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| Specialised attachments at bauma Specialised attachments save time and costs on site and also reduce the need to keep rarely used machinery in readiness. Matching quick-coupling systems make fast work of the job of switching over attachments on the hydraulic excavators, whatever the attachment – screener crusher, recycler, milling attachment or compactor attachment. Fitted with attachments like a drill mount, paver-laying clamp, concrete pulveriser or hydraulic hammer, an excavator can become a valuable universal tool. And when equipped with caterpillar tracks, it becomes an all-terrain all-rounder. The 28th bauma, which takes place from 23 to 29 April in Munich, offers a full overview of specialised attachments now available and quick-coupling systems. The alternative to the expensive process of removing soil and replacing it is to improve the existing soil with special binding agents. In large-scale construction projects self-propelled soil stabilisers are used, or attachments fitted to heavy-duty tractors. For smaller areas, however, screener crushers are used, primarily in trenching and ditching operations. With these, it is possible to quickly and economically process cohesive, non-compactable excavated material for re-use by adding binding agents and aggregates. These aggregates can be added direct to the rotating mixing drums by means of a high-pressure dosing unit. Electronics is even making inroads into the job of stabilising soil. The entire process is electronically controlled and documented for analysis. Modern screeners, equipped with several milling shafts for different types of soil, can process between 500 and 2,500 tonnes per working day. But that´s not all screeners are used for. Depending on their design, they not only mix, but also screen coarse and fine grade material or operate as an impact crusher. The size of grain required is determined by the choice of beating arm. In addition this equipment can also take on the job of processing building rubble, bark mulch and gypsum plaster board. Riddles are a popular attachment. But riddle buckets are much faster and more efficient. Using a rotating basket, it sieves fine material much faster than the conventional riddle. This modern technology accelerates and facilitates the job of separating material, whether for recycling or transporting building rubble. Compactor attachments have been a familiar sight for some years now. In the past there was only a limited range available for special uses, from vibratory plate compactors without shaft to encapsulated hydraulic units. Compactor attachments are now just as much part of the scene on building sites as other compaction equipment. Even the manufacturers of road rollers have for some time now been offering towed plate compactors as additional equipment. The aim of this is to eliminate the bow-wave effect that arises from the movements of the rollers. The new generation of compaction attachments is designed for fully hydraulic quick-coupling systems and can be attached extremely fast. The driver of the excavator doesn´t even have to leave his air-conditioned cab, and can carry out compaction or trenching work even in places that normal equipment cannot reach. One other important aspect is the high security. More and more manufacturers are looking at this cost-effective solution. The 29th bauma will showcase all the latest technology in this area. High-performance milling attachments are not only essential in tunnelling work or in breaking up concrete. They are being used more and more in road-building and trenching operations. The manufacturers favour highly flexible solutions. They also supply the hydraulic motors specially adapted for the different carriers and variable cutting widths. Exchangeable cutting head configurations give flexibility for a wide range of applications. Modern milling machines, such as those on display at bauma in Munich, have even lower vibration and generate even less noise. High-torque hydraulic motors supply the necessary power and special cutting heads, for hard or very abrasive rock for example, ensure fast progress. The cutting technique, whether chisel-based or a clamp system, benefits strongly from the experiences of specialist suppliers with self-propelled pavement breakers and surface miners. Milling attachments can even be turned into multi-functional devices – some suppliers offer specially designed buckets which when attached to an excavator turn it into a device that is capable of excavating, milling and crushing in one continuous process. Many tool attachments to hydraulic excavators have only a narrowly defined field of operation. Here tilt rotators can be of help. Depending on design, they are mostly equipped on both sides with quick coupling systems, thus giving new freedom of movement. The combination of continuous rotation and a tilt angle of, for example, 40° or 50°, enables a wide range of tools to be brought into almost any position. An additional gripper module, which grips in a similar way to a human thumb and index finger, is suitable for a variety of transport applications and can take loads of up to one tonne. In the simplest version, tilt rotators need two oil circuits. One relatively new development are proportional systems in which certain work processes are automated by computer. The world´s biggest international trade fair for machinery for the building and construction, building-materials and mining industries, organised by Messe München GmbH, will take up over 540,000 m² of indoor and outdoor exhibition space. The last bauma in 2004 attracted 2,801 exhibitors from 47 countries. 50% of the exhibitors were from countries outside Germany. 416,000 trade visitors came to bauma in Munich in 2004, 29% of them from abroad. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Construction News :: home page |