Demolition: developing for the future

Makoto Kato, Kobelco Europe managing director. ((Photo: KHL)

For those companies with connections to the demolition industry, the future was very much on their minds as well.

Take for instance Kobelco Europe. The company’s Japanese managing director reiterated his company’s ambition to become the continent’s number one demolition excavator manufacturer in Europe.

Makoto Kato said customers want to go higher and higher with their equipment – and he believes that Kobelco Construction Machinery Europe has the machines to help them do so.

High-reach demolition excavators

In recent years, the company has launched three new products into the demolition market and this year has marked the European launch of the SK1300D, which made its debut in Japan last year.

The introduction of the new product has taken place against a background of supply chain issues that surfaced during the Coronavirus pandemic and have got worse since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February.

However, Mr Kato views this as a problem that is common to everyone, praising the company’s “brand-loyal customers” for their understanding of the situation and being prepared to wait for delivery of the machines.

It is targeted at the major European markets of France, Germany, Italy, Norway and the United Kingdom, and the growing sectors of power plant and oil rig decommissioning.

Consisting of a base machine with six boom variations of pin heights ranging from 8 to 40 m (26 to 131 ft), the excavator model can be used with attachments weighing between 12 and 4.3 t, while other innovations include high tool performance achieved with a four-piece UD Demolition boom configuration.

Kobelco described the SK1300DLC as currently the world’s largest OEM manufactured building demolition machine and delivers superior productivity, versatility and the ability to use more powerful crushers at new heights.

The SK1300DLC is a common base-type machine but the integration of the Kobelco-developed Next Advance system means that it can be adapted for multiple applications on the jobsite, including high elevation demolition projects as well as breaking up building foundations.

The machine’s modular design also allows easy transport with fast set-up and disassembly, which is a significant benefit to operators working on multiple jobsites or on different projects.

Once disassembled, the SK1300DLC’s base machine has a transportation weight of less than 32 tand a width of around 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in), which makes travelling between jobsites in urban environments, or in countries where there are strict regulations, possible.

The Sennebogen 830 E (centre) now reaches a height of 23 m (75 ft). (Photo: D&Ri magazine)

Demolition excavator models for urban jobsites

German manufacturer Sennebogen was also active in the field of demolition excavators.

For the demolition site, two factors determine the success of a project: high safety and time- and cost-saving solutions.

Sennebogen believes it has met both requirements with its multifunctional 830 Demolition excavator.

It showed the 48 t demolition machine at the recent Bauma exhibition with two new equipment features.

In addition to three-part demolition equipment with a maximum pin height of 23 m (75 ft), the machine also features a fully hydraulically unloadable counterweight.

The 830 Demolition machine, which is described as suited to applications in inner-city sites, has an outrigger with a standing width of up to 4.5 m (14 ft 9 in) and an elevating cab that can be tilted up to 30 degrees.

This gives the operator a view of the equipment and keeps them clear of the danger zone, while an optional unloadable counterweight reduces transport weight by around 10 t.

According to Sennebogen, the new longfront equipment for the 830 Demolition enables “even greater distance from the demolition object and thus even more safety.

“With the AB23 three-part demolition equipment, the 830 Demolition offers higher reach than previous models and work over projecting edges with the new articulated boom,” the company said.

Another German company, compact equipment specialist Wacker Neuson, also declared the event a success.

Electric mini excavators for demolition

Bobcat has introduced a 2 t mini excavator to its range of electrically powered machines.

The E19e is an electric version of Bobcat’s E19 internal-combustion (IC) model, which the company says offers zero emissions, low-noise operation and comparable levels of performance to its diesel-powered counterpart.

The new machine was unveiled during a special launch event at the manufacturer’s stand on the opening day of Bauma 2022.

Scott Park, Doosan Bobcat CEO, said: “With the introduction of the E19e, Bobcat has expanded its larger-size electric line-up of zero emission and quiet machines that can match the excellent performance of our conventional models.

“This unit will build on the success of our smaller E10e, the world’s first electric mini excavator launched during Bauma 2019.

“Our team is proud of its contributions to this segment to date, and we will continue to invest in research and development to further accelerate this important trend.”

The Bobcat E19e features the same profile, external dimensions and comparable performance as the popular E19 mini-excavator, more than 10,000 of which have been sold worldwide.

It features a 3.5-hour battery capacity and can be recharged quickly using a super-fast charger. According to Bobcat, this means that by topping up the power during work breaks, the machine can be used all day for most typical applications.

Doosan Bobcat CEO Scott Park (left) launches the Ez19e at Bauma alongside Mike Vought, vice president PM/PMO, Doosan Bobcat EMEA. (Photo: Doosan Bobcat)

Thanks to the model’s ergonomic design, its battery capacity and service codes are clearly displayed, making planning simple.

The E19e is also versatile, with a wide array of compatible attachments available. Bobcat’s hydraulic clamp attachment, for example, is unique in the market for this size category.

Thanks to the years of research and development involved in its creation, the E19e is a truly dependable machine.

Fully validated and tested by Bobcat using proven components from the smaller E10e, its premium battery features technology equivalent to that employed by the world’s leading electric automakers.

The E19e is powered by a 17.3 kWh battery, which is larger than the E10e’s 11.5 kWh power source. It also produces very low noise levels on site, with an LpA (operator noise) of only 70 dBA, 9 dBA less than the diesel-powered E19.

The model’s electrical system and components have also been optimised for work in harsh environments.

Miroslav Konas, mini excavator product manager, Doosan Bobcat EMEA, added: “The E19e electric mini-excavator combines a safe, nearly silent, zero-emission design with the E19’s suitability for working in confined spaces. As a result, it is the ideal machine for applications such as indoor and outdoor demolition.”

World Demolition Awards - results in full All the winners and shortlisted companies from Vienna

C&D waste management: Crushing and Screening equipment

Among several developments in crushing and screening, Belgian equipment manufacturer Keestrack exhibited a range of electric machines under its “Join the e-volution” banner, after a busy period of product development in the past two years.

Marketing manager Marcel Kerkhofs said: “We have a strong reputation for cost-effective equipment with a relentless search for the best performance at the lowest cost per produced ton, using the best drive system possible.

“Today this means going electric.”

Keestrack introduced electric drives in 2012 by the e-drive; electric plug-in with onboard diesel/gen-set in case there is no electric plug-in available.

The e-driven machines evolved into equipment with a drop-off engine or genset unit which could be placed next to the equipment, in less dusty surroundings, or on the frame of the machine.

With its zero-drive systems, there are no combustion engines on board, as electric motors drive most of the mobile crushing and screening equipment and power some necessary hydraulics systems.

Zero-drive options developed by Keestrack include cone crushers, impact crushers, scalper screens and jaw crushers.

“At this point electric drive systems are the greenest and most effective options on the market, as they are more efficient than conventional hydraulic systems,” said Keestrack group president Kees Hoogendoorn.

“But it also makes the end-user less dependent on a specific engine supplier.”

Autonomous crushing SBM Mineral Processing style

The next step in autonomous crushing 

By launching its Remax 600, SBM Mineral Processing says it has taken the next step to “autonomous crushing”.

The new tracked-mobile impact crusher has a feed capacity of 600 t/h and is a 1400-impact crusher for material feed sizes up to 900 mm (35 in) and a maximum total weight of 75 t depending on the equipment.

It can provide up to five fractions in one cycle. Triple wind sifting and – a novel feature in highly mobile impact crushers – the very efficient overbelt magnetic separator with longitudinal discharge as an option ensure the high purity of the final products even in recycling applications.

The Remax 600 serves as a technology platform for the globally first fully automatic production monitoring and control that SBM is currently developing in close co-operation with researchers of the Montanuniversität Leoben in Styria, Germany.

Based on a sensor system and video technology, powerful communication and IT networks, as well as technological innovations such as the automatic gap adjustment, SBM says the “autonomous crusher” will help users and operators with all decisions, permanently support efficient operation, assure optimum product quality at all times, as well as make an important contribution to save energy and costs during crushing.

European companies named best in the world

Despe’s Enel Genoa project was one of two shortlisted entries for the the 2022 World Demolition Awards. (Photo: Despe)

Five European companies – three demolition contractors and two equipment manufacturers – enjoyed a successful World Demolition Awards in Vienna, Austria, last month.

The event, organised by KHL magazine Demolition & Recycling International in partnership with the European Demolition Association and with the support of the National Demolition Association of the USA, recognises innovation and best practice across 14 categories.

And it was celebration time for Europe in five of those categories during the industry’s annual gathering at the World Demolition Summit in the Austrian capital.

Erith Contractors of the United Kingdom won in Urban Demolition over US$10 million of a technical enabling works package at London’s Olympia that included the complex demolition, intervention works and intricate temporary works across multiple venues that make up the exhibition venue.

One of the most challenging aspects of the project was ensuring that the live events, including a range of international trade shows, consumer exhibitions, conferences and sporting events were able to go ahead alongside the programme of works.

Liaison with the neighbouring retail, residential, commercial and landmark surrounding tourist attractions in the vicinity was key to minimising any disruption through the use of robust traffic management plans and an experienced neighbourhood liaison team.

The Collaboration award went to P Olesen of Denmark, which was hired as turnkey contractor on a project to demolish the 88 m (289 ft) high tower and an adjacent building at the famous Carlsberg brewery.

P Olesen says this was a demolition project that required both a special demolition method and a high level of collaboration, communication and flexibility from all parties involved.

The Coronavirus pandemic complicated the collaboration between P Olesen in Denmark and the subcontractor Despe in Italy, while the tower required a special demolition method – the TopDownWay developed by Despe – as it was close to buildings, schools and busy streets.

Erith’s entry for ubran projects valued at over US$10 million. (Photo: Erith Contractors)

Despe itself won the Industrial category for demolishing the Enal thermoelectric power plant in the port of Genoa.

Significantly, there was almost no space on the perimeter of the plant, which makes it difficult to use large machinery and store materials.

The power station facilities housed four coal groups with a capacity of 60 MW each and a 160 MW group. The environmental adaptations that took place over time meant that no less than four electrostatic precipitators weighing a total of 2,100 t were installed on the roof of the building by means of a special and ingenious force relief system.

In the manufacturer categories, Arden Equipment of France took the Tools and Attachment prize for a demolition jib developed during a contract with French contractor Cardem, while Kobelco Europe’s new SK1300 DLC excavator came out on top in Plant and Equipment.