Capital Equipment News September 2018

HPE Africa’s take on mini excavators

Experts from HPE Africa explain why mini excavators are well-suited for most small to medium size construction, repair and demolition projects. Although mini excavators generally don’t exceed 10 000 kg and are much smaller than full- sized excavators, the compact machines have excellent power-to-weight ratios, with no compromise on functions and capabilities. Mini excavators are fuel efficient and are easy to transport from one site to another. Because of their small size, the machines are able to swing within a small radius, which is not possible with bigger exca- vators. The lightweight excavators have a small footprint and cause less damage to work surfaces, like grass and asphalt, making them ideal to work in gardens and parking areas. When fitted with rubber tracks they can even work in warehouses and with their low operating noise levels, they are often used on residential job sites. HPE Africa notes that specially designed attachments, like trenchers, augers and forks, add to the versatility of these machines. By selecting the appropriate attachment, agile mini excavators cope efficiently with tasks that would otherwise be performed with great difficulty. Typical applications include digging holes, creating trenches, demolishing small structures, repairing sewer lines and landscaping. Mini excavators are also used to remove stumps, for digging irrigation ditches and creating garden ponds, as well as general maintenance work. Advancements in modern mini excavators include high power ratings, fuel-efficient engines, with low emissions and the latest hydraulic technologies for smooth perfor- mance and precise control. Robust operator cabs are designed for enhanced comfort and The Master Builders Association (MBA) North says the continuing trend of main contractors delaying payment of their sub-contractors – or defaulting altogether – is a symptom of the deteriorating health of the construction industry. The MBA is calling on industry players to enter into a dialogue to address the issue or risk more job losses and bankruptcies. MBA North received input from three of its members that throws light on what the impacts are and how to solve the issues. According to Nico Maas of Gauteng Piling, a member of the MBA North, his company has seen a steady increase in

HPE Africa offers its Hyundai R35Z-9, R60-9S and R80-7 mini excavators to the local market.

low noise levels, with excellent visibility for improved safety on site. The HPE Africa team recommends the implementation of a strict maintenance programme to ensure minimal downtime, optimum efficiency and extended service life of every machine. The procedures include checking and changing the gear oil, greasing pins and bushings, which should be done daily, changing out the hydraulic fluid and regular cleaning out the undercarriage. non-payment by principal contractors over the past seven years. “Because of non-payment, my company has lost approximately R9-million in profits and has outstanding debts of R11-million at this point. We’re a small company with 22 permanent employees – our very survival is threatened.” Yellow Dot Coatings’ Christo van der Mer- we adds that while non-payment by princi- pal contractors and clients has increased, the company still has to pay its labourers monthly and its suppliers on 30 days. An anonymous sub-contractor also broadly confirmed these points, saying

Safety is critical when operating construc- tion equipment, which is why operator train- ing is essential. Although mini excavators are small compared to other construction equipment, they can be dangerous if not used correctly. In conclusion, mini excavators are likely to lower investment and operating costs, en- sure quicker completion of tasks, reduce top ground damage and enable easy transport between locations. b that sub-contractors find themselves stuck in the middle with no guarantee when to expect payment by principle contrac- tors, but still paying suppliers within the payment terms. It is clear that contractors have to be much more savvy when deciding whether to enter into a contract at all – they must conduct due diligence on prospective clients. They must also insist on a contract that is fair to them, and that contains clear and inexpensive provisions for dispute resolution. Sub-contractors should invest in specialised insurance and legal. b

Construction to address non-payment of sub-contractors

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