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| Construction vehicles become greener  Vehicles for use in the building and construction industry have always benefited from the innovations taking place in heavy goods vehicles. But all the main manufacturers are also offering special drive technology, superstructures and other components all designed to cope with the extreme stresses involved in building and construction. At the 28th bauma, which takes place from 23 to 29 April 2007 in Munich, all the suppliers will be focusing in particular on the aspects of environmental compatibility and driver comfort.Construction vehicles not only have to be suitable for transporting building and construction materials by road. Tough conditions on building sites require high-performance trucks for off-road use and tractors that can pull heavy loads of 250 tonnes. With the prime costs and the tough competition in mind, many of these requirements are being met with tried and tested modular systems, which cater to the often very different wishes of customers. The range extends from dumper trucks and concrete mixers to heavy loading cranes, large concrete pumps and various specialised equipment. Once again an important aspect at bauma will be environmental protection. Following the introduction of Euro 4 in October 2006 all efforts are now focusing on the next emissions standard, Euro 5, coming into force in 2009. SCR technology (selective catalytic reduction) handles the high NOX emissions in diesel engines in a catalytic converter, using the reduction agent AdBlue. All engine suppliers are also working on even more efficient fuel-injection systems, as a way of reducing fuel consumption and fine-particle emissions. Never before has the range of engines been so diverse as today. Performance classes of under 200 to well over 400 kW in V6 and V8 versions present customers with a wide choice. In gear systems, modern control technology is increasingly taking over the gear-changing process. Already over 50 percent of the trucks designed for the road have automatic gears. Driver cabs in road trucks are even being equipped with a shower and mini-kitchen. By comparison, the driver of a construction vehicle asks for more modest luxuries – adjustable shock absorbers in the seat for optimum comfort, a finely adjustable seat back with integrated headrest, a spinal support and adjustable seat angles are all on the wish list. Plus an effective air-conditioning system and easy-to-read displays for the key engine and vehicle functions. Also much in demand when it comes to construction vehicles are the suppliers of assemblies and superstructures. Semitrailer dumper trucks with a torsionally rigid steel chassis that copes easily with any bending and torsional forces are particularly interesting for logistical operations with building materials. A low weight, to keep the payload as high as possible, better resistance to wear and easy-to-clean tipping troughs, plus flexible adaptation for use with different bulk materials are further criteria. Rapid swap systems for various truck applications are still an underexploited option in many construction firms. But swap systems are indeed worth considering, especially from a total-cost point of view. Wherever site logistics require rapid fleet relocation or the transport of components made of precast concrete or steel, individually tailored transport solutions are available, either from service companies or manufacturers. From 23 to 29 April 2007, bauma in Munich will be showcasing multifunctional systems for transporting a wide range of machinery. Plus docking systems for particular types of machinery that have been developed in cooperation with the manufacturers of construction machinery. Last not least – the subject of service. Construction vehicles should be available and fit for use at all times. However such availability depends not only on the quality of the vehicles themselves, but also on the support service offered by the supplier. An extensive service network is therefore a further decisive point on the purchasing checklist of many visitors to the fair. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Construction News :: home page |