-edge screening With screens ranging from light duty sizing and dewatering through to heavy duty multi-slope screens, Enduron ® vibrating screens can accommodate most minerals processing applications. The Enduron ® range comprises single- and

double-deck configurations for linear motion screens and Trio ® circular/ elliptical screens. The company’s linear motion screens – comprising multi-slope (banana), horizontal deck and inclined dewatering screens – are engineered to order to fit various screening duties, including primary, secondary, tertiary, trash, drain and rinse, de-sliming, dewatering and protection of screens. “The Enduron ® screen line includes horizontal, multi-slope banana and specialised dewatering screens. These workhorse machines have proven themselves in demanding, high-production mining and aggregate operations across the world,” says Steenbok. The development of the multi-slope screen concept is said to be a major innovation in screening technology, essentially because of its exceptionally high throughput per unit screening area. “Our multi-slope screens are high capacity, high velocity machines with low bed depth, resulting in greater efficiencies and throughput by allowing quicker stratification of the material bed,” he says. The circular/elliptical motion screens include single-, double- and triple-deck horizontal and inclined screens, suited for all applications in the aggregate market. The company also offers grizzly feeders for primary screening and scalping duties. Speaking of the key strengths of the Enduron ® line at large, Steenbok says the major talking point is the high-efficiency nature of the screen range, which has a 90- 95% efficiency. “It’s a high-capacity screen range that allows users to push volumes,” he says. A unique feature of the Enduron ®

vibrating screen is the innovative corrosion protection system. Steenbok explains that epoxy resin is applied to the mating faces before fastening to prevent ingress of liquid and solid materials during operation, and to mitigate the risk of stress corrosion cracking. “Side plates are lined with Linatex premium rubber for abrasion and corrosion protection,” he says. Another key advantage is that Enduron ® linear motion horizontal screens offer a screening solution with a low headroom requirement and less pegging of screen media. “Using linear motion screens results in a lower installed cost, as well as the ability to better control the travel rate across the screen, translating into improved screen efficiency,” explains Steenbok. Complete offering The extensive Trio ® product range offers a distinct competitive advantage in that the customer has a one-stop solution. Shawn Robus, business development manager: Africa Comminution, explains that the range extends from jaw crushers; cone crushers; apron-, grizzly-, pan- and belt- feeders; vertical and horizontal shaft impact crushers; through to screens, washing plants, conveyor belts and hoppers.

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JULY 2018 4

Vernon Steenbok, GM Comminution at Weir Minerals Africa.

“Our Trio ® capacity range is from 50 to 1 500 tonnes per hour. Our vast product range is a big advantage because it allows us to customise every single solution without sourcing any components from other suppliers,” says Robus. “The innovative range of Trio ® equipment and tailored plant design is engineered for the most rugged and demanding applications. Our engineers have extensive experience and are able to advise, design and supply customised solutions from fixed, semi-mobile and trailer- mounted offerings, to best suit customer requirements.” Trio ® became part of the Weir Group in October 2014. Having been present in the African market via distributors since 2006, Robus says Trio ® products are now part of a very large installed base across the continent. After the acquisition of Trio ® , Weir Minerals Africa made several changes to take full advantage of the brand’s growth potential, but more importantly to maximise uptime and productivity for customers in Africa and the Middle East. One of the key resolutions, taken in mid-2015, was to engage directly with the market rather than via distributors. “We have since set up a highly experienced team to focus exclusively on our comminution

solutions – from application engineers, support engineers to sales, aftermarket support and project management staff – with vast crushing and screening experience to look after the Trio product range in the region,” explains Steenbok. Robus explains that there are several major benefits of going directly to market. He says that the major downside of going to market through a third party supplier is often the disintermediation, thus Weir Minerals prefers to service its customers directly, thereby strengthening relationships and developing a close understanding of its customers’ operations over time. “We believe we can offer our customers better service and solutions because we know the product better than anyone else, leveraging case studies from our installed base across the region,” says Robus. Steenbok reasons that dealing directly with customers also better informs the original equipment manufacturer’s research and development (R&D) by incorporating the “voice of the customer” and their ever- changing needs into research projects. “Our direct route to market helps us find quick solutions for our customers, especially in the current economic climate where uptime and productivity are key survival factors

for both aggregate producers and mining companies,” says Steenbok. Strong support structures The successful implementation of the direct route approach hinges on Weir Minerals Africa’s strong branch network across the region. The company boasts 19 sales and service centres in Africa which are strategically positioned to support its customers efficiently. “Weir Minerals Africa’s strong presence in mining regions on the continent and the Middle East is driving growth for our extensive comminution range of products. This is complemented by our significant investment into augmenting technical aftersales support and infrastructure in growth areas,” says Steenbok. “Aggregate and mining companies in the region are well aware of the prominent role that Weir Minerals Africa has played in their industries over the years, and they understand the value we are able to bring to their operations. We have built our reputation on strong technological performance and our value proposition of the lowest cost of ownership, which is key to the survival of any aggregate or mining operation,” concludes Robus. ❂

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JULY 2018 5

TOWER CRANES

At Nampo 2018, Smith Power Equipment showcased a wide range of agricultural solutions.

Addressing critical lifting challenges

To get the better of space, time and safety concerns on construction sites, self-erecting tower cranes have proved to be the fitting solution with their ability to be rigged more quickly and safely than their conventional top slewing counterparts, even in tight spaces, thereby addressing most of the critical materials handling challenges construction contractors have to contend with, writes Munesu Shoko.

A s urban development continues apace, space at construction sites is at a pre- mium. At the same time, project timelines have become even shorter, calling for maximum uptime on site. As recent buildings have been getting higher and larger, vertical lift planning and operation are key factors to successful project completion. As a result, vertical transportation of materials needs careful consideration. On all sites, but especially high rise projects, the efficient delivery of materials to the workface is paramount. Constrained sites generally limit what is possible in this regard and getting this wrong will definitely prove costly. Understanding self-erecting tower cranes Jared Terry, Tower Crane Manager at MMS Cranes, the local distributor of the Terex range of cranes, explains that a self-erecting tower crane is a bottom slewing crane,

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JULY 2018 6

QUICK TAKE

used for smaller construction projects and easily moved between sites on conventional transport. “The crane can self-assemble with the push of a button and due to this design, there is no need for additional assembly cranes or equipment. The assembly is performed by hydraulic cylinders and ropes, reducing establishment time to a minimum,” says Terry, adding that this is in stark contract with conventional top slewing tower cranes which require higher transport costs, longer erection time as well as the assistance of mobile cranes. Jean Pierre Zaffiro, Global Product Director: Self-Erecting Cranes at Manitowoc Cranes, says a self-erecting crane is a “one-package” tower crane. He reasons that in terms of applications, self-erecting tower cranes don’t offer the same scope or dimensions as regular tower cranes. The biggest self-erecting crane has a 50 m jib and 8 t capacity, he says. Therefore, these cranes are suitable for customers that require simple and cost-effective logistics. “With self-erecting cranes, there is no need to prepare the ground as you do with concrete for top slewing cranes. You just need to install, erect, complete the work, fold away and off you go again,” says Zaffiro. “They are primarily used for small to medium sized jobsites and can stay on the same job for weeks on end. For housing construction needs, the self-erecting crane concept is particularly well-adapted to combine productivity and easy-to-use potential; it can be used for moving site materials, concrete pouring, roofing applications, either on its own or to complement forklift usage, for example.” Clemens Maier, Product Manager, Fast Erecting Cranes at Liebherr, says compared with a conventional top slewing crane, the biggest advantage of a fast- erecting tower crane is the easier and faster installation of the crane. Moreover, the transport is cheaper because less trucks are needed. Depending on the size, a fast-erecting crane is ideally used on projects from one-week up to one-year duration. Conventional tower cranes are mainly controlled out of the cab. Fast-erecting cranes are usually operated by a radio remote control. But in principle, tower cranes can also be operated with remote control and fast-erecting cranes can also be equipped with a cab. “Compared with a conventional tower crane, the fast-erecting tower

As recent buildings have been getting higher and larger, vertical lift planning and operation are key factors to successful project completion

Technologies have been developed to make sure the space used for the erection and operation of a self-erecting crane is kept to a minimum

Controlling the crane erection and dismantling with a remote control results in high levels of safety

Self-erecting tower cranes have proven their worth on sites with their ability to be rigged more quickly and safely than their conventional counterparts, even in tight spaces

“Using the jib assembly in the air, fast-erecting cranes can be also mounted and dismounted in tight space conditions. With a top-slewing crane, generally additional space is required for the mobile crane and a lot of space must be taken into account for the pre-assembly of the jib and counter-jib.”

Clemens Maier, product manager, Fast Erecting Cranes at Liebherr

“The crane can self-assemble with the push of a button and due to this design, there is no need for additional assembly cranes or equipment. The assembly is performed by hydraulic cylinders and ropes, reducing establishment time to a minimum.”

Jared Terry, Tower Crane manager at MMS Cranes

“With self-erecting cranes, there is no need to prepare the ground as you do with concrete for top slewing cranes. You just need to install, erect, complete the work, fold away and off you go again.”

Jean Pierre Zaffiro, global product director: Self-Erecting Cranes at Manitowoc Cranes

TALKING POINTS

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JULY 2018 7

TOWER CRANES

Liebherr's fast-erecting crane’s jib can distribute the loads all over the jobsite without disturbing site activities.

crane is completely self-erecting, and additional hoist equipment is not needed. In contrast, the conventional tower crane always requires a mobile crane. Depending on the possibility of positioning the mobile crane on the building site, the size of the respective mobile crane is one of the biggest cost drivers of a crane erection,” explains Maier. Apart from the mobile crane, Maier adds that one also needs significantly more skilled crane fitters/technicians when using a top slewing crane. “A fast-erecting crane is usually set up with only two skilled workers, whereby the installation time is one hour to half a day (depending on crane size),” he says. “A large fast-erecting crane like a Liebherr 81K.1 is usually repositioned within one day (dismantling, transportation to the new site and erection). For a top-slewing crane you often need four to five skilled workers over about two days plus the mobile crane with the operator. In addition, the fast- erecting crane can generally be set up from the ground,” says Maier. Another advantage is the simple logistics. The fast-erecting crane forms a complete unit with all of its necessary components. Only a few accessories have to be brought to the building site,

and dismounted in tight space conditions. With a top-slewing crane, generally additional space is required for the mobile crane and a lot of space must be taken into account for the pre-assembly of the jib and counter-jib. This requires good planning,” says Maier. Maier adds that a fast-erecting crane is a fitting solution for small building sites with short project periods. “On small building sites, telescopic handlers, all terrain cranes or excavators are often used as lifting equipment. These systems require considerably more time and space to move material on the building site,” he says. The same view is shared by Terry, who says that self-erecting tower cranes are designed for small projects and their compact design limits ground preparation requirements, adding that

for example, counter ballast. “Therefore, you can’t forget anything. With the top- slewing crane, all components must be distributed on several trucks and have to arrive in the right order on the building site, to ensure that the assembly works without any problems. Often, however, there is only little space to park the trucks at the building site,” he says. Addressing space constraints Speaking about space, Maier says the space requirement for a fast-erecting crane in operation is comparable to that of a top-slewing crane. However, the big advantage, is that during installation, only the space for the crane in transport position is required (small footprint). “Using the jib assembly in the air, fast-erecting cranes can be also mounted

“A large fast-erecting crane like a Liebherr 81K.1 is usually repositioned within one day (dismantling, transportation to the new site, and erection). For a top-slewing crane you often need four to five skilled workers over about two days plus the mobile crane with the operator. In addition, the fast-erecting crane can generally be set up from the ground.”

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JULY 2018 8

load and be on the ground to continue the job when the load is to be placed. Also, self-erecting cranes don’t damage the ground as they remain in one place, meaning less to do after the crane has finished the job. Maier says with fast-erecting cranes, it is possible to easily place multiple cranes on the building site and increase the handling capacity (amount of hooks on the site). At the same time, you can either use multiple fast-erecting cranes or top slewing cranes combined with self-erecting cranes because tower cranes require little space on the building site. “Liebherr K cranes can also be set up with different hook heights, and the cranes can also slew over each other. In case of fast-erecting cranes, the crane driver equipped with radio remote control also works as a slinger, which increases productivity. With the progress of the project, a fast-erecting crane is also quickly and easily repositioned on a building site so that the crane always works in the best position, thereby significantly improving productivity,” he says “With fast-erecting cranes on crawler (Liebherr 42 KR.1), which are ideal for

Terex's self-erecting cranes are designed for small projects.

these cranes can also operate with a folded or luffed jib configuration. Maier reasons that, furthermore a driver is also needed for the mobile crane or telehandler, and an extra rigger for the load is required. With a fast-erecting crane, the crane operator is also the rigger. On top of that, precise crane movements also protect the material because there is less damage, for example, in case of precast concrete elements. Zaffiro says technologies have been developed to make sure the space used for the erection and while operating is kept to a minimum. As a result, the cranes are getting very close to the buildings while operating and with the small footprint they are ideal for constrained jobsites. “For example, our Hup 32-27 crane, one of the biggest models, uses only 4 m x 4 m on the ground while operating up to a 4-t capacity at 40 m high! Another valuable space-saving feature of our self-erecting crane is the unit’s transport dimensions. To use the Hup 32-27 as an example, when folded, it can fit inside a container,” says Zaffiro. Improved productivity and short project durations Having a self-erecting crane, as compared to a forklift or any other piece of mobile equipment, is much more productive, says Zaffiro. This is because the jib distributes the loads all over the jobsite without disturbing the activity of the site. “With a 32 m jib, you cover more than a 60 m diameter area on the jobsite, and this from one single point – not to mention with only one operator,” he says. With the remote control, the operator can direct the

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JULY 2018 9

TOWER CRANES

infrastructure projects (roads, bridge building sites or large hall building sites), you are even more flexible. You can change position of crane in less than one hour,” says Maier. Safe operation Safety is a very important parameter in any materials handling project of any nature. Maier says a fast-erecting crane is completely secured, because there are sensors that prevent overloading. Moreover, using modern cranes with PLC, manipulation is no longer possible. “Other features, such as operating-range limiting systems, prevent loads from swinging over hazardous areas, such as train tracks or busy roads. In general, relatively few accidents happen in comparison to other crane systems,” he says. Since the crane driver can always stand where he picks up or drops the load, he always sees what the fast-erecting crane is doing, reasons Maier. “There are no blind spots, meaning that he always has everything under control. Besides, there are no communication problems because he can always see the complete building site,” he adds. Zaffiro says having a self-erecting crane helps avoid a congested job site; this immediately creates a safer working environment. Then there’s the remote operation – by controlling the crane erection and dismantling with a remote control, this brings a high level of safety, particularly as the operator can keep his distance during operation. Also, the crane operation remote control provides key safety indicators to make the operations as safe and efficient as possible. Speaking of uptake of self-erecting tower cranes globally, Zaffiro says at the moment, the self-erecting crane culture is very European but it deserves to be implemented across the world. “We have already dispatched our self-erecting cranes to different Uptake in focus

Potain’s Hup 32-27 crane, one of the biggest models, uses only 4 m x 4 m on the ground while operating up to a 4-t capacity at 40 m high.

continents and we are noticing a growing interest in its characteristics: ease-of-operation, compactness and versatility,” says Zaffiro. He is of the view that training potential users is key to the market development of self-erecting cranes. “Customers can be afraid of change, especially considering that self-erecting cranes are still quite unknown in some areas until now. This can make potential buyers apprehensive about trying something new. Having the cranes available to try is the key to removing this uncertainty,” he says. Maier says in Central Europe, the fast-erecting crane of up to 45/50 m radius is the standard offering. Most projects – residential buildings up to 35 m height, civil engineering and industrial hall – are built with fast-erecting cranes. Top-slewing cranes are only used if it is not possible to use a fast-erecting crane, for example, due to large required hook heights or payloads. “Outside Europe, the fast-erecting crane isn’t known very well. In this case, an alternative lifting tool is often used for smaller building projects (telescopic handlers, terrain crane, goods lift). Of course, when building high-rise constructions in fast-growing mega cities, the top-slewing crane is preferred. But, nowadays even outside Europe, more and more customers are discovering the benefits of the fast- erecting crane compared to other hoists,” concludes Maier. ❂

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JULY 2018 10

BACKHOE LOADERS

New diggers on the block

QUICK TAKE

Several new players have entered the local backhoe loader market

T he backhoe loader, popularly known as the TLB in local circles, remains the most prominent piece of equipment in South Africa and south- ern Africa at large. Together with the skid-steer, the two solutions constitute almost half of the annual sales of the 5 000-6 000 unit per annum construction equipment market. The TLB is regarded as the workhorse of the local industry and with its versatility, it’s a unit that affords small and upcoming contractors the much-needed stepping stone into the construction contracting business. Despite the overtraded nature of the backhoe loader market, several new players who have recently entered the local market have their winning strategies in place to challenge for a share of the lucrative, yet so competitive TLB market, Munesu Shoko .

Manitou SA officially launched its new TLB844S backhoe loader at Nampo 2018, although several units had already been sold prior to the show

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JULY 2018 12

Maximum Equipment has taken over the distributorship of Hidromek's range of backhoe loaders in South Africa.

Feeler Africa embarked on its backhoe journey in January 2016, with the launch of its 4WD HD96.

TALKING POINTS

“The HM 102 B Alpha’s telescopic arm has a digging depth of up to 5,8 m, which is a big advantage in deep excavations and applications that call for a long reach.”

Vaughan Ellis, MD of Maximum Equipment

“We received good response at bauma CONEXPO AFRICA, with lots of customer and dealer enquiries. We have a few orders for the first units on hand. We are aware that the TLB market is very competitive and we believe it’s essential to have right products for our customers.”

Pavan Nair, GM New Business Development at Mahindra South Africa

However, of note is that this is an overtraded market with close to 20 suppliers jostling for a share of the market, while the dominance of some premium makers such as JCB and Caterpillar in this segment is just hard to beat. This is exacerbated by the shift towards other seemingly cost-effective solutions such as the compact excavator and the compact loader in some of the traditional applications where the TLB has always been regarded as the ultimate solution. Despite the overtraded nature of the market, we have seen several new players entering the backhoe loader market lately. These include Mahindra South Africa, with its Indian made

Mahindra EarthMaster backhoe loader; Feeler Africa, the local distributor of the Indian-made BULL range; and Manitou South Africa, with its newly-launched Manitou TLB844S backhoe loader. While Hidromek’s TLB range is not new to the South African market, it has recently changed distributorship hands, with Maximum Equipment announced as the new dealer earlier this year, taking over from Hitachi Construction Machinery Southern Africa. Early targets Gavin Leask, product manager at Manitou Southern Africa, predicts that the TLB market in South Africa is currently about 1 700 units per year. To

Feeler Africa embarked on its backhoe journey in mid-August 2017, with the launch of its 4WD HD96

Mahindra SA officially launched its TLB offering for the first time at bauma CONEXPO AFRICA in March this year

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JULY 2018 13

BACKHOE LOADERS

TALKING POINTS

year downward cycle in 2017. “South Africa, and several other southern African countries are set to enjoy a favourable economic spell this year, and we are convinced that this is the perfect time for us to explore new business units,” he says. Apart from seemingly favourable market conditions, Nair believes that Mahindra’s knowledge of the market will also play a huge factor in the quick growth of its construction division. Mahindra SA is celebrating its 14 th year in South Africa and already has an established network of dealers in all nine provinces of the country, housed in comprehensive facilities that handle sales, service and spare parts. In a market which he believes to be over 1 000 units per annum, Vaughan Ellis, MD of Maximum Equipment, is targeting a 5% market share in the next three years. Since arriving in South Africa in 2010, there are about 120 Hidromek TLBs operating in the field, while Maximum Equipment has already sold 10 units, including its recently-launched mini-TLB, since taking over in February this year. Hidromek models to the local market, comprising the HKM 102 B Alpha with a standard bucket, the HMK 102 B Alpha with a 6-in-1 bucket and the HMK 62 SS with a 4-in-1 bucket. The HMK 102 B’s 6-in-1 loading bucket with a 1,1 m³ capacity is said to provide an advanced level of loading performance. “Thanks to the bucket geometry that is designed carefully, effective use of bucket capacity is guaranteed,” says Ellis. The Alpha Series comes with greater weight distribution and wide stabilisers provide safer excavation in uneven terrain. The range also comes with an additional hydraulic line as standard for hydraulic breaker and attachment use. “The HM 102 B Alpha’s telescopic arm has a digging depth of up to 5,8 m, which is a big advantage in deep excavations and applications that call for a long reach,” adds Ellis. Maximum Equipment has since added the new Hidromek HMK 62 SS mini-TLB to its range. Ellis says the new offering complements the larger range and adds a new dimension. “It’s a niche model that spans both the TLB and skid-steer market. It will appeal to those customers looking at a specific job requirement, but it won’t dilute the sales of the bigger TLB,” he says. The compact size of the machine, the Strong offering Maximum Equipment offers three

“Key target markets for us are naturally the plant hire and construction companies. However, we will continue to look for other niche markets where we already have relationships with our customers through our full range of equipment, such as the agriculture sector.”

Gavin Leask, product manager at Manitou Southern Africa

“We are still in the very early stages of starting up and if we can manage our growth within our own set parameters, we will be grateful. In a perfect world if we can achieve a market share of 4% for the first rolling year of trading we will be happy.”

Francois Griesel, national sales manager at Feeler Africa,

Manitou SA officially launched its new TLB844S backhoe loader at Nampo 2018.

successfully challenge for a sizeable share of the market, he says Manitou SA will complement its good product with dedicated aftermarket support it is already known for. Francois Griesel, national sales manager at Feeler Africa, tells Capital Equipment News that a key focus area for the company at this stage is to set the right foundations for success by growing its dealer network across South Africa. “We are still in the very early stages

of starting up and want to manage our growth within our own set parameters. In a perfect world, if we can achieve a market share of 4% for the first rolling year of trading we will be happy,” he says. Pavan Nair, GM New Business Development at Mahindra South Africa, is optimistic that the timing of the launch of the Mahindra backhoe offering is perfect, with the market signalling strong growth prospects following an end to a three-

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JULY 2018 14

EarthMaster TLB in two variants – 6-in-1 bucket and a standard bucket offering. The 4WD TLB comes with an 80 hp engine, 4-forward and 4-reverse transmission. The major talking point is its banana boom which offers 7% more reach. “The TLB is built with components from globally renowned suppliers such as Carraro from Italy (axles and transmission), Parker from the United States (hydraulic pump), Husco from the US (hydraulic valves) and Gates Imperial from the US (hoses),” says Nair. New kid on the block Manitou SA officially launched its new TLB844S backhoe loader at Nampo 2018, although several units had already been sold prior to the show. Although Manitou is an established name in the local market, this is the company’s first venture into the backhoe loader market. This follows Manitou Group’s acquisition of Terex Equipment Private Limited (TEPL), of India. The acquisition, from Terex Corporation, was finalised during the first half of 2017. Since bringing the first units in the country in November 2017, Manitou SA already has an estimated 3% of the market. “We officially introduced the TLB844S in May 2018 at Nampo and, therefore, no significant share of the market has been established yet as it is fairly a new kid on the block. Going forward, we aim to gain a good chunk of the market share,” says Leask. Two of Manitou SA’s key target markets are naturally the plant hire and construction companies. “However, we will continue to look for other niche markets where we already have existing relationships with our customers through our full range of equipment, such as the agriculture sector and the African market. Manitou has a large range of attachments that are adaptable to our TLB and this will also create new opportunities,” reasons Leask. Leask believes Manitou’s strong support footprint will be its key strength in its quest to seize a sizeable share of the TLB market. “Manitou is well established in South Africa and southern Africa at large, and our quality products, coupled with our relentless drive to satisfy our customers through offering what we believe to be the highest standard of aftermarket support, will result in a good market share in the TLB space. The Manitou TLB adds another aspect to our compact equipment product range of skid steer loaders, track loaders and articulated loaders,” concludes Leask. ❂

Mahindra SA has launched its EarthMaster TLB in two variants.

ability to turn 360 degrees on its own axis, a banana boom on the backhoe, standard additional auxiliary hydraulic lines, make the HMK 62 SS mini-TLB an ideal solution for urban construction sites and agricultural applications where space is often limited. However, speaking about the Hidromek TLB range at large, Ellis says the target market is very diverse as the product appeals to all sectors of the industry. “We have machines working in sectors such as forestry and demolition due to their robustness and strength,” he says. Feeling the terrain Feeler Africa embarked on its backhoe journey in January 2016, with the launch of its 4WD HD96, the bigger of the two BULL models the company offers locally. This was followed by the introduction of the HD SMART 60 TLB just before the end of 2017. “Currently we offer two models. The smallest of the range, the HD SMART 60 delivers 45 kW of power and 120 ℓ /m oil flow at 210 bar pressure. The larger HD96 delivers 71,5 kW of power and 134 ℓ /m oil flow at 230 bar pressure. The power of the machines allows for fitting of any of our 26 different attachment options, including a compaction roller,” says Griesel. Griesel says the early days into the market have been challenging, considering that this is a competitive market where the major five players are already well entrenched in the South African buying patterns. Feeler Africa has, however, already sold 30 units of the HD96 and about 10 HD60 units. “We see real opportunity for the HD SMART 60 in Africa’s affordable rural development applications,” he says. Griesel says the key target market at this stage is the plant hire sector with the HD SMART 60, which he believes is a low

hanging fruit. “The HD SMART 60 offers a basic non-electronic operating platform, mainly hydraulic and diesel driven. It also comes with world-class components, such as Carraro transmission and axles, Kilorskar engine, Danfoss braking system, Casappa Pumps and AKG Radiators, to name a few. We have had some success into the construction industry as well, mainly in the road construction industry where we found the HD96 to be well accepted,” says Griesel. Expanding support footprint has been a major area of focus for Feeler Africa. The company currently has 42 dealers across South Africa, mainly comprising independently-operated businesses. “The dealer network is capable of delivering a full sales, service and parts to our client base. We cover all major cities and rural areas. In my opinion, this is the real benefit of what we offer as Feeler Africa. We can service at arm’s length anywhere in South Africa, as well as in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Swaziland,” he says. TLB offering for the first time at bauma CONEXPO AFRICA in March this year. However, the first units will be available for retail from mid-July this year. “We received good response at bauma, with lots of customer and dealer enquiries. We have a few orders for the first units on hand,” says Nair. Nair says plant hire and smaller construction companies are key target markets, while a reach into mining and farming sectors will be sought to some extent. “We are busy establishing our dealer network and we are hoping that by the end of our financial year we will be present in all provinces of South Africa,” he says. Mahindra SA has launched the Grand debut Mahindra SA officially launched its

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FLEET MANAGEMENT

Keeping an eye on fuel tanks

Fuel is a big part of every fleet budget. In an environment where diesel prices have gone up 42% between January 2016 and April 2018, it is now imperative to keep an eye on fuel tanks, writes Munesu Shoko .

Every DAF vehicle sold in South Africa comes standard with an on-board fleet management system – Executrax.

F leet managers are increasingly resorting to fleet that they can reduce what is deemed to be one of their biggest cost drivers, through the use of fleet management solutions from both original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their third-party counterparts. Many fleet managers agree that fuel is a large part of their budgets, if not the biggest. Against a backdrop of continued fuel hikes, Jasper Hafkamp, executive director, Daimler Truck and Bus Southern Africa, is of the view that fleet operators now have their eyes on lower total cost of ownership more than ever. He reasons that, based on a 6x4 long haul truck-tractor, available figures show that fuel makes up to 62% of vehicle related costs. As a result, there is particular attention on fleet management systems to manage fuel usage and optimise its consumption across fleets. Mark Gavin, sales director, Transport Solutions at Babcock, the southern African dealer of the DAF range of trucks, says in a long distance transport operation, fuel costs today can contribute around 50% of the overall cost of ownership of a vehicle. Gert Swanepoel, MD of UD Trucks Southern Africa, estimates that fuel makes up around 24% of a fleet’s fixed operating costs. However, he reasons that this can go up to 80% of variable operating costs. Pierre Annandale, fleet manager at Cartrack, a global fleet management, vehicle recovery and insurance telematics provider, says fuel can constitute anything between 45 and 50% of the monthly cost of ownership of a vehicle. management solutions to help them clamp down on fuel theft, unnecessary idling and improving driving standards for optimised fuel usage. Today’s fleet managers are aware

QUICK TAKE

Many fleet managers agree that fuel is a large part of their budgets, if not the biggest

There are a number of enemies when it comes to fuel, all the way from unnecessary idling, fuel theft to poor driving

A fleet management system can allow fleet managers to see the approximate amount of fuel used by each vehicle in litres and rands

There is a general assertion that one can reduce fuel costs by up to 20-25% through taking advantage of fleet management systems

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JULY 2018 16

UD Telematics Services is an integrated high- tech wireless communications system designed to maximise fleet profitability.

GLTC offers Crown’s InfoLink, a solution that enables greater efficiency of the fleet, giving a complete overview of equipment usage.

TALKING POINTS

“DAF’s Executrax measures harsh acceleration, speeding, harsh braking, among other parameters. It also has a device that cuts the vehicle engine off after a pre-determined amount of idling time.”

Mark Gavin, sales director, Transport Solutions at Babcock

However, the story is a bit different when it comes to forklifts. John Valentine, national systems manager at materials handling equipment specialist, Goscor Lift Truck Company (GLTC), says fuel is not necessarily the biggest cost on IC machines; the driver cost usually is, then followed by fuel, which ranges between 30-40% of total lifecycle costs, but application dependent. Fleet management to the rescue As fleet operators grapple with high fuel costs, it has become a necessity to put systems in place to be able to track and optimise fuel usage. Fleet management systems have provided an answer to some of these woes. Reducing the amount of fuel your vehicles burn can help you save money. A fleet management system can allow fleet managers to see the approximate amount of fuel used by each vehicle in litres and rands. Then action can be taken to drive down fuel usage, such as engine tune-ups or driver coaching. To help truck operators keep control of this biggest cost driver, Gavin says every DAF vehicle sold in South Africa comes standard with an on-board fleet

“The UD Telematics System also facilitates Fuel Coaching – a feature whereby the driver is given a real-time ‘Thumbs-Up’ or ‘Thumbs Down’ signal on his/ her dashboard to indicate if they are driving in the so-called Sweet Spot of optimised operation.”

Gert Swanepoel, MD of UD Trucks Southern Africa

management system – Executrax. Besides being a driver management tool, the system not only measures the amount of fuel injected, but also the variances in fuel tank pressure and fuel levels. “With any sudden increase or decrease in these parameters, an alert can be sent to the fleet manager to point out that something could be amiss,” says Gavin. Swanepoel says UD Telematics Services is an integrated high-tech wireless communications system designed to maximise fleet profitability. “It has features such as track and trace, geofence, fuel utilisation, fuel loss alert and proactive

support, which entails preventative maintenance, vehicle health monitoring, remote customer assistance and fuel advice service,” says Swanepoel. Valentine says GLTC uses its FMX system on its IC machines, which has a range of web-based live alerts and reports that can be used to determine actionable trends. “However, there are also some built-in mechanical protections that focus on preventing abuse or other unnecessary costs,” he says. According to Annandale, there are two ways in which Cartrack monitors fuel usage. “We can either connect to the vehicle’s fuel

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JULY 2018 17

FLEET MANAGEMENT

TALKING POINTS

management tool, Gavin says DAF’s Executrax measures harsh acceleration, speeding, harsh braking, among other parameters. It also has a device that cuts the vehicle engine off after a pre- determined amount of idling time. Annandale says there are numerous ways in which Cartrack’s fleet management system can improve fuel consumption, including reducing speeding, idling and unauthorised kilometres driven. “Other important ways in which our fleet management system provides fleet managers with the tools to reduce fuel consumption is suggesting the best routes to travel and providing an overview of the times of day that their vehicles are operating,” says Annandale. Valentine is of the view that the single best control of fuel usage is a disciplined and efficient driver, “if you have one”. However, he says GLTC’s FMX can show a visible fuel usage graph, and has an Excess Idle Cut Out after three minutes. “There are also live alerts/reports from the system indicating which drivers/ machines have the greatest incident ratios of excess idle for further interventions,” says Valentine. “Other features such as rpm, transmission protection and speed limiters also reduce fuel consumption. In essence, if the desired parameter is exceeded, the machine can be disabled (safely), or an alert sent indicating the guilty party.” Huge savings There is a general assertion that one can reduce fuel costs by up to 20-25% through taking advantage of fleet management systems. Valentine agrees, saying the company has found this assertion to be true, and customers have easily achieved 10-25% fuel savings where the interventions/management system is used correctly. “This can translate to a R1 500-R2 500 fuel saving per month, dependant on application,” he says. Meanwhile, Swanepoel says UD Trucks has seen savings of between 15 and 20% by simply identifying drivers, through the telematics system, who are not driving efficiently, and then introducing measures to better their performance, for instance green band driving. “The UD Fuel Advice Services work with customer fleets to develop desired driving performance and skills for the specific routes the trucks travel,” he says. With Cartrack’s fuel management system, Annandale says customers can expect to save at least 20% in fuel costs. “Clients have experienced numerous benefits from our fleet management system, including an increase in productivity and reduced costs across their businesses,” concludes Annandale. ❂

“The single best control of fuel usage is a disciplined and efficient driver, if you have one. However, GLTC’s FMX can show a visible fuel usage graph, and has an Excess Idle Cut Out after three minutes.”

John Valentine, national systems manager at Goscor Lift Truck Company

“Clients have experienced numerous benefits from our fleet management system, including an increase in productivity and reduced costs across their businesses.”

Pierre Annandale, fleet manager at Cartrack

With Cartrack’s fuel management system, customers can expect to save at least 20% in fuel costs.

sender device or we can pull fuel usage from the CAN Bus of the vehicle,” he says. Fighting the enemies There are a number of enemies when it comes to fuel, all the way from unnecessary idling, fuel theft to poor driving. Available figures show that a truck idling an average of three hours a day can add an equivalent of over 43 500 km in engine wear and tyre in a year. That can add up to an additional R22 000 in maintenance costs. So, how does fleet management systems help fleet operators get the better of these problems? With a fleet management solution, you can view idle time per vehicle, fleet-wide idle time averages, and more. You can also monitor performance, track how improvement affects your fleet’s idle time percentage and educate drivers about

the importance of reducing idle times. According to Swanepoel, UD Trucks’ Fuel Utilisation analyses driver behaviour and generates easy-to-read reports to allow for identification of potential areas for fuel savings and optimise accordingly, through driver training, for instance. “The UD Telematics System also facilitates Fuel Coaching – a feature whereby the driver is given a real-time ‘Thumbs-Up’ or ‘Thumbs Down’ signal on his/her dashboard to indicate if they are driving in the so-called Sweet Spot of optimised operation,” says Swanepoel. He adds that a special Fuel Loss Alert functionality protects the fleet owner’s asset by sending a notification should there be any unexpected drop in fuel levels through theft or damage. Besides being a driver and fuel

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