Conexpo-Con/Agg 2017 Preview
First published in the February 2017 issue of Quarry Management as US Showcase
Las Vegas hosts the triennial five-day exhibition for the North American construction equipment sector
Taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Centre, in Las Vegas, from 7-11 March 2017, Conexpo-Con/Agg is North America’s biggest construction plant and equipment trade fair. The triennial exhibition attracts more than 2,500 exhibitors and occupies 232,000m2 of showground space, championing innovation by promoting new technologies, products and services.
Conexpo-Con/Agg will also run a comprehensive education programme during its five days, with over 150 seminars emphasizing industry issues and trends, and advances in technology.
This year’s theme – ‘Image What’s Next’ – reflects the vision for the construction materials and equipment sectors, as the show focuses on how embracing new technologies can help businesses reduce downtime, maximize efficiency at job sites and minimize waste while increasing bottom-line profits and improving safety. A new 7,000m2 ‘Tech Experience’ pavilion has been planned; dedicated entirely to presenting emerging construction innovations that are driving change and process improvement across the industry.
Here, we take a look at some of the many new items of equipment, systems and services that visitors to Conexpo-Con/Agg 2017 will be able to see for the first time.
Asphalt Drum Mixers, Inc. will be exhibiting their EX Series asphalt plants with single-drum counterflow technology. The compact plants are said to offer the longest aggregate drying and mixing times in the industry and have been developed to process up to 50% RAP content. Available in portable or stationary models, the EX Series units have a maximum production capacity of 425 tonnes/h and feature separate drying/mixing zones to deliver optimum heat transfer and fuel efficiency. The manufacturer says this virtually eliminates unsafe hydrocarbon emissions, a common problem found in other drum mixing plants.
Caterpillar will be showcasing no less than 40 machines in two separate areas totalling 60,000ft2. New products on show will include: the 390F and 336F XE excavators; 986K and 950 GC wheel loader models; and 746 articulated truck. As well as the latest earthmoving machinery, the company will also be unveiling three new cold planer models – the PM825, PM622 and PM312. In addition, Caterpillar will be highlighting their Connect Technologies service packages, which are designed to support customers seeking maximum plant and equipment uptime, and fuel efficient and lowest cost-per-tonne operation.
A wide range of products and machinery attachments will be displayed on the Doosan stand, including: excavators (crawler and wheeled models), wheel loaders and articulated dumptrucks. Among the key exhibits will be latest DA40-5 ADT model and DX300SLR-5 and DX490LC-5 crawler excavators. The South Korean company will also be showing the DL250TC-5, DL420-5 and DL550-5 wheel loaders.
Louisiana-based DSC Dredge, LLC will be using Conexpo-Con/Agg to display their dredging solutions which range from simple systems to the most complicated custom dredges for special applications. The company’s base level dredges comprise six different model lines: Merlin; Shark; Barracuda; Moray; Badger; and Wolverine, all of which have been designed to meet their own unique applications while boosting efficiency and reducing operating costs for the end-user.
Conexpo-Con/Agg 2017 will mark the North American launch of JCB’s ground-breaking Hydradig 110W. Providing a brand new concept in tool carrying, the JCB Hydradig has a sturdy all-wheel-drive, four-wheel-steer chassis based on the equipment manufacturer’s proven Loadall telescopic handler. For the North American market, the machine is powered by an Ecomax Tier 4 Final/Stage IV-compliant diesel engine. According to JCB, the compact Hydradig offers ‘unprecedented visibility, stability, manoeuvrability, mobility and serviceability’.
Keestrack, global specialists in mobile crushing and screening equipment, will be exhibiting their latest products for contractors in the aggregates and recycling industries. Among the mobile equipment on show will be the new light and compact KT-H4 cone crusher, which has a 250 tonnes/h processing capacity and a wide variety of concaves to allow high flexibility in secondary or tertiary production of highly defined end fractions. Keestrack will also be displaying their 33-tonne R3 tracked impactor, the smallest unit within the company’s impact crusher range.
McLanahan will be showing three new products – a cross belt sampler, the latest MAX Series inclined vibrating screen and an updated modular wet-processing plant – all designed to help customers increase production and efficiency. As part of the company’s commitment to extending the service life of machinery, a range of wear solutions will be displayed, alongside the number of other processing solutions (in the form of 3D models).
Powerscreen will be showcasing their Premiertrak 600 jaw crusher, Warrior 600 mobile screen and Warrior 2400 unit. According to the company, the Warrior range is the widest in the market with seven machines of varying sizes to meet a variety of customer requirements. The Premiertrak 600 (available in diesel-hydraulic and diesel-electric variants) has been designed to deliver maximum productivity and performance with increased uptime and low running costs.
RDS Technology, specialists in on-board weighing systems, will be presenting their extensive range of weighing scales and ancillary products, including: the Weighlog Vue; Weighlog 3030; Weighlog Ex; iSosync; and Liftlog 1000. Designed to operate within the fastest loading environments and toughest of conditions, the Weighlog Vue scale helps reduce cycle times and maximize tonnes/h performance on wheel loaders, while Weighlog Ex is a retrofitted scale suited to tracked and wheeled 360° excavators and materials-handling machines.
Focusing on total cost of ownership, availability of service and parts, and machine safety, Sandvik will be unveiling their next generation of crushing and screening solutions, including: the QJ341+ mobile jaw crusher; CS550 cone crusher; UI310+ wheeled impact crusher; and QE441 free flow mobile scalper. ‘We’re driving innovation throughout our entire portfolio, from new equipment to ever smarter customer service,’ said Jeff Heinemann, vice president (sales area USA) of Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology. ‘We will showcase a compelling offering of products and services, all designed to benefit our customers’ bottom line in terms of increased safety and productivity.’
The main exhibit on the Terex Finlay stand will be the I-140 impact crusher, which features an advanced electronic control system that monitors and controls the speed of the rotor and regulates the heavy-duty vibrating feeder with integrated pre-screen to maintain a consistent feed of material into the impact chamber for optimal crushing. The machine is also equipped with a fully hydraulic apron-setting feature, which provides convenient and efficient adjustment of the aprons.
Taking centre stage on the Terex MPS stand will be the new CRC1150S portable closed-circuit plant, which comprises the tried and tested TC1150 300hp cone crusher and TSV6203 three-deck screen. Terex MPS will also relaunch their Simplicity brand at the show, as part of the company’s reorganization structure to deliver highly customized solutions for customers demanding vibrating equipment requirements.
Volvo CE will be showcasing an extensive range of products, including new models and ‘industry-changing’ concept vehicles. Among the machines on display will be the EC750E excavator, never-before-seen wheel loaders and the largest articulated hauler the company has built to date – the A60H. Making its first public appearance in North America will be the HX02 – a concept battery-electric, fully autonomous load carrier. The Swedish manufacturer will also be unveiling ActiveCare Direct, which, Volvo say, is the industry’s first telematics monitoring service offered at OEM level and supported through their own dealer network.
