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Japan
24-11-'03

Nabekai’s second SK1600D
 
Nabekai , Japanese largest demolition contractor, is the proud owner of a second Kobelco SK1600D High Reach Demolition machine. The machine can reach as high as 50.86mtr., a length long enough to reach a 17-story building. The two machines are specially "Nabekai painted". More info about the SK1600D can be found at HRD news 2002
                          

     

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England
12-09-'03

UK’s biggest excavator-based demolition machine
 
UK’s largest excavator-based machine, incorporating a 50-meter working pin height will be used to demolish the ancient Norfolk and Norwich hospital
  
The monster demolition machine has just been put into operation by the contracted National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC) member-company 777 Demolition and Haulage Limited. It was recently purchased from HM Plant, who is the sole distributor of Hitachi construction equipment in the UK.
 
The decision to purchase the huge machine was based on the Kocurek design. It was necessary for the machine to be modified. Kocurek Excavators Ltd. carried out the essential work. The machine, a Hitachi EX1200-5C, has an operating weight of 130 tones and is fitted with 50-meter “Ultra High Reach” demolition equipment. The telescopic section can be fully extended in less than three minutes from a working pin height of 32 to 50 meters.
 
Although the imposing machine matches the largest working unit already in existence – a more expensive 170-tonne crane-based machine incorporating fixed extensions – Kocurek opted for a design with a compact telescopic boom, which allows the use of a smaller base machine, resulting in considerably reduced capital outlay. The comprehensive single-rigging package also eliminates the time-consuming need to remove and store fixed sections that are capable of reaching different working heights.
 
One of the impending tasks for the excavator, once delivered to the client, will be the demolition of the old Norfolk and Norwich hospital. Due to the brief received for the contract, 777 required a machine that would be suitable in order for them to tender. The machine, which was modified specifically with this contract in mind, will demolish the site’s two tower blocks to make way for a new housing development.
 
Sales Director of Kocurek Ron Callan, is delighted to have had the heavy responsibility of producing the record-breaking machine: “When we entered preliminary discussions with HM Plant and 777, the initial plan was an 80-tonne base unit to carry 40-meter “Ultra High Reach” Demolition Equipment. Over time this grew and the specification for the EX1200-5C was agreed. Working closely with the customer and HM Plant we have achieved our joint goal and Kocurek is extremely pleased with the result.”
 
Managing Director of 777 Michael Pearce said: “We are very pleased with the relationship and proactive attitude of Kocurek. We needed to get details of the machine finalized in order to tender for the contract in Norwich. Without the advice and support from HM Plant and Kocurek, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve this. It has been a fantastic, challenging project… and I am delighted with the finished product.”

Peter O’Malley, Sales executive of HM Plant, echoed the above: “777 Demolition and Haulage is a well established company and we are pleased that they chose HM Plant for their purchase. HM Plant’s extensive knowledge of the industry, coupled with the reliability and performance of the precision-manufactured Zaxis machines, allowed all objectives to be met successfully. The EX1200-5C is an ideal unit for demolition and dismantling projects. The modifications… by Kocurek will allow 777 to adhere to all their contract requirements. We look forward to working with those involved in this exciting project in the future.’’   
Source: HM Plant
 
This EX1200-5C HRD excavator will replace the Komatsu PC750SE-6 that was sold to Brown & Mason. This company now owns two Komatsu PC750SE-6's and one PC450-6 High Reach Demolition excavators.


Italy
12-09-'03

Rumors about very high HRD excavator
 
The Italy based boom-manufacturer CMO2 is still leading the HRD height records. With the construction of the 55mtr. HRD excavator for Despe, (which we still haven't seen in action) and the PMI 980 with 50mtr. HRD-boom, they produced the impossible. To stay ahead of the competition they now are building an even higher custom build HRD excavator. Rumors spread say it will be well above 65mtr. Even heights of 83mtr. are being told. 
We will wait and see.


Netherlands
12-09-'03

H.J. van Vliet builds Etec 834 HRD excavator
 
Etec dealer H.J. van Vliet was contacted earlier this year to build a High Reach Demolition  excavator for a Russian demolition contractor. Van Vliet used it know-how to build them "the 40 tons workhorse Etec 834" fitted with a 22mtr. CMO2-based HRD-boom. The machine was build at van Vliet's headquarters in Zevenhuizen in Holland. It was finished well in time to ship it to Russia to it's proud new owner, which already completed two jobs whit it's new tool.
  

          

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Belgium
12-09-'03

New boom for Cat 345B Series II UHD
 

Caterpillar launches the new improved 345B series II UHD excavator. This 50/64 tons machine is presented with a certain number of improvements intended to increase the productivity and to simplify transport between the demolition sites. Among these improvements:
 

 
The new Cat 345B-II UHD simply build for demolition



Ultra High Demolition boom.  
With its maximum pin height of 25,6mtr. and a forward reach of  16,1mtr, it is build for durability in tough demolition applications.
Boom Hook system.
 
It reduces the time needed to remove and refit the ultra-high and short nose boom Linkages. Also hydraulic quick disconnects to reduce removal/refit times.
Hydraulic tilting cabin. 
Which is completely integrated in the higher frame in order to improve the visibility without increasing the height during transportation. 
Hydraulic adjustable undercarriage. 
This option makes it possible to improve stability and reduce  time necessary to adjust it from working to transport position. 
 


Sweden
12-09-'03

Volvo's new B-series...
 
Following on from the launch of the Volvo B-series excavators at the beginning of this year, Volvo Construction Equipment now offers their EC290B, EC360B and EC460B models with modular equipment systems (Kocurek).
This can enable them to be changed from standard to high reach 3- piece demolition equipment configuration.
 
When rigged for demolition duties with the three-piece high reach configuration on the EC460B, maximum pin height is 26 meters and forward reach is 14mtr.  The machine can operate safely 30 degree’s left and right of centerline over the front of the undercarriage allowing attachments with a maximum weight of 2500kg to be deployed. The machine also features a full dust suppression system, hose rupture valves and a Prolec Total Moment Indicator. To protect the underside of the superstructure, additional 12mm belly plates have been fitted and the additional counterweight weighs in at 5500kg, which gives an operating weight of 54.6 tones without attachment.
 
The maximum pin heights for the EC290B and EC360B are 17m and 20m with operating weights increased to 35.6 tones and 45.0 tones respectively, without attachment.
 
The operator cab has also been extensively modified on all models. The seat now tilts hydraulically and to give excellent upward visibility the cab has a three quarter glazed roof complete with wiper. A full demolition guard is fitted. The B-series cab includes features that enhance operator comfort and convenience. Ergonomically designed, the seat and joystick control consoles can be adjusted independently to conform to individual operators requirements. The cab also has an electronic climate control (ECC) as standard.
 
An expanded window area without crossbar and with larger window wiping area with parallel working wipers means the B-series excavators have improved visibility and operating safety.
 
Additional features include shock reducing mounts and sound-absorbing material for minimal noise and shock levels; an additional rear-view mirror with a extended viewing area; operator friendly instrument panel; and extra storage behind the seat and more leg room. The new over-pressurized cab and highly efficient ventilation system also provides a more comfortable and cleaner operating environment.
 

     

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Germany
30-08-'03

Demolition of Administrative multistoried building C 660
Free space for developing new center in the industrial park Höchst

The demolition of the former Administrative multistory building C 660 is one of the largest demolition projects in Germany at this moment. The first new buildings at the new, trailblazing future project for the industrial estate, should be finished at the end of 2005, demolition should be finished at the end of 2003. 

The project is led by Infraserv,and demolition contractor Laubscher GmbH is asked to bring down the 54 meters high C 660 building. 
The highest floors are being demolished using the top-down method. Small excavators together with bobcats and taking down 3 floors. Together with a crane to take down large pieces to reduce possible large vibrations.

One of the companies HRD excavators is then used to take down the next floors.
This Cat 5080 UHD excavator reaches 43 meters high and will eat down the multistory building. For the minimization of dust the High Reach Demolition excavator is equipped with water nozzles, which strike down resulting dust immediately. 
C 660 will altogether leave approximately 26,000 tons of building debris. Approximately 80 percent of it can be recycled. This is 20,000 tons of clean, re-usable building material. 
Source: http://www.infraserv.com   Click here to see demolition in progress: (photo-album)  

  

        

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England
30-08-'03

Exploding job for Hofstede-Groep
 

After a Gas explosion the Hofstede-group was called in to take out the blown away section and stabilize the surrounded sections of a 5-story apartment building. Before beginning with the actual demolition, the blown-away section was secured to search for the cause of this major explosion. 

Hofstede was called in an hour after the actual explosion, and brought in their special equipment. One of them is the Hitachi EX400LC-2 High Reach Demolition excavator.
"This tool is the safest demolition method. Everything is at point of collapsing, so eating small pieces from a save distance is the only way to do this job." According to a spokesman from the company.
 

 

             

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France
03-06-'03

Intermat 2003
 
After the Bauma, Intemat is the most important exhibition. Also for the demolition-industry , Intermat provides it visitors with many new products. 
As for HRD technology there were 6 new machines at Intermat. Many of these machines were also at the FIDER 2003 Exhibition in Spain.

The fist HRD machine was the Komatsu PC340LCD-7.
This machine is the first Dash 7 HRD excavator from Komatsu. The dash 7 will provide it's new owner with all the new improved specialties. 
One of the first PC340LCD-7 HRD excavators was sold at the FIDER 2003 exhibition in Pamplona (Spain) 3 - 6 April. It was sold to Derribos Arper SL. in Spain, a company that already owned a Komatsu PC340LCD-6 HRD excavator.
 

       

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Outside we found the second HRD machine; the Liebherr R934B-V.
This new machine from Liebherr is with it's 18mtr. the smallest Liebherr HRD excavator. 
It has an adjustable undercarriage, tilting cab and many other features can be fitted like a dust suspension system (shown here at Intermat).
Several R934B-V HRD excavators are already sold. Companies like Stork, Adec-Démolition, Toscana Scavi, and others, are using this new Liebherr demolition machine. 
 

    

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At the demonstration area outside we found another HRD machine.
The Volvo EC360BLC is only one of the 3 B-series HRD machines Volvo is manufacturing at the moment. 
At the demonstration area they showed how fast the standard boom could be replaced with the HRD boom. Kocurek is the builder of this special boom system. More news on the new HRD Volvo B-series later.
 

       

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When we went back in we entered the Caterpillar dome.
Cat has brought it's CAT 330CL HRD excavator to Intermat. there are already working 12 of these machines in Europe. The release of the new Cat 385B HRD excavator will probably be at Bauma 2004. 
 

       

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As we mentioned earlier Case is manufacturing a full range package of HRD excavators now. At Intermat they showed the CX330. All the new HRD excavators from Case are being fitted with a Kocurek Demolition boom system.
 

 

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The last HRD machine shown on Intermat was the Kobelco SK330LC.
This machine went to Poullard (France demolition contractor). 
Kobelco also showed pictures at Intermat of it's larger HRD excavators in Japan (the SK1000DW and SK1600D) to see if there was any interest in this machines in Europe. 
 

        

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Japan
01-05-'03

Hitachi reaches for the highest...
 
After Kobelco, Hitachi now sold it's first HRD rig that reaches well above 50mtr. With the EX1400K, Hitachi puts itself on the highest place. 
The machine, that reaches 52mtr. was sold last month to the Japanese contactor; Marutoku Corporation, and provides it's owner with the latest HRD technology. This company already owned several Hitachi HRD excavators with different heights.   
  

     

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Meanwhile in Europe Kocurek is currently making a multi-section HRD boom on a Hitachi EX1200. This boom will also be higher than 50mtr. More info will appear as the machine is being delivered.


Netherlands
14-03-'03

Large scale Demolition in Maastricht (The Netherlands)
 

The historic city center of Maastricht is undergoing major demolition-action. One of the largest projects, is the demolition of the old State buildings. Sagro, one of the Netherlands biggest demolition contractors, is chosen as contractor to do the job. It has several pieces of equipment at the site. One of them is the Hitachi EX550LCH with it's Verachtert 3-piece High Reach Demolition boom. The machine is capable of reaching 27mtr. above ground level. 
 
A spokesman said; "It's a mean Demolition Machine". The machine was brought in because of the height of these buildings. Due to the many safety regulations balling is in these cases no option. The many stores and market are making this site a very popular public area. The church and other old buildings near the demolition site are another problem. Dust and seismic activity therefore had to be reduced to almost zero.  More pictures in HRD photo album
 

 

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England
08-03-'03

Controlled Demolition Group in city centre demolition
 

Controlled Demolition Group found themselves in a series of 'tight spots' during their demolition work on the 800,000 sq ft Central shopping center development – but none of them posed a problem.
 
The £1.5 million contract involved demolishing a former C&A store, a multi-story car park and the Mecca Bingo Hall beneath it, as well as demolishing adjacent shops and the dismantling of a pedestrian footbridge – all just meters away from Croydon's tramway and bus routes.
 
Controlled Demolition Group employed a wide range of demolition techniques to complete the contract with minimum disruption to the public and transport systems.
Operatives worked painstakingly by hand, using hand tools and small machines, to demolish the top two stores of the car park while bingo sessions and parking continued undisturbed beneath.
 
And the firm's custom-made 105 ton super long reach machine, plus a whole arsenal of smaller long reach machines, were brought in to demolish huge sections of the structure swiftly, safely and with minimum disruption to the public.
Source: Controlled Demolition   
    
 

 

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Netherlands
31-01-'03

First job for Cat 330C UHD
 
Dutch demolition contractor Vermeulen BV. ,as mentioned earlier, bought one of Caterpillar's new Ultra High Demolition machines; the Cat 330C UHD.
Time for us to go out and see what this machine is capable of. 
The first job for this 330C UHD is the demolition of an old military site in the center of Middelburg. 
The highest building at the site is only 17mtr. high, so it is a piece of cake for this 21mtr. machine. It also picks up large pieces of steel at ground level. A very well balanced machine, with great reach at ground level as well as in height.

     

             

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United States
03-01-'03

Jewell Manufacturing largest Excavator converter in North America
 
The background on Jewell Manufacturing is anchored in building extreme duty excavator conversions for the logging industry of the Northwest United States and Canada. They have nearly 20 years experience in building complete "shovel logger extreme" packages, which are the workhorse of the woods. In addition they've also built long reach fronts, dredging fronts, scrap fronts, material handler fronts, mass excavator fronts, other special fronts, grapples, clamshell buckets, pile drivers, etc. 
Jewell Manufacturing is the leading North American source for high reach demolition conversions. Manufacturers like Cat, Komatsu, Liebherr all have their factory packages, but Jewell seems to be quite successful competing when  their in on the deal. They offer tremendous flexibility and are able to adapt and adjust their offering to exactly meet the requirements of each individual customer.
 
Some of our recent projects include:
 
HITACHI EX450LC w/140' telescoping 3 piece high reach front (w/transport joint & custom drop deck boom transport trailer), lift & tilt cab positioner, cab & machinery guarding, hydraulic extend undercarriage, additional counterweight, cctv 2 camera color attachment monitor, attachment hydraulics & controls, machine stability alarm, 0-400 gpm dust control/wash down/fire fighting pump, etc.
 
KOMATSU PC750LC w/150' telescoping 3 piece high reach front (w/transport joint & custom drop deck boom transport trailer), jointed excavator main boom w/cradle, lift & tilt cab positioner, cab & machinery guarding, hydraulic extend undercarriage, additional counterweight, cctv attachment/backup 4 camera/2 color monitor, attachment hydraulics & controls, machine stability alarm, 0-400 gpm dust control/wash down/fire fighting pump, etc.
 
KOMATSU PC450LC w/90' 3 piece high reach front (w/transport joint & cradle), jointed excavator main boom, tilt-back cab positioner, cab & machinery guarding, additional counterweight, cctv 2 camera color attachment monitor, etc.
 
For more information visit the Jewell manufacturing website.

  

          

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