Plant Manager's Journal articles from May 2005

Plant Manager's Journal archives from May 2005

Help is at hand.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The plant industry faces a regulatory onslaught on many fronts: vibration; work at height; red diesel; and working time for drivers and crews. A look through this month's bumper issue shows just how much there is to cope with--and ongoing...

Work at Height regs to change work methods.(Construction Plant-hire Association)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The impact of the Work at Height Regulations (WAHR) could cause fundamental changes in the plant industry, the Construction Plant-hire Association's (CPA) plant seminar was told. Ian Greenwood, who heads the HSE's falls-from-height team,...

Call for height training to be mandatory.(operators must be trained to use powered access equipment)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Access equipment hirers said the new Work at Height Regulations won't have the desired impact unless all operators are trained to a recognised level. Harry Waters, sales and marketing director of Nationwide Access, acknowledges that the...

Plant firms win Queen's Awards.(Queen's Awards for Enterprise)( JCB)(Terex Pegson)(Extec)(TPA Trax Portable Access)
May 1, 2005... A number of construction equipment manufacturers have been rewarded in this year's Queen's Awards for Enterprise including JCB, Terex Pegson, Extec and TPA Trax Portable Access. JCB's Backhoe Loader Business Unit received an award in the...

Miller UK and Hill's patent dispute settled out of court.(NEWS)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... A patent dispute between Miller UK and Hill Engineering has been settled out of court, with the latter entering into a royalty license agreement. This allows it to continue production of its Hill Maglock Automatic Locking Quick Hitch. ...

Turnover up at Brandon.(Brandon Hire PLC)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Brandon Hire has posted results for the period ending 31 December 2004 showing a 23% increase in turnover to [pounds sterling]48.7m ([pounds sterling]39.6m in 2003) and operating profit before goodwill up 35% to [pounds sterling]6.1m ([pounds...

Old boys' club.(NEWS in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... More than a quarter of plant hire company directors will be aged over 60 by the end of the year, according to Plimsoll. More than half (58%) of the 2,263 directors have been in position for over eight years with only 400 new directors appointed...

Lifting training provider.(NEWS in brief)(Powered Access Certification Ltd.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Training provider Powered Access Certification has established a new subsidiary company, Lifting Equipment Training. The new firm will provide courses aimed at users and hirers of lifting equipment.

ORM wins Euro deal.(NEWS in brief)(ORM Rotochopper)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Norfolk-based ORM Rotochopper is the new European dealership for the US-manufactured Rotochopper range of wood grinding and recycling equipment.

New HQ for JLG UK.(NEWS in brief)(Haed Quarters)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... JLG UK has relocated to new premises in Middleton, north Manchester. The new depot includes warehousing space, a workshop and training facilities.

Versalift expands site.(NEWS in brief)(Versalift Distributors Ltd.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Versalift has added further production capacity to its Burton Latimer site to meet strong demand for its vehicle-mounted platforms. Production capacity has been increased by 20%.

New rules pose problem to industry.(WORKING TIME)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The new limits on working time for transport workers will result in 12,600 more vehicles and require an additional 21,900 drivers, according to the Freight Transport Association. Drivers of vehicles with tachographs are limited to a maximum...

HSE demands workplace tests for hand-held tools.(Health and Safety Executive)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has called on hand-held tool manufacturers to test their products under workplace conditions--and not just in laboratories--in time for the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations. Brian Coles, senior...

HSE warning on jack legs.(Health and Safety Executive)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has issued an alert concerning timber-built temporary accommodation with jack legs, following an incident in which a lorry-mounted crane operator was seriously injured. While offloading a unit, three of...

Wandsworth buys Fruehauf.(COMPANY NEWS)(Wordsworth Holdings PLC)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Wordsworth Holdings, the parent company of Barford site dumpers, has purchased the assets of tipper builder Crane Fruehauf and will move production of its traditional 'bathtub' and Smoothsider tipper trailers to Grantham. Both the...

Excepted vehicle status questioned by CPA.(RED DIESEL)(Construction Products Association)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The CPA is urging plant hirers to complain to their local MP about the proposed removal of excepted vehicles status from mobile cranes, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and the like. In a submission to the government, the CPA argues...

Sage/Hire Concept link-up.(Sage MMS financial computer package)(Syrinx package)(Hire Concept Software)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The latest Sage MMS financial computer package can now be linked with Hire Concept Software's Syrinx package, which is designed for hire companies. Syrinx has traditionally linked with Sage's Line 50 products, but the compatibility with MMS...

UK plant hire share prices 2004/05.(NEWS)(Illustration)
May 1, 2005... UK PLANT HIRE SHARE PRICES 2004/05 PMJ gives the lowdown on share prices for 7 of the industry's leading quoted companies Company Price (p) in Price (p) in Price (p) Price (p) in Apr 2005 Mar 2005...

Cat's S300 B series ready for action.(Caterpillar Works Tools )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Caterpillar Works Tools has launched a new mobile scrap and demolition shear range suitable for hydraulic excavators. The S300 B-series is equipped with field-proven 360[degrees] rotators, which ensure a quick and precise placement of the...

Northerntrack gets the job done for Forshaw.(CONCRETE PROCESSOR)(Walter Forshaw)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... A 4t Northerntrack concrete processor enabled contractor Walter Forshaw to demolish a bridge overnight and minimise disruption on the busy A1 trunk road. The FR35 attachment has a 1m jaw opening and was attached to a Komatsu PC340...

Kerb it.(JCB Excavators Ltd launched Kerbmaster)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... KERB IT: JCB has launched the Kerbmaster, an excavator-mounted rotation grab designed to minimise manual handling of kerbs. The unit is available in two formats: manual rotation grab or hydraulic rotation grab. The manual version is operated...

Nicol scores a first with Volvo excavator.(Nicol of Skene)(AB Volvo)
May 1, 2005... Scotland's first Volvo short-swing radius excavator--an ECR58--has been delivered to Aberdeenshire groundworks and utilities contractor Nicol of Skene. This range of compact excavators was launched last year and company proprietor Derek...

UK Diggers digs deep to expand plant hire fleet.(Butler Reynolds)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Derbyshire-based firm UK Diggers has taken delivery of the UK's first Bobcat T3571 telehandlers as part of an equipment order worth more than [pounds sterling]400,000. Supplied by local dealer Butler Reynolds, the deal also included a...

Lubrizol's retrofit cleaners.(Lubrizol Corp)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Two retrofittable emission control systems with potential for use on construction plant were exhibited by Lubrizol at the CV show: the Unikat Combifilter and the SCR-C system. Lubrizol describes the Unikat Combifilter as the first...

Moog access platform for Blackfriars work.(painting contractor CLC)(Facelift)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The UK's largest underbridge access platform is currently on hire for a maintenance project on London's Blackfriars Bridge. Painting contractor CLC, working on behalf of the City of London Authority, has hired the Moog 230x from access hire...

Class act.(KIT)(Caterpillar)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... CLASS ACT: Caterpillar has launched the 325C LCR, the latest addition to its compact radius excavator range. The company said the 35t operating weight machine is the first minimal radius unit of its class in the European market. Ideal for...

Cab options for Tamrock.(DRILLING)(Sandvik)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Sandvik's new Tamrock top hammer drilling machine can be specified with a cab or without a cab as a remote-control unit. Both the cabbed Ranger unit and the cab-less. Scout are tracked machines with a rotating top structure. A rear-mounted...

M & A spends [pounds sterling]1.2m improving fleet.(M and A Demolition UK Ltd.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... M & A Demolition has added [pounds sterling]1.2 m-worth of kit to its fleet, replacing its single crusher with a pair of Extec C12s fitted with the latest dust suppression equipment. The remaining money was spent on eight Hyundai...

Speedy expansion.(KIT NEWS in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Speedy Hire has opened two new branches in Poole, Dorset and York. The new depots bring the total Speedy UK network up to 303 branches.

Bobcat load sensers.(KIT NEWS in brief)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Bobcat has added load-sensing hydraulics to its 331, 331E, 334 and 430 FastTrack models. The firm said it is the only company to offer load sensing on this class of machine.

Saville buys Tana.(Saville Tractors Group)(Tana UK)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Saville Tractors Group has acquired Tana UK for an undisclosed sum. The company is the British subsidiary of Finnish waste compaction equipment specialist Tana Oy.

CBL's Takeuchi order.(CBL Ltd.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... CBL plant hire has placed an order for 85 Takeuchi mini excavators, ranging in size from 0.8t to 8t. The order combines an overall expansion of its fleet and units for the recently opened depot in Cambridge.

Blythwood buy-up.(Greenshield JCB)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Welwyn Garden City-based hirer Blythewood has purchased four JCB Loadall telehandlers. Supplied by Greenshield JCB, the deal consists of two 12.5t units, one 10.5t machine and a 7.5t handler.

A-Plant's [pounds sterling]1m order.(KIT NEWS in brief)(Genie Industries)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... A-Plant Powered Access has taken delivery of [pounds sterling]1m-worth of equipment from Genie Industries. The order comprises a mixture of articulated booms, stick booms and scissor lifts with working heights up to 26.4m.

Volvo for Bonnar.(Argyll )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Bonnar Sand & Gravel of Cairdow, Argyll has bought its first Volvo machine, an L120E loading shovel. The 19t machine is equipped with a 3.3 [m.sup.3] bucket and is powered by a Volvo electronically controlled low-emission engine.

Live and kicking.(SED 2005)
May 1, 2005... Seeing machines in action is what SED is all about, but with more than 400 exhibitors, where do you start? Our 16-page preview gives highlights of the show section by section to help you plan your visit.

Exhibitor listing: which companies will be at SED 2005 and where you can find them.(Directory)
May 1, 2005... A ASAP SUPPLIES LTD 265 N ABIRD LIMITED 326 A ACE PLANT 510 J ACGB UK LIMIIED 127 A J ADARE LEXICON LIMITED ...

Pick of the bunch: from little dumpers, skid steers and safety lighting, to articulating booms, our judges looked at the best of the best and singled out a winner in each category.(SED AWARDS)
May 1, 2005... Nothing can set a company up for exhibiting its new products at SED better than winning one of the Awards for Excellence. The competition is always fierce and this year was no exception with more than 50 entries spread across the five award...

Equipment takes centre stage: the 39th SED exhibition promises to be yet another construction equipment extravaganza, with a host of manufacturers displaying new machines never before seen in the UK.(SITE EQUIPMENT ZONE)
May 1, 2005... No matter what equipment you are interested in, the SED site equipment zone is probably the place to start your visit. This zone is by far SED's largest area and here you'll find earthmoving equipment, compaction kit, drills and hammers,...

Higher ground: whatever is on visitors' shopping lists--be it tracked platforms or self-propelled booms--a visit to this year's Cranes & Access Village is a must. Will Mann gives a taster of what to expect.(CRANES & ACCESS)
May 1, 2005... Acrane does not have to be a behemoth to make an impression at the Cranes & Access Village at this year's SED. GGR-UnicCranesEurope (Stand8c), distributor for Japanese crane manufacturer Furukawa Unic, will be exhibiting the A094CR for the...

Clean-up time: new legislation affecting the disposal of hazardous waste has led to an upsurge of interest in recycling methods. Paul Howard reports on the latest technology due to be on show at SED.(SITE CLEARANCE)
May 1, 2005... Regulations and money--and machines of course--will be the main topics of conversation in the SED Site Clearance Zone this year. The regulations inspiring animated discussions will be those, like the landfill tax and the raft of new rules...

Roll up, roll up: as always, diversity is the name of the game in the Pavilion at SED. Visitors can never be quite sure what to expect when they arrive in the 'big tent'. This year is no exception.
May 1, 2005... Security systems are well represented in the Pavilion, starting off with ISS Windows' integrated shutter systems, designed to improve the security of portable buildings. The roller shutters are V-value competent and include double-glazed units,...

Get out on the highway: few industries can exist without some mode of transport--be it for materials, personnel or equipment. All of which makes the Truck Zone a must-see part of SED 2005. Geoff Ashcroft takes a look at what visitors could expect to discover in this important sector.(TRUCK ZONE)
May 1, 2005... An opportunity to test vehicles in the demonstration area remains a key feature of the Truck Zone. And this year, visitors will get the opportunity to sample 'The Edge', a challenging obstacle course designed for 4X4 vehicles. Measuring 8m...

Efficiency drive: since its [pounds sterling]142m buyout, HSS has gone from strength to strength. Colin Sowman finds out the secrets of the company's success.(HSS Hire Services Group)
May 1, 2005... Everybody in the hire industry claims they trade on quality of service and that all their competitors undercut their prices to get business. They can't all be right on both counts. However, one company that has some figures to back up such...

Shakin' all over: new regulations covering whole body vibration come into effect within two months. Dan Gilkes looks at the rules, what they mean, and how to comply.(WHOLE BODY VIBRATION)
May 1, 2005... On 6 July 2005, new legislation concerning Whole Body Vibration (WBV) will come into force under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005. Employers will be responsible for assessing the risk of WBV to their employees and minimising...

Dicker's vision: Volvo CE's new managing director, Robert Dicker, tells Colin Sowman about his plans for the company's future.(BUSINESS)(Volvo Construction Equipment)
May 1, 2005... The new managing director of Volvo Construction Equipment, the UK dealership responsible for the sales and support of Volvo construction equipment, is not typical of people in his position. Robert Dicker has not spent his formative years...

Upwardly mobile: mobile crane sales in the UK have increased during the past three years. Martin Cooper examines why this is a thriving market.(EQUIPMENT FOCUS)
May 1, 2005... The past three years have probably been as good as it gets in terms of sales of mobile cranes in the UK. A strong pound, making European-built products relatively cheaper, and an increase in demand for replacement machines, have combined to...

The blue yonder: in our third look at the CPCS plant operator card system, we consider the need to upgrade the red card and explore what's needed to convert it to a blue card, as well as the options available to operators.(TRAINING)(Construction Plant Competence Scheme)
May 1, 2005... Last month, we looked at how to get a red (Trained Operator) CPCS card. Having done so, the holder has three years in which to convert it into a blue or green (Competence) card. Those that fail to do so have to start again with the complete...

Loading old bull.(CHECKOUT)(Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... An essential new member of staff has begun work at the Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park, near Stirling. The facility has acquired a Maniscopic MIT523T telehandler, which has immediately been put to work handling bison manure and...

Power to relief fund.(LCH Generators and Scottish Water donate a generator)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Glasgow based LCH Generators and Scottish Water have combined forces to donate a 415V, 60kVA three-phase generator to power a water purification plant together with two water tanks for the Asian tsunami relief programme. The plant will...

In the picture: win [pounds sterling]50.(CHECKOUT)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... For last month's competition, we resisted the temptation of picking a picture from our Conexpo review, and plumped instead for an Ammann Yanmar zero tailswing excavator from the equipment focus feature. The winner was Louise Hunter of EPL...

Digging Arabia.(Diggerland)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Selling sand to the Arabs has always been regarded as a joke, but that's exactly what the UK's fastest growing Adventure Park has done. Diggerland has opened one of its unique attractions in Dubai, and equipped it with the usual array of...

Events diary.
May 1, 2005... 2005 MAY 4-8 Samoter Verona Exhibition Centre Verona, Italy Tel: +39 045 8298111 MAY 17-19 SED 2005 Fen Farm, Milton Keynes Tel: 020 8652 4810 www.sed.co.uk MAY 17-19 Health & Safety Expo...

Engine lubrication.
May 1, 2005... Modern engines are manufactured to extremely tight tolerances in order to produce the required power using minimum fuel while producing minimum noise, vibration and pollution. The latest oils are designed to keep everything running smoothly but...