Electric power is also set to become more popular for small ride-on site dumpers. Along with its first fully electric 1.7-tonne E217e zero tail swing excavator, Wacker Neuson has developed a 1.5-tonne capacity high-tip wheeled machine, designated the DW15e. Ausa has been trialling a 1-tonne payload D100AHA wheeled electric site dumper on sites in Paris.
Potential for cabbed dumpers
Ausa has trialled its D100AHA electric site dumper in Paris.
Site dumpers continue to be popular in non- operated plant hire fleets and it is anticipated that many more cabbed
machines will be used in the future. A cab protects the driver from the elements - as operators of many larger mini excavators know. It also reduces the likelihood of trips and slips on steps when continually leaving the dumper during loading, and eliminates the risk of the operator being struck by other machines whilst standing on the site. However, really definitive guidance must be provided on exactly how the dumper cab should be constructed to allow the operator to remain safely within it during loading.
Mecalac is moving down in size with its cabbed dumpers, having shown prototypes of its 3-tonne payload 3MDX at Bauma and Plantworx. The latter show also revealed several articulated site dumpers fitted with the Moorend triangular track systems. The wet weather at Peterborough allowed the manufacturer to demonstrate the capabilities of a track-equipped 2-tonne payload TA2SEH.
At Plantworx, Wacker Neuson revealed a Moorend track system on a 6-tonne payload DV60 Dual View dumper. This concept, having a cab and a 180° rotating seat with controls on a wheeled dumper is gaining popularity in the UK, judging by the significant numbers seen on Smart Motorway construction sites. Putting tracks on this sort of machine can also facilitate work on river banks and canal towpaths.
Having a reversible seat and controls also improves visibility for operators of fully loaded dumpers when traversing sites. Lower profile skips are another solution that could enhance safety in the future.
Visibility is not a problem with the smallest walk-behind/stand-on-the- back dumpers. Here again, there is a move to electric drive and Tufftruk reports that the majority of its little walk-behind Truxta dumpers now have electric motors (see our dedicated article on page 45).
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Developed from its small electric dumpers, Ecovolve has produced this loader variant.
Innovation is apparent on small battery-powered machines in this category from Ecovolve. At Bauma 2019 the company revealed the prototype of a new loader version. The EL500 has a safe working load of 500kg and can be fitted with a multi-purpose loader bucket.
Avant Tecno has now launched a number of fully electric, compact articulated wheel loaders. Their lithium-ion batteries can be recharged on site using a purpose-built portable fast charging station: perhaps this could become an accepted practice on sites in the future.
Attachments across the spectrum
Indeed, we are likely to see more machines being used with different types of attachments for a wider spectrum of applications - and, in turn, creating more hire opportunities. The mini excavator is now much more than just a digging machine and a good example of this versatility is a Cat machine specially fitted with fence post installation attachments.
A Cat 304.5E2 XTC specially configured for fence post driving.
The 4-tonne class Cat 304.5E2 XTC (Xtra Tool Carrier) mini has a skid steer coupler interface in place of its front blade, allowing it to use a multi-purpose loader bucket and other attachments. Its flat bottom loader bucket can carry fence posts to where they are needed before the machine’s Grab-N-Drive GD20S attachment from Exac-One pushes them into the ground.
Tiltrotators are now increasingly commonplace on larger excavators in the UK and more are being fitted to compact models. Engcon offers versions for machines weighing as little as 1 tonne and the company believes that a simple, cost-effective plug-and-play solution could be the mass-market option of the future.
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