Leading construction enabling works contractor, Rhodar, is growing at pace, having secured a number of significant new contracts across the UK in recent months. These wins, spanning its core demolition, remediation, asbestos removal and passive fire protection services, include a £6 million regeneration project in Leeds. 

Such a strong and positive growth trajectory meant that the business needed to make a sizeable investment in additional new equipment, with the capability to efficiently and reliably deliver on this new phase of development. 

After much research and operator test feedback, there was one brand that inspired confidence and convinced Rhodar to seal the deal – Hyundai. 

Rhodar has therefore taken delivery of two of Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe’s flagship A series crawler excavators – the HX330AL and the HX480AL – plus a host of attachments from hydraulic breakers to munchers and buckets, to lead the way on Rhodar’s larger earthworks and brownfield regeneration projects. 

John Davies, Remediation Director at Rhodar, said: “Deciding on the right machinery to take us through our next phase of growth was a critical step for us. It’s a huge investment and we needed to be sure that we got exactly what we needed for the price we were prepared to pay. We approached our dealer, Taylor and Braithwaite with a specific brief – we needed a particular size and spec of vehicle and we wanted machines that would be reliable, cost efficient and powerful. They matched us with the Hyundai excavators and when we asked around, all the operators and business owners who had worked with Hyundai only had great things to say about them. Following a highly successful test phase with some of our site teams, we were confident that these were the machines for us.”

Rhodar was first established in the mid 1970s as an asbestos abatement company and fast became an industry-leader in that field. In recent years, the business has branched out to incorporate demolition and remediation services and now offers a comprehensive enabling works package, incorporating passive fire protection. It employs over 500 dedicated staff across 14 facilities, operating on sites nationwide. 

The company has a growing reputation for excellence in tackling complex earthworks projects – breaking out obstructions in the ground, remediating contaminated soil and regenerating brownfield land to make it suitable for future development. At £6 million, the new Leeds regeneration project is a significant scheme and proved to be the catalyst for the company to make its next major investment in site machinery.  

John continued: “We’ve been really impressed with the Hyundais so far. The HX330AL is a great all-rounder and a good workhorse – it’s loading wagons, breaking out and generally shifting a lot of earth round the clock. The HX480AL brings the power – it’s got the bigger bucket and is moving larger volumes – it has a lot of grunt for its size. Both machines are easy to use, the controls are simple and they’re surprisingly dextrous. 

“With a well-known brand like Hyundai, along with the testing we undertook, we were confident that we knew what we were getting and we’re very pleased with how the machines are running. Making the investment was definitely the right decision and we can’t fault Hyundai or the fantastic support we’ve received from Taylor and Braithwaite – they have done a great job.”

The HX480AL and HX330AL crawler excavators are powered by Stage V Cummins diesel engines and comply with the European emission standards. New smart features like IPC (Intelligent Power Control) and EPIC (Electric Pump Independent Control), enhanced cabin visibility, eco gauge and lifting mode ensure superior productivity and efficiency.

To find out more about the Hyundai A Series, to request a quote or to locate your nearest dealer, visit www.hyundai-ce.eu

Maltby, UK (March 10, 2023) – UK-based crane rental specialist Ainscough has completed a thorough crane inspection service project at its specialist facility in Stockton-on-Tees, making ten of its all-terrain cranes available for sale at Ritchie Bros.’ online auction in Maltby on March 29.

With every crane ready to get to work onsite immediately after purchase, buyers at the online auction will have a unique opportunity to benefit from Ainscough’s approach to its de-fleet program.

Each Ainscough crane has undergone an extensive inspection and defect rectification, ensuring they meet a high standard of operation and presentation, in addition to an online report from the Ritchie Bros. Maltby team. Buyers are welcome to personally inspect the cranes on March 27 and 28, with an operator from Ainscough on site on March 27.

Commenting on the refurbishment process and selling with Ritchie Bros., Graham Weights, Head of Engineering at Ainscough, said: “When someone buys an Ainscough Crane, we want them to be able to use it immediately, knowing it has gone through a full detailed inspection process. It’s not just a crane we want to sell at auction; it’s a crane that represents the Ainscough brand.”

Ainscough is selling the cranes to re-invest the proceeds in its fleet renewal program and operations. 

“Having previously sold our cranes with Ritchie Bros, we know that this final part of our asset lifecycle is in good hands, reflecting the strength of our brand standards to a global audience. And when the new operator gets into the cab, they will be pleasantly surprised with how extensive our inspection service program is.” 

Specific highlights of the auction include:

  • 2006 Liebherr LTM1070-4.1 70 t 8x6x8 all-terrain crane
  • 2008 Liebherr LTM1055-3.2 55 t 6x6x6 all-terrain crane
  • 2008 Liebherr LTM1040-2.1 40 t 4x4x4 all-terrain crane
  • And more

Laura Roberts, Territory Manager Central West UK at Ritchie Bros. added: “Much like Ainscough, we are focused on delivering for our customers through our robust selling and inspection process that gives buyers the confidence to bid on this fleet of high-quality cranes.  We’ve worked closely with Ainscough to present the equipment to our global buyer audience. Every crane has been well maintained throughout its lifetime on the fleet and having visited the Stockton-on-Tees facility and seen the refurbishment program in action, no expense was spared to get each crane in tip-top shape before the sale in our auction.”

The Maltby (UK) auction is an online Timed Auction. Lots are open for bidding over several days and close at staggered times on March 29. Interested buyers are welcome to attend the viewing days on March 27 and 28.

For more information about the Ainscough cranes and the upcoming Maltby auction, visit www.rbauction.com/maltby or learn more about Ainscough here: https://www.ainscough.co.uk. 

About Ritchie Bros.:Established in 1958, Ritchie Bros. (NYSE and TSX: RBA) is a global asset management and disposition company, offering customers end-to-end solutions for buying and selling used heavy equipment, trucks, and other assets. 

Research provides strategies for increasing participation and expediting the success of women in the trades to improve project outcomes.

March 6, 2023 (Alachua, Florida) In anticipation of Women in Construction week, The National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) conducted interviews with 176 tradeswomen and analyzed 770 responses to a survey directed to women in the industry. The results have been compiled into a white paper, In Her Own Words: Improving Project Outcomes, which will assist employers with recruiting, hiring, and retaining women in craft positions.

“The U.S. economy is at a critical juncture. We need to re-shore manufacturing, decarbonize energy, and upgrade our infrastructure,” said Boyd Worsham, CEO of NCCER. “As we continue to struggle in building a workforce to fulfill these needs, we must recognize that we are not effectively appealing to the largest percentage of the population—women—in our recruiting and retention efforts.”

NCCER’s goal was to go beyond the numbers and statistics that are typically presented in research about women in construction. The white paper highlights the unique benefits women bring to the construction workforce, the obstacles they encounter getting in and staying in the industry, and their advice on what contractors can do to recruit and retain more women.

“Regarding women simply as a way to make up for the quantity gap in the construction workforce ignores the unique qualities they bring to the jobsite,” said Dr. Tim Taylor, Director of Research for NCCER.

Women also shared their recommendations on how to better recruit and retain women on project sites and, ultimately, in the industry. They provided guidance on how to tackle obstacles that the industry has worked on for years and brought up other hurdles that may be surprising for some. Overall, their suggestions were thoughtful and based on their lived experience in the field. 

This white paper has been designed to inform and provide steps that can be taken by construction leaders to start making changes today that will improve project outcomes for tomorrow.  

“With an expected shortage of 1.9 million craft professionals through 2025, there is tremendous opportunity for women to get involved in an industry that offers competitive wages, benefits, and career growth,” said Jennifer Wilkerson, NCCER Vice President of Innovation and Advancement. “If we want construction careers to be a viable option for all people, we have to change the culture and perception of our industry, starting with our own projects.”

The complete white paper, In Her Own Words: Improving Project Outcomes, is available for free at https://www.nccer.org/in-her-own-words.

About NCCER

The National Center for Construction Education & Research is a nonprofit 501(c)3 education foundation created in 1996. NCCER exists to build a safe, productive and sustainable workforce of craft professionals by providing universally recognized training, assessment, certification and career development for construction and maintenance craft professionals. Learn more at NCCER.org. Among its workforce development initiatives are Build Your Future at byf.org, Construction Career Pathways, and Hard Hat Heroes.

With a focus on technology, sustainability and workforce optimization, Komatsu will unveil new equipment and solutions next week at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023.

March 10, 2023 – With a focus on technology, sustainability and workforce optimization, Komatsu will unveil new equipment and solutions next week at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023. With the right products, latest technologies, actionable data and dealer support, Komatsu will demonstrate (in booth W42044) how the company can create value to help customers achieve visions for productivity and efficiency.

New and updated equipment:
To help customers reduce their carbon footprint and plan for sustainable solutions, including electrification, Komatsu will showcase a number of products including the PC30E and PC210LCE electric excavators, as well as the PC01E electric micro excavator. The booth will also highlight the company’s WA electric wheel loader concept machine based on the chassis of the Komatsu WA70 wheel loader, as well as battery technology and charging advancements. The PC210LCE, PC30E and PC01E will be available in select markets in 2023.

To support the company’s One Komatsu global mining strategy, sizers, reclaim feeders and surface feeder breakers will be rebranded to Komatsu yellow (from Joy orange). Displayed in the booth will be the newly rebranded Komatsu MVT-II 600 crusher, which consumes less energy than compression crushing methods, minimizes fines and reduces waste.

Integrated solutions to explore:
At the booth’s service and support tower and throughout the equipment on the floor, customers can learn about a variety of services Komatsu offers to support equipment, job sites and overall operations. My Komatsu, an all-encompassing customer portal, provides complimentary and convenient access to a customer’s fleet and all the information needed to manage their operations. Mixed-OEM telematics data, warranty coverage, publications, oil samples and online parts ordering enable customers to make critical business decisions 24/7. Customers can use My Komatsu’s new alerts feature to make sure nothing falls through the cracks and learn and subscribe to the newest technology solutions available from Smart Construction and Smart Quarry.

To help increase stakeholder profitability and strengthen workforces by improving operational efficiencies, Komatsu Academy is a new digital learning community focused on providing training needs virtually online, as a blended course offered online and in person at Komatsu’s state-of-the-art training facility – or at customer locations. Expert instructors offer operator, technical, service and technology training for equipment operation, maintenance and service.

Choosing Komatsu parts remanufactured to OEM specs enables customers to reduce costs without sacrificing quality. Backed by Komatsu’s industry-leading warranty and assurance program, Reman is a sustainable and cost-effective option designed to give machines new life, at a fraction of the cost of new components.

In-booth experiences:

  • Live presentations highlighting the latest challenges facing the construction and quarry industries, every hour starting at 9:30 a.m. each day of the show.
  • Exclusive photo opportunity with the crew of Hoffman Family Gold: Todd and Jack Hoffman, along with some of their former Gold Rush crew, are relying on Komatsu equipment to mine in extreme conditions in remote Alaska. Todd, Jack and Hunter Hoffman, along with Andy Spinks, will be in the Komatsu booth at the following times for photo opportunities with attendees:
    • Wednesday, March 15: 10-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-3 p.m.
    • Thursday, March 16: 10-11:30 a.m.

Educational seminar

  • On Friday, March 17, 10:45 – 11:30 AM at West Hall, 206, Komatsu’s Jason Anetsberger, Director of Customer Solutions, will present Digital Transformation of the Job Site, a session that will demonstrate how even small steps toward a digitally transformed job site can promote safety, help optimize production, lower costs and waste, and help attract and retain talent. 

With the right products, latest technologies, actionable data and dealer support, Komatsu and its customers can create value together. To learn more, visit Komatsu at CONEXPO 2023 at booth W42044. Additional products and solutions will be highlighted at neighboring booths for Hensley Industries (W42028), and Montabert (W42229), both Komatsu subsidiaries.

For those unable to attend the show in person, Komatsu will be providing updated virtual coverage at https://www.komatsu.com/en/events/conexpo/.

About Komatsu
Komatsu develops and supplies technologies, equipment and services for the construction, mining, forklift, industrial and forestry markets. For a century, the company has been creating value for its customers through manufacturing and technology innovation, partnering with others to empower a sustainable future where people, business and the planet thrive together. Front-line industries worldwide use Komatsu solutions to develop modern infrastructure, extract fundamental minerals, maintain forests and create consumer products. The company’s global service and distributor networks support customer operations to enhance safety and productivity while optimizing performance.

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  • The R 945 sets the standard on performance and safety
  • Perfectly meets this customer’s special requirements with its great flexibility and versatility
  • The solid reputation of the Liebherr brand was a key factor in the purchase decision

Our New Caledonian customer YADAMWA chose the powerful R 945 crawler excavator, which is perfectly suited to particularly demanding open cast mining work. The company is a subcontractor for SLN (“Société Le Nickel”), the world’s largest producer of ferronickel, and uses the Liebherr tracked excavator primarily for the extraction of metal ores such as iron and nickel.

Colmar (France), 02 March 2023 – In 2022, YADAMWA, a mining contractor based in New Caledonia, the South Pacific island group belonging to France, has purchased its first Liebherr machine. The first R 945 excavator has now been followed by an additional order for other Liebherr machines.

Maximum performance and safety in extraction

The working environment of a mining site is particularly demanding. The R 945 belongs to the generation 8 of Liebherr crawler excavators. The powerful 220 kW motor and automatic power adjustment make it a high-performance machine equally at home on all types of ground.

The glazed operator’s cab of the R 945 offers a panoramic view of the working area, whatever the working situation. The windows are tinted to optimally protect the operator from the effects of temperature and glare. The cab has also been adapted to the standards in force on site. So, for example, a HEPA filtration system – mandatory on all mining sites in New Caledonia – has been installed to prevent asbestos particles from getting into the cab.

Follow-up orders placed by YADAMWA: our customer was convinced by the quality and reliability

Last year, our customer from New Caledonia purchased its first Liebherr machine for earthmoving at its open cast mine as well as for loading dump trucks, areas in which YADAMWA specialises. The R 945 has since been followed by two other Liebherr models. In addition, the customer opted to buy a used PR 724 bulldozer, which is operated by one of its subsidiaries. YADAMWA particularly appreciates the quality and reliability of Liebherr machines, which set them apart from the competition.

About Liebherr-France SAS

Liebherr-France SAS, based in Colmar, has been responsible for development and production of Liebherr Group crawler excavators since 1961. Its current product range includes around 30 excavator models, from the R 914 Compact to the R 980 SME, designed for earthmoving and rock quarrying. The range also includes a whole series of special attachments for specific tasks such as demolition work, transport of materials, work on bridges or in tunnels as well as electric excavators. With their operating weight of 14 to 100 tonnes, the crawler excavators are equipped with Liebherr engines with power ratings from 90 to 420 kW. Liebherr-France SAS has more than 1,400 employees and generates annual sales of EUR 692 million.

About the Liebherr Group

The Liebherr Group is a family-run technology company with a highly diversified product portfolio. The company is one of the largest construction equipment manufacturers in the world. It also provides high-quality and user-oriented products and services in a wide range of other areas. The Liebherr Group includes over 140 companies across all continents. In 2021, it employed more than 49,000 staff and achieved combined revenues of over 11.6 billion euros. Liebherr was founded in Kirchdorf an der Iller in Southern Germany in 1949. Since then, the employees have been pursuing the goal of achieving continuous technological innovation, and bringing industry-leading solutions to its customers.

LiuGong North America to Showcase Company Growth, Battery Electric Vehicle Technology, and 8 New Products at CONEXPO 2023

KATY, Texas – February 23, 2023 – The construction industry has changed significantly since the last CONEXPO-CON/AGG held in 2020, and so has the LiuGong presence in North America. As LiuGong returns to this year’s CONEXPO, held March 14-18, 2023, in Las Vegas, it does so in an enhanced position in the construction equipment marketplace and as one of the fastest-growing companies in the industry.

LiuGong arrives at booth F9205 on the Festival Grounds at the Las Vegas Convention Center with 19 total machines, including eight new products, two new battery electric vehicles, a significantly increased staff, and a robust and growing dealer network.

“The LiuGong presence at CONEXPO/CON-AGG 2023 is a culmination of our growth strategy, new product development, and investment made by members of our expanding dealer network,” said Andrew Ryan, President, LiuGong North America.

“At CONEXPO, LiuGong will highlight the growth and development our team has worked on for the last several years, while also showcasing the value of our machines to prospective customers. The future is bright for LiuGong as a company, and we’re looking forward to the week ahead in Las Vegas.”

2021 and 2022 Business Success

The last two years for LiuGong have seen records in profit, revenue, and growth. While other manufacturers scaled back production, LiuGong increased its production and inventory, making it the largest single producer of wheel loaders in the world.

The LiuGong Lineup at CONEXPO

The 19 products on display cover five product lines (wheel loaders, excavators, dozers, rollers, and material handling applications) and include new technological elements throughout most machines.

Headlining the LiuGong display is one of its battery-electric vehicles, the 856H-E MAX Wheel Loader. There has been exponential growth in this area, with an estimated 2,000 of these units already operating worldwide in some of the world’s toughest conditions. The 856H-E MAX can enhance job sites where traditional combustion engines aren’t allowed or in fixed-site operations where investments in charging infrastructure make sense.

LiuGong debuts two new large-size excavators. The 36-ton class 936F Excavator is a step above medium size excavators, while the 95-ton class 995F Excavator will become the largest in the LiuGong excavator portfolio.

There are two new Zero Tail Swing (ZTS) Compact Excavators premiering in the 9051FZTS and 9057FZTS models. These 5- and 6-ton class excavators fill a gap within the LiuGong lineup and build on the 9027FZTS model that premiered in 2021.

Answering the call to handle tight work on commercial and residential job sites, the new 15-ton class LiuGong 915FCR (Compact Radius) Excavator is a complement to the 913FCR, providing customers welcome choices in that size class. Both evolved from the 915F platform with a focus on a short tail swing and little compromise in lifting capability.

Additional new products include the LiuGong 6612E Roller and the Dressta TD-25M Dozer.

LiuGong will also feature the HV Series Wheel Loaders (838HV, 856HV, 890HV). The HV Series of products have progressed to Stage V emissions standards and include updated transmission and hydraulic systems.  

Rounding out the lineup is another Dressta product, the TD-16N Dozer, along with five products from the rapidly expanding LiuGong material handling business. This includes the LiuGong CLC2025A-SC, CLG2030G, and CLG2035G Fork Trucks and S1930DE and S4046DE Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP).

The full list of LiuGong North America products at CONEXPO includes:

  • 856H-E MAX Wheel Loader (battery electric vehicle; LiuGong North America launch)
  • 9027F-E Excavator (battery electric vehicle; display vehicle only)
  • 9051FZTS Excavator (LiuGong North America launch)
  • 9057FZTS Excavator (LiuGong North America launch)
  • 915FCR Excavator
  • 922F Excavator
  • 936F Excavator (LiuGong North America launch)
  • 995F Excavator (LiuGong North America launch)
  • 838HV Wheel Loader
  • 856HV Wheel Loader (LiuGong North America launch)
  • 890HV Wheel Loader
  • 6612E Roller
  • Dressta TD-16N Dozer
  • Dressta TD-25M Dozer (LiuGong North America launch)
  • CLC2025A-SC Fork Truck
  • CLG2030G Fork Truck
  • CLG2035G Fork Truck
  • S1930DE Mobile Elevated Work Platform
  • S4046DE Mobile Elevated Work Platform

Increasing Dealer Coverage

Since 2019, LiuGong has signed 29 construction equipment dealers and 28 fork truck dealers for a total of 57 new dealers. At the year-end of 2022, LiuGong had 92 total dealers with 156 locations. Several new dealers have signed recently and either has been publicly announced or will be in the coming weeks. Others have expanded their operations by either adding locations or enhancing their footprints.

“Our new dealers in both the construction equipment and material handling industries were looking to grow their level of support and relationship with a new manufacturer,” Ryan said. “It’s our job to help ensure that we as LiuGong work together with these new dealers to elevate them in the marketplace while continuing to recruit more in key markets across the country.”

Key Relationships

LiuGong has worked with Cummins for decades, and the companies have been involved in a joint venture building engines in China together since 2011. Cummins will have one of its engines on display at the LiuGong booth, while the Cummins booth will be in South Hall 4, booth S84615.

LiuGong will also display GRYB product attachments; GRYB has its own booth on the Festival Grounds, F8144. LiuGong also works with CATL as its battery supplier, with Miller UK to provide its globally recognized quick couplers, and with Leica Geosystems, a trusted supplier of premium sensors, software, and services for geospatial data intelligence.

Some of the other LiuGong business enhancements since the last CONEXPO include an enhanced dealer portal, the launch of the new LiuGong Finance program, and a telematics support system, Topcon/Tierra for LiuGong.

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Social Media:

Facebook: LiuGong North America Facebook

Instagram: LiuGong North America Instagram

LinkedIn: LiuGong North America LinkedIn

Twitter: LiuGong North America Twitter

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About LiuGong North America

LiuGong Construction Machinery North America, LLC, a subsidiary of Guangxi LiuGong Machinery, is headquartered in Katy, Texas. For more than 60 years, LiuGong has been manufacturing machinery for the global construction equipment and material handling markets. LiuGong’s brands can trace their lineages back over 100 years in the United States. Today, LiuGong is one of the fastest-growing equipment companies in the world with one of the most comprehensive global dealer networks. LiuGong operates 20 manufacturing facilities globally including joint ventures with world-class companies such as Cummins and ZF. LiuGong’s products are designed for rugged global applications and produced with world-class components for durability and sustainability. LiuGong North America is committed to supporting dealers and customers by rapidly responding to changes in the marketplace. For more information, go to www.liugongna.com.

Komatsu Ltd. (President and CEO: Hiroyuki Ogawa) (hereinafter “Komatsu”) expresses its deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in the recent earthquake that occurred in southeastern Turkey. Komatsu also extends its deepest sympathies to all those affected by the earthquake.

In cooperation with its local distributor Marubeni Da ğıtım ve Servis A.Ş. (hereinafter “MDS”), a wholly owned

subsidiary of Marubeni Corporation, Komatsu will lend construction equipment needed for relief efforts to the affected areas free of charge and dispatch operators and service mechanics to assist the relief efforts, which should amount to JPY 20 million equivalent. Komatsu will donate JPY 10 million through the Japanese Red Cross Society (total support of 30 million yen).

Since establishing an office in Turkey in 1975, Komatsu has been engaging its locally anchored business in Turkey, a major market in the Middle East region. Komatsu will continue to provide material assistance to help the affected areas recover as quickly as possible while monitoring the conditions with MDS.

www.komatsu.eu

About Komatsu

Komatsuisanindustry-leadingmanufacturerandsupplierofequipment,technologiesandservicesfortheconstruction,forklift,mining,industrialandforestrymarkets.Foroveracentury,Komatsuequipmentandserviceshavebeenusedbycompaniesworldwidetodevelopmoderninfrastructure,extractfundamentalminerals,maintainforestsandcreatetechnologyandconsumerproducts.Thecompany’sglobalserviceanddistributornetworkssupportcustomeroperations,tappingintothepowerofdataandtechnologytoenhance

safety and productivity while optimizing performance.

  • Helping to deliver options to customers exploring electric and hybrid-electric equipment, John Deere offers both E-Drive and E-Power solutions. 
  • John Deere will showcase new E-Drive (hybrid-electric) models at CONEXPO/CON-AGG, including the 744 X-Tier wheel loader and the 850 X-Tier dozer.
  • John Deere will also highlight three E-Power (battery-electric) machines, including the 310 X-Tier backhoe, the 244 X-Tier compact wheel loader, and the 145 X-Tier excavator concept.

LAS VEGAS (Feb. 28, 2023) – Delivering purpose-built machines and technologies to customers around the globe,John Deere will showcase a variety of productivity and sustainably-focused construction solutions with alternative power options at CONEXPO/CON-AGG 2023. These offerings provide customers an innovative and eco-friendly take on industry-trusted equipment.

“As we continue to introduce battery-electric and electric-hybrid solutions to the market, we aren’t just designing a new way to fuel your fleet. We’re also focusing on building an electric infrastructure through innovative and forward-thinking technology,” said Ryan Campbell, president, Worldwide Construction & Forestry and Power Systems. “That means expanding our efforts to provide customers with optimal dealer support, jobsite data and charging solutions aimed to increase the electric presence in the construction space around the world.”

Providing power options that meet the diverse needs of customers, John Deere will offer E-Power machines utilizing battery solutions from Kreisel Electric. Offering a hybrid solution, E-Drive machines feature an electrified drivetrain with an engine as the primary power source. In addition, E-Drive machines enable better fuel economy, improved powertrain component life and stronger pushing power on the job than traditional models.

The John Deere electrification/hybrid journey began in 2013 with the introduction of the 644K Hybrid wheel loader, which has since evolved into today’s 644 X-Tier. The 644 X-Tier is notable for its robust performance with its combined E-Drive and Power Shift™ transmission system. In addition, the 944 X-Tier wheel loader is newly rebranded from the 944K Hybrid to align with the John Deere performance tiering strategy. With over 3 million collective customer hours since entering the market, John Deere E-Drive machines are built on customer experience and field proven electric technology. Other new E-Drive machines on display at the show are the 850 X-Tier dozer, which has been recently upgraded from the 850L model, provides customers with multiple operating models to tailor performance and fuel consumption to their specific jobsite needs. The less complex drivetrain powers each track with an electric motor to maintain the maneuverability and control of a traditional hydrostatic John Deere dozer. Lastly, the 744 X-Tier E-Drive wheel loader, featuring an electric variable transmission, provides improved performance with increased fuel efficiency. 

In 2021, John Deere tested and showcased the 310 X-Tier E-Power electric backhoe. E-Power technology provides lower daily operating costs, lower jobsite noise, and zero tailpipe emissions. In 2023, the 310 X-Tier E-Power backhoe model will enter the next phase of development and will continue to improve as a result of customer feedback. The 145 X-Tier E-Power excavator concept, previously showcased at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show will also be on display. Making its debut at CONEXPO/CON-AGG, the battery electric 244 X-Tier compact wheel loader is an ideal solution for customers looking to reap the benefits of an E-Power machine in a variety of material handling applications. 

John Deere is also developing electrification infrastructure solutions to address the energy replenishment challenges faced by battery electric vehicles in off-road production environments. A John Deere electrification ecosystem will offer a wide array of solutions to address needs for charging, data and connectivity, machine support, and financial services. The charging ecosystem will include a range of solutions for overnight and fast charging. All John Deere machines and charging stations will use common automotive style charging connections, helping to simplify the re-charge process for electric equipment. In addition, John Deere is developing new features, such as an Operations Center specific to battery-electric equipment to help customers monitor usage remotely and manage work while charging their equipment with confidence and ease.

“As a leader in the construction industry, John Deere is committed to helping decrease contributions to climate change and is uniquely positioned to deliver both economic and sustainable value to its customers through advanced technology and solutions,” said Campbell. “By 2026, John Deere aims to offer its customers a variety of electric construction equipment solutions, including 20+ electric and hybrid- models, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry, starting with the nine electric or hybrid electric John Deere and Wirtgen Group machines on display at this year’s CONEXPO/CON-AGG.” 

For those attending CONEXPO/CON-AGG 2023, new machine and technologies by John Deere and Wirtgen will be on display in the outdoor booth in the Silver Lot (S5020), as well as in the technology-focused space in the inside West Hall (W40844). For those not attending this year’s show, more information can be found at www.deere.com/vegas2023.

About John Deere


Deere & Company (www.JohnDeere.com) is a global leader in the delivery of agricultural, turf, construction, and forestry equipment. We help our customers push the boundaries of what’s possible in ways that are more productive and sustainable to help life leap forward. Our technology-enabled products, including John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor, See & Spray™, and E-Power Backhoe are just some of the ways we help meet the world’s increasing need for food, shelter, and infrastructure. Deere & Company also provides financial services through John Deere Financial.

For more information on Deere & Company, visit us at www.johndeere.com/.

Nine equipment operators compete head-to-head this March in the final round of the competition during CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas

After two rounds of putting their heavy machinery and technology skills to the test, only nine of the original 5,500 operators are left in Caterpillar’s Global Operator Challenge. The final round of competitions will take place inside the company’s outdoor Festival Grounds exhibit F4455 during CONEXPO-CON/AGG March 14-18 and will also be live-streamed on cat.com.

The finals will determine the world’s best equipment operator through various challenges showcasing the ability to operate Cat® equipment safely and efficiently.

“This competition started with thousands of operators from different industries registering for the challenge,” said Jessica Nunley, global marketing manager for Caterpillar. “After narrowing down the contestants to just 5,500 participants in the first round hosted by Cat dealers around the world, 84 semifinalists advanced to our regional competitions held at Caterpillar sites in Europe, North America, South America and Asia. We are excited to challenge the skills of the nine finalists left standing and crowning this year’s Global Operator Challenge Champion.”

To make the finals even more interesting, the three challenges and the machines involved will not be revealed to the finalists until just two days before the event. Further, Jaus Neigum, the 2020 World Champion, helped design one of the challenges for this year’s finals, and he has assured us it will test every operator’s skills.

Meet the global finalists

“These nine finalists have proven to be among the top performing equipment operators not only in their region but in the world,” said Matt Smith, global marketing manager for Caterpillar. “The competition will be the ultimate test of their ability to master any of our machines and technology.”

Representing Europe:

  • Sebastian Behr – Germany (placed third in the 2020 Global Operator Challenge)
  • Łukasz Mokrzyński – Poland

Representing Americas:

  • John Schiedeck – United States
  • Matt Ferris – United States
  • Fernando Do Nascimento – Brazil

Representing Asia-Pacific:

  • Patrick Doheny – Australia
  • Masato Imai – Japan
  • Nick Thompson – Australia

Join in on the action

To advance to the final round of competition, these finalists have executed a range of tasks using a variety of Cat equipment technology. Competitions have included digging trenches to targeted depths, hitting target material loads, and hauling or maneuvering the equipment through a variety of obstacles. The final round will be the ultimate test of their precision, as scoring is based on the operator’s skills, efficiency, and competence in using integrated technology to enhance the machine’s performance.

“We want spectators from all over the world to watch the final competition during CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas,” Nunley said. “In addition to being able to attend in-person, we will be livestreaming the competition on our website from start to finish, as well as providing updates and sharing the operators’ machine expertise on our social media platforms.”

Spectators can follow all the action during the competition using these global social media pages: 

Global Final

Nine finalists from around the world will compete at the global final.

Caterpillar’s outdoor Festival Grounds exhibit F4455, Las Vegas, Nevada

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.

Live broadcast: www.cat.com/en_US/campaigns/event/conexpo-2023/live-broadcast.html

The winner of this competition will be crowned as 2023’s Global Operator Challenge World Champion at 3 p.m. PDT during the live event on Tuesday, and will receive an all-expense-paid trip for two to one Caterpillar location worldwide.  

For more information about the Global Operator Challenge, please visit www.cat.com/operatorchallenge.

A combination of increasing hire costs has led long-term Liebherr customer Paul Bradshaw of BradPave to invest in a new PR 716 G8 dozer, the first to be delivered in the UK.

Paul has traditionally hired in a dozer as and when required but with an increasing order book requiring dozer work along with the lack of suitable machine available, he decided to add his own to the fleet. Already operating a pair of Liebherr excavators, an R 914 Compact and R 934 G8, both fully spec’d with Leica GPS and Steelwrist tilt rotators, Paul was immediately drawn to the new G8 version of Liebherr’s smallest dozer and subsequently placed an order for one in his grey and white livery.

The range of hydrostatically powered dozers are made in the Alpine factory on the outskirts of Telfs in Austria where the company also manufacturers their range of tele handlers and crawler excavators. The PR 716 is one of seven machines in the range which is topped off by the impressive 70t plus PR 776 high drive machine. With an operating weight between 13.3 and 15.8 tonnes, the dozer has been delivered in LGP specification which includes 711mm track shoes on a 2.6m track frame. There is just a single arm option on the PR 716 with the manufacturer fitting inside mounted draft arms with the hydraulic cylinders fitted low down giving an unobstructed view from the seat. Two blade options are available with a fixed six way or hinged corner six-way version designed to reduce transport width to under 3m and therefore negating the requirement for a movement order in the UK. Paul has opted for the fixed version with a width of 3.5m. To the rear of the tractor Liebherr offers a drawbar or three-shank ripper but Paul has opted for a bespoke 5-shank version allowing material to be broken up into smaller pieces. 

The angular shape of the G8 design allows a class leading view around the machine from the heated, air-suspended seat. The cab is mated to the chassis on a series of hydroelastic mountings to reduce vibration and noise transfer from both the engine and hydrostatic transmission. Unlike many competitor’s machines, Liebherr have fitted a tilting mechanism to the cab allowing simple and easy access to the transmission components within the chassis below. Upgrades to the internal fixtures and fittings of the cab take it above and beyond its competitors according to Paul and, as we previously mentioned, the angled seat allows a perfect view through the fully glazed doors to each corner of the blade and to the ripper mounted to the rear. Paul is also very complimentary about the controls in the cab. “The way you can adjust everything to suit your seating and operating position is ideal, the controls are effortless to use and allows you to easily undertake the finest of grading jobs. The slim dashboard is filled with the Liebherr touchscreen which provides Paul the ability to access machine health and operating figures and gives him the possibility to change certain operating modes. 

Liebherr’s G8 range of dozers have been upgraded with a series of in-built operator aides. The new assistance systems include three levels of operator support: Free Grade for active blade stabilisation during fine grading; Definition Grade for automatic blade positioning when creating simple 2D surfaces and 3D Grade from Topcon as optional GNSS machine control for modelling complex terrain forms. In addition, there is an option order factory installed ready-kits, which allow a range of machine control systems from Trimble and Leica to be retrofitted in the field. Paul has opted for the Leica option to compliment his systems on the excavators. As Paul is a firm believer in making his operations as productive as possible, he has specified the dozer Leica ready to match his two excavators with the system supplied and fitted by the UK’s leading machine control specialists OnGrade.  

The first job for the dozer was near Leeds where Paul and his team were constructing an access road into a new commercial development. Earmarked for a development of several large distribution warehouses, Paul and his team were required to install the new access road, roundabout and a series of attenuation ponds along with the surface and foul drainage for the site.

With Liam Schofield in the R 934 G8 digging out one of the first attenuation ponds, Paul’s son Blake ferried the material across the site for Paul to push out and fill a small area. Working with the Liebherr’s Free Grade system, Paul very quickly dealt with each 30 tonne load of heavy muck dropped from the ADT trimming it to a rough level.

With the shape of the pond taking place, Paul quickly swapped over to the Leica MC1 system and showed off the ability of the PR 716. Sitting at the top of the pond Paul set the revs on the Liebherr and edged it onto the slope. With the information relayed from the model for the site in the MC1 system, Paul was left to ensure the Liebherr stayed on the slope. The hydrostatic drive on the dozer allows infinite control over speed and power and Paul put this to the test accurately cutting the batter to the pond on a smooth and constant curve.

Paul has been impressed with the early performance of the dozer and in particular, its fuel economy. Powered by a StageV, 4.5 litre Liebherr diesel engine. The four-cylinder engine fits snugly inside the slim and steeply sloping bonnet and can be accessed easily via the large panels on both sides of the tractor. Early fuel figures indicate the dozer on a mix of hard pushing and trimming work is returning just 9.5 litre per hour.

Whilst the dozer will not be in constant operation, the ability to use it as and when it’s required increases its value for Paul. “We plan our work out weeks in advance and usually know when and for how long a dozer is required for.” He comments “Having the ability to use it for certain operations we might have put an excavator to do, allows us far more flexibility for us.”