8 mins
INNOVATIONS IN ATTACHMENTS
The latest safety features, acquisitions and power solutions in the world of attachments are examined by Leila Steed
Choosing the right attachment can increase construction's efficiency and productivity
IMAGE: CATERPILLAR
CAN TILTROTATORS REALLY INCREASE PROFITS?
Depending on the type of task being carried out, Steelwrist estimates that an experienced tiltrotator operator can increase their productivity by up to 35%. According to manufacturer Rototilt, the time saved simply by using a tiltrotator, coupled with the energy improvements, can make a major difference to a project’s efficiency and energy consumption. Sven-Roger Ekström, product manager at Rototilt, says, “We have always known that there is a big difference between working with and without a tiltrotator.
“Not only do you need to use fewer machines, but you can also carry out the task at hand with fewer movements and changes of position. This saves both fuel and time, as well as reducing the impact on the ground where you are working. It therefore has a number of positive environmental effects.”
But when it comes to fuel consumption for the carrier machine, what level of savings are we actually talking about? Ekström says, “Our lab tests indicate a reduction in fuel consumption of between 1-2 litres per hour for a 20-tonne machine, compared to our previous tiltrotator series. “Out in the field, the savings are affected by a number of factors, such as the type of machine and the job in question. In terms of diesel per year, this could mean savings amounting to thousands of euros.”
Using a tiltrotator can lead to a reduction in fuel consumption
IMAGE: ROTOTILT
Health and safety is paramount in construction and attachments can be an area where accidents can sometimes occur. Earlier this year, the UK Governments’ workplace safety authority the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) filed charges against a construction sector contractor for a health and safety breach that led to the death of an employee.
An investigation found that the company in question had failed to ensure a safe working method for its team when moving equipment. While loading an excavator fitted with a grab onto a low-loader trailer for transport, the team failed to fully engage the quick hitch connection between the excavator and the attachment.
The grab subsequently disconnected from the machine during the loading process and crushed a 24-year-old site worker.
LockSense wedges inside the coupler connections feature sensor technology that informs the machine driver that the attachment is securely fitted
IMAGE: STEELWRIST
Following the issuing of a €208,000 (US$222,000) fine HSE inspector Joanne Williams said, “This tragic death serves as an important reminder that workers need to be trained and that there is always the potential for an attachment to fall during the operation of excavators.”
Keeping workers safe
Attachments not being properly connected and unintentionally being dropped from the carrier can have devastating consequences.
When it comes to safety, all attachments manufacturers have their own systems for ensuring a solid connection between the coupler and the work tool, but a new technology from Steelwrist may be a gamechanger.
Epiroc’s latest product, the VC 3000 rotary cutter
IMAGE: EPIROC
STRUCTURAL SHAKE-UP AT EPIROC
Epiroc, one of the largest excavator attachments manufacturers in the world, has split its Tools & Attachments division into two, following the acquisition of Stanley Infrastructure – an excavator attachments and handheld hydraulic tools manufacturer – from Stanley Black & Decker.
While the ‘Attachments’ side has now become the Mining & Infrastructure Attachments division, the ‘Tools’ part of the division is operating as a standalone division called Rock Drilling Tools.
Helena Hedblom, Epiroc’s President and CEO, said, “With past growth and now the ongoing acquisition of Stanley Infrastructure – our largest acquisition ever – our tools and attachments business is expanding significantly.
“By dividing up the business into two dedicated divisions, we are optimizing the focus for all the business lines and supporting sustainable, profitable growth.”
The full impact of the restructuring may still yet be felt by customers when it comes to product deliveries and servicing – particularly for contractors working on major products and for large rental companies.
The Swedish company recently released its third-generation XTR20 tiltrotator, which comes as standard with the company’s latest break-through product; the patented LockSense system. Described as “a new leap” in safety technology, LockSense is a wireless, sensor-based front pin hook system.
The system comprises locking wedges or ‘shafts’ that slide into place around the attachment’s connection point, and then twist into a locked position.
The shafts contain wireless sensors that detect when the locked position is fully achieved, and sends radio signal to the machine’s onboard computer system to the machine operator, providing both visual and auditory confirmations that the work tool connection is complete, secure and reliable.
Caterpillar’s Hydraulic Connecting CW couplers include its Locking Control System
IMAGE: CATERPILLAR
The GRP480 hydraulic mobile shear
IMAGE: GENSIS
Electric focus
A new product recently launched could mean significant changes for attachment users and buyers. The LEKA Toras 35 electric hammer from Finland-based company Lekatech recently made its commercial market debut at this year’s Hillhead exhibition in the UK. Believed to be the first electric powered hydraulic hammer in the world, its development represents what could be the start of a monumental shift in the attachments equipment industry.
The LEKA Toras 35 electric hammer is built on the company’s patented linear electric motor technology and is said to be the result of years of research and development.
It is designed for use with electric powered carrier machines and, according to OEM Lekatech, can deliver “huge benefits on urban construction projects and in quarry or mine environments, above or below ground.”
Hydraulic Connecting CW Coupler with a P324 Primary Pulverizer
IMAGE: CATERPILLAR
Standout performance features of the Toras 35 include a 70% reduction in energy use when factoring in overall energy consumption of the equipment, and double the blow impact energy of hydraulic hammers of the same size.
While the commercialisation of such a unit may herald the start of more electric attachment releases, these are thought to be some time away, despite many governments around the world continuing to push forward Net Zero targets.
Although many governments are implementing policies to curb global warming, distinct and detailed legislation has so far been primarily focused on constructors and building methodologies, not on the equipment needed to help meet sustainability targets.
In an interview with sister publication, Demolition &Recycling International, Lekatech’s CEO Antti Antilla, said, “The legislation is not up to date when it comes to the electric transition. For example, the CE marking for our product – and obviously we are under the machine directive – but when it comes to individual requirements, it’s not clear how to show and prove that,” she explains.
“In our case, we’ve really had to dig down to a wider scope to form our own understanding of the machine directive, so that we can answer key questions about the directive. Such as; what does it require from us? Which different standards do we need to pull together and fulfil in order to be in-line with the machine directive?”
There’s another issue as well, which is to do with the regulation between the carrier machine and attachment maker.
“We have had discussions with OEMs to find out how they see the directive and the standard that is in place, so that we can determine the meaning of this together,” she says.
M7
Concrete Cracker
IMAGE: GENESIS
Task specific attachments
Many producers of hydraulic work tools are developing attachment ranges for specific applications, taking a ‘bespoke’ approach to helping contractors carry out tasks. Genesis has introduced the GRP 480 hydraulic mobile shear, which is designed exclusively for processing rebar. Developed in response to customer requests, the specialist GRP 480 Rebar Processor attachment features numerous bolt-on wear parts and surfaces for easy maintenance and jaw protection. The model has an extra-large pivot group designed to withstand daily rebar processing and provide maximum durability. It features a 24-inch jaw opening with a 26inch jaw depth and fits up to 21-tonne carriers. For mini excavators, Genesis has also released the M7 Concrete Cracker attachment for concrete processing.
The model can be fitted to remote-controlled demolition robots as well as mini excavators and has been sized for indoor demolition works and recycling operations.
Fitting up to 11-tonne carriers, the M7 weighs just over half a tonne and offers a 27inch jaw opening with a 19-inch jaw depth. Whatever their function, the key to all attachments is the connection to the machine. Earlier this year, industry giant Caterpillar introduced three Cat Hydraulic Connecting CW (HCCW) coupler models, which allow operators to quickly switch between hydraulic attachments from the cab.
The standout feature of the HCCW20, HCCW30 and HCCW40 quick couplers is their Locking Control system. The system comprises sensor technology that measures the locking wedge position and indicates the coupling status to the machine operator. The productivity gains that attachments can bring are vast, as are the increasing safety measures and functions of them. iC
ATTACHMENT TO HELP SKILLS SHORTAGE
Road Widener LLC, a manufacturer of road and utility construction equipment, has launched the Curb Backfiller accessory for the FH-R material placement attachment. The accessory extends to the left or right of the FH-R and dispenses material over the curb to backfill with dirt or aggregate.
Paired with the FH-R, the Curb Backfiller is said to boost efficiency, accuracy and safety by replacing a backfilling method typically done manually by workers with shovels. Crew members can operate it with the original FH-R remote, improving convenience and reducing the number of needed laborers to just one.
“We recognise the tremendous labour shortage our customers are facing; and it’s taking a toll on their ability to complete work. We have always sought to design solutions to limit labour and increase safety,” said Jack Guebard, Road Widener regional sales manager for the central US.