News: Construction

2020-03-23

Komatsu Launches SMARTCONSTRUCTION Retrofit Kit

This article appeared in the March 2020 issue of PowerTALK™ News

March 23, 2020–Komatsu has launched the SMARTCONSTRUCTION Retrofit kit, the add-on kit to offer ICT capabilities, such as 3D machine guidance and payload measurement, to conventional construction equipment in Japan in late April through LANDLOG Ltd.

Akihiro Komuro
Akihito Komuro

Conventional construction equipment with no ICT capabilities account for over 98% of all construction equipment working on construction sites in Japan. When the SMARTCONSTRUCTION Retrofit kit is added to conventional equipment, it will enable the equipment to use ICT functions, such as 3D machine guidance and payload measurement, about on par with ICT-intensive equipment.

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2020-03-22

CHINA REPORT, March 2020

This article appeared in the March 2020 issue of PowerTALK News

Beijing Municipal Passes Emission Off-Road Regulation

The  Beijing Municipal government officially published an emission regulation paper March 9, 2020.  The regulation is effective May 1, 2020.

Source: Beijing Municipal Government    Read The Article

PSR Analysis: Coronavirus has changed many things in China, but it is not going to delay the implementation or reduce the determination of the Beijing local government to curb air pollution.

Starting in May, we will see more stringent emission regulations and more law enforcement of off-road machines. The regulation gives local government more authority and convenient access to emission device details.  For the first time, this regulation provides regional coordination among Beijing and its neighboring provinces like Hebei and Tianjin.  They are not the only region to do this; more and more cities in Yangtze and Zhujiang Delta region are coordinating on legislation and law enforcement in efforts to curb air pollution. PSR

Qin Fen is Business Development Manager-China

2020-03-12

CONEXPO Day 3, CONEXPO

Wacker Neuson Plate Tamper and Compactor

The batteries on these machines run 60 minutes and charge in 80 minutes, which Wacker believes is enough for a typical work day. The machines are surprisingly quiet, given the type of work they do, and they have the added benefit of not emitting fumes into deep excavations with no air flow. The shock system is sufficient that the vibrations barely reach the battery, and they’ve had no issues with vibrations affecting the batteries so far. Unlike with other larger construction applications, and more like in the lawn and garden segment, Wacker believes the demand is already there for battery-powered equipment, and customers will be the ones driving a complete transition to battery rather than OEMs.

CONEXPO Day 1, CONEXPO 2020

EDITOR’S NOTE: Eric Best, engine research analyst at Power Systems Research, is walking the floor at CONEXPO 2020, looking for new engine and power train products. Here is his report on two innovative companies.

Eric Best
Eric Best

FPT Industrial

FPT has bought out a methane/natural gas company, a battery company, and a hydrogen company, and my contact has no worries about the future of electrification or alternative fuels.

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2020-02-25

2020 Wheel Loaders/Dozers Production Forecast: 20,200

This is an updated version of an article that initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.

This is the estimate by Power Systems Research of the number of Wheel Loaders to be produced in the United States in 2020.

Carol Turner
Carol Turner

This information comes from industry interviews and from two proprietary databases maintained by Power Systems Research: EnginLink™ , which provides information on engines, and OE Link™, a database of equipment manufacturers.

Market Share: With combined plant totals of 47%, Caterpillar leads in production of Wheel Loaders/Dozers in the United States. In second position is Deere with 22%. Third, is Case New Holland with 8%.

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We Expect 2020 NA Overall OEM Production To Be Flat

This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.

SUMMARY.  The North American economy remained stable in 2019 and pure economic conditions as well as fundamentals in the region were favorable. Most industries performed very well, and the short-term outlook remains stable to flat for most market segments. However, we see many new developments that could suggest a shift in the trend.

Yosyf Sheremeta
Yosyf Sheremeta

Consumer confidence declined slightly in December, following a moderate increase in November.  The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index stood at 126.5 in December, 1.4 points higher than in September 2019. 

Per Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board: “While consumers’ assessment of current conditions improved, their expectations declined, driven primarily by a softening in their short-term outlook regarding jobs and financial prospects. While the economy hasn’t shown signs of further weakening, there is little to suggest that growth, and in particular consumer spending, will gain momentum in early 2020.”

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