DEMOLITION INSIGHT FROM JAPAN


Finning UK & Ireland and Caterpillar®


played a key role in an


ambitious European Demolition Association study tour to Japan. Demolition magazine editor Mark Anthony sent this exclusive report.


As one of around 50 delegates from the European Demolition Association, I was privileged to spend more than a week absorbing the cultural and business differences between Japan and the European continent.


There were a number of key differences that really stood out for me. For example, hydraulic breakers are widely available, but they are used sparingly to reduce the noise and vibration experienced by neighbouring residents. Shears and pulverisers tend to feature wide-opening jaws to accommodate the massive beams and columns used to quake-proof Japanese buildings. Many of the concrete pulverisers employed by demolition contractors feature integrated magnets. This clever addition allows steel reinforcement to be removed and segregated on an ongoing basis, rather than as a separate activity, which is the method used in Europe.


Equally impressive is the Japanese fondness of mini track-mounted telescopic cranes and telescopic handlers equipped with a dust suppression system.


Because these units can be deployed at height, contractors can deliver water precisely where it is needed, minimising water wastage.


Furthermore, much of the demolition process takes place on large steel plate mats laid down by the contractor. The reason for this is to minimise the possibility of ground contamination from diesel or fuel spills and to make the post-contract clean-up operation simpler.


First look at the new Cat 340 SB


One of the trip highlights was a visit to the Caterpillar Akashi factory. Here we were greeted “in the flesh” by the new Cat 340 SB demolition excavator, launched earlier this year. Despite its 40-tonne operating weight, the machine looks the part and is certainly demolition-ready. It has a 6.9 metre boom and a 3.9 metre stick that provides a work- ing height of up to 14 metres. When you get up close to the Cat 340 SB it really is impressive, and I am certain it will prove popular with UK & Ireland contractors when Finning brings it to the market.


More to come from Caterpillar…


Whilst looking at the Cat 340 SB we all noticed a second and even larger demolition excavator lurking in the background. We managed to get the opportunity to climb all over the unnamed machine, but photography was strictly forbidden, as it is still in concept form. I did however find out that is scheduled to be market-ready around the summer of 2020 and I can assure readers, it will be well worth the wait.


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