Infrastructure development lures equipment manufacturers

December 29, 2009 8:28 am

The fresh resolve of the newly elected government to expand and strengthen the country’s road network has come in as a shot in the   arm for road construction equipment manufacturers to offer newer equipment variants. This will mean quality road infrastructure construction projects with greater shelf life.
 
The decision of the government to strengthen infrastructure through extensively developing the road sector — both pertaining to country and highway roads — has been indeed good news for road construction equipment manufacturers as they will have greater possibilities to market newer equipment with modern features. The possibilities to offer newer equipment would become reinforced based as contractors with larger work volume look for equipment that can provide quality output in a shorter time-frame.
 
With an intention to provide high output products, construction equipment manufacturing major, Greaves Cotton Ltd, introduced 19-ton soil compactors during 2008. The compactors are the highest tonnage of equipment in its class and are well placed for rural road development programme. The equipment are capable of providing high production output. To provide high production output, Greaves, in collaboration with Bomag Germany, manufactures single drum vibratory rollers, tandem vibratory rollers and pneumatic tyred rollers.
 
The equipment have features consisting hydrostatically driven pressurized water sprinkler for lower maintenance, automatic vibration stop and emergency gravity fed water sprinkler, drum offset to prevent damage to road surface, etc.
 
The 19-ton soil compactors are manufactured by Greaves at its new manufacturing plant for road compaction equipment in Gummidipoondi, Tamil Nadu. The newly opened plant is the fourth manufacturing unit of the company’s infrastructure equipment group. The new facility will complement the existing unit and enable the company enhance production capacity from 600 to 1,200 compaction machines per annum.
 
Lured by the business potential in the road construction sector, Telcon introduced during 2008, road construction equipment. Relatively a new player in the segment, the earth moving construction equipment manufacturing major had introduced Tata Lebrero VTA 90 tandem asphalt roller and VM3 soil compactor under Spanish collaboration. The equipment has hydrostatic feature drive on both drums for compact design, two amplitudes with infinite frequency modes for better road finish performance and independent vibration control for both drums. The other features include water-cooled, fuel-efficient engines in compliance with CMVR 1996, auto reversing vibration modes, and high gradability to make the machine work efficiently on slopes. 
 
The other model VM-3, with the highest static linear load, is equipped with hydrostatic drive on wheels with no drive in drums, providing the machine with high gradability. The machines have low turning radius and ecological engine for higher fuel efficiency.
 
Telcon has also been producing TG 14 motor graders. These are indigenously designed and manufactured and claim to be fuel-efficient and eco-friendly. They have microprocessor-controlled features which help in shifting gears by taking into account –engine speed, turbine speed and transmission output speed as input signal for smooth gear shift. Digital unit displays gear selection drive modes and error code. The machine has proper weight distribution enabling it to dig harder ground with stability. The machines have advanced hydraulic systems to provide higher output.
 
The rapidly emerging market potential has also made Caterpillar offer one of its advanced road construction equipment. One of its most advanced and sophisticated road milling machines is CAT PM102 cold planner. The machine has proved its worth in some of the tough conditions across the world. In India the machine has performed optimally. Introduced in 2006, CAT PM 102 (1,000mm drum width) has produced results while undertaking work for 8-10 hours a day, cutting hard asphalt approximately 200-250 sq.m per hour at 70-100 mm depth of cut. As per CAT, even under rigid demanding conditions, CAT PM 102 can show robust performance.
 
The high travel speed of CAT PM 102 reduces repositioning times and machine transfer on job site. Its anti-stall device automatically changes the machine’s working speed to accommodate variation in road surface hardness. With greater accuracy and finishing cut, CAT PM 102 is designed to provide comfort for machine operator. Its ergonomic design of the operator station emphasizes comfort, visibility and easy operation. The controls provided are grouped together and conveniently enhance operator productivity and reduce fatigue. Other features of the machine include an efficient anti-slab device, high capacity collecting, locating conveyors and high penetration cutting tools to add productivity. Caterpillar’s quick release conical tool holders significantly reduce maintenance time. Its well engineered water spray system effectively wets cutting tools and controls dust within rotor chamber.

Advertising

Your future advertising space? Our media data