< PreviousM aeda mini cranes have seen high demand from the rental industry in the UAE since they were introduced in 2019. Six Maeda spider crane models (MC series) – MC104C, MC174C, MC285C-3, MC305C-2, MC405C, and MC815C – are available in the region, off ering lifting capacities ranging from 0.995t to 8.09t; maximum lifting heights ranging from 5.5m to 19.6m (25.5m with fl y jib); and maximum working radius ranging from 5.1m to 18.8m. Among these, the three smaller models (MC104C, MC174C and MC285C-3) have body widths ranging from 0.59m to 0.75m, which enables them to travel through a standard single door for indoor use. Maeda mini cranes are suitable for a range of construction works such as glazing, curtain wall installation, rooftop work, and steel erection. They also have applications in factories that don’t have overhead cranes. Their small size and manoeuvrability make them versatile for outdoor and indoor applications, particularly narrow and confi ned spaces. These cranes have been employed widely in the UAE for construction, maintenance and interior works where they are driven through narrow doors, elevators, or lifted onto elevated sites by larger cranes. Johnson Arabia, the UAE-based mobile crane and aerial work platform hire company, was the fi rst in the region to incorporate all six Maeda crane models into its rental fl eet in 2020. The company has seen growing demand in its customer base for mini cranes, pick and carry cranes and vacuum lifters to aid their projects in the construction and oil and gas industries, particularly on sites where it is diffi cult to have lager cranes and lifting devices. Mohammad Fareed Nasser, executive manager– cranes, Johnson Arabia, says: “Maeda mini cranes are exceptionally manoeuvrable in such applications because of their compact dimensions and pick and carry feature. Spider mini crane series also work in conjunction with larger cranes which makes it an easy option for companies to choose them for lifts in compact or hard to reach areas. Without these cranes, lifting operations in congested areas would be unnecessarily complex and costly.” MAEDA MINI CRANES: THE LIFTING SOLUTION FOR TIGHT SPACES, BUDGETS AND DEADLINES “After transportation to a site, a Maeda mini cranes can be operated within 15 minutes. Thus, it enables to fast-track certain challenging lifting and placement operations. The smaller models can be transported Last year, the MC285C-3 spider crane was employed to erect the outdoor, drive-in theatre at Mall of the Emirates. 10 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comFEBRUARY 2021 CRANESeasily and operated by an individual without assistance. For indoor applications, these cranes have an optional electric motor that prevents emissions and reduces noise. The crane’s black tracks can be replaced with non-marking white tracks for certain indoor applications such as in malls and hospitals,” adds Mohammad. Last year, the MC285C-3 spider crane was employed to erect the outdoor, drive-in theatre at Mall of the Emirates after the large screen was assembled in the upper parking lot of the shopping centre. The fi ve-day job saw the MC285C-3 lift loads up to 600 kg to a height of up to 7m and working radius of 4m. The MC285C-3 has a maximum capacity of 2.82 tonnes at 1.4m; maximum working radius of 8.2m for 0.5 tonne; and maximum lifting height of 8.7m. “We were required to work in a parking lot where the height and weight restrictions made it impossible to transport any other crane into the site. Considering all the logistics challenges, there was no alternative to using the MC285-3,” says Mohammad. Last year, Maeda launched a battery powered version of the MC285C, the MC285CB-3. The speed, capacity, size and weight of the MC285CB-3 are identical to those of the MC285C diesel model. The crane can operate continuously for 9.5 hours with a full charge that requires 3.5 hours. The lithium-ion battery can be recharged during operation. A recent application of Maeda mini cranes was in a residential building in the Arjan area of Dubai. An MC405C was employed to erect columns on the podium for construction of a kids play area. The spider crane was lifted from the ground to the podium by using a 100t crane and positioned on the podium slab. The two- day job saw the MC285C-3 lift loads up to 900 kg to a height of up to 12m and working radius of 5m. The MC405C has a maximum capacity of 3.83 tonnes at 2.7m; maximum working radius of 16m for 0.21 tonne; and maximum lifting height of 16.8m. “If the same job was to be executed from the ground level, the client would have had to spend at least AED30,000 additionally. We were able to provide a much cheaper and faster option with the Maeda spider mini crane. After completion of the job, the MC405C was lowered to the ground by using another crane,” says Mohammad. Mohammad Fareed Nasser, executive manager– cranes, Johnson Arabia. Recently, the MC405C spider crane was employed to erect columns on the podium for construction of a kids play area in a residential building in the Arjan area of Dubai. 11 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comFEBRUARY 2021 CRANESG ermany-based heavy haulage company Steil Kranarbeiten has taken delivery of the fi rst Tadano GTC 1800EX to be handed over worldwide. For Tadano, the deal also symbolically represents the integration of its Tadano and Demag brands: it was developed at Tadano Demag production facility in Zweibrücken and sold under the Tadano brand name. Applications of the GTC 1800EX include installing and assembling prefab concrete elements, bridges, or tunnels in structural and civil engineering projects; as a setup and pre-assembly crane in wind power projects; and when maintaining large mining equipment and facilities. Birgit Steil, general manager, Steil Kranarbeiten, says: “We expect, fi rst and foremost, to save a lot of time and money with the GTC 1800EX. Especially because of the short setup times and the logistical advantages when it comes to transportation. Since the crane is also very versatile, we’ll be using it primarily at work sites with tight space conditions and on diffi cult terrain. With its intelligent IC 1 Plus control system, it has the advantage that it automatically determines the available lifting capacity under consideration of factors such as ground inclination and the track setting.” Directly after the handover, Steil’s GTC 1800EX was taken to a wind farm in the Black Forest, where it was used to lift rotor blades and disassemble a Demag CC 3800-1 on site after the latter completed its last lift. “We’ll fi rst be using it primarily as an assist crane for our Demag CC 3800 in wind turbine projects. But it will also be extremely useful for installing prefab concrete elements. In fact, we ordered the crane with two winches precisely because of this,” says Steil. Vincent Stenger, product manager, Tadano, says: “The Tadano GTC 1800EX off ers high lifting capacities even at an angle of inclination of up to 4°. It is designed in such a way that it can be transported very effi ciently, and it only takes one heavy-load lowbed trailer that can handle the base crane’s compact 3 x 3 m (w x h) transport size and four standard trucks to get it to a work site. Once there, it can be set up quickly in just a few steps. The crane’s powerful Birgit Steil, general manager, Steil Kranarbeiten; and Jens Ennen, CEO, Tadano. carrier delivers high tractive power and allows for stepless variable track width adjustment – even asymmetrical confi gurations are possible, which make it an extremely versatile machine under all terrain conditions.” “With the GTC 1800EX, we have put an enormously powerful and competitive crawler crane on the market. We’re so confi dent in our development approach and the corresponding results to date that we’re currently working on a roadmap in Germany to bring additional GTC models to market,” adds Vincent. 12 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comFEBRUARY 2021 CRANES WORLD’S FIRST TADANO GTC 1800EX TELESCOPIC BOOM CRAWLER CRANE GOES TO HEAVY HAULAGE COMPANY IN GERMANYA n off shore wind farm with 71 wind turbines is being constructed between 13 and 22 kilometres off the coast of Fécamp in Normandy. These wind turbines will be connected to gravity foundations installed on the seabed at depths between 25 and 30 meters. The design and construction works of the 71 concrete gravity structures for the foundation of the off shore wind farm are carried out on the Bougainville shipyard, at the Grand Port Maritime at Le Havre. In order to deliver the project by the end of 2022, 18 traveling cranes are needed. Two Potain MDT 349 cranes move on 120 meters of rails and sixteen Potain MR 608 machines of the same height are spread over 4 parallel tracks (4 cranes on each track). This project represents a technical challenge for installation of an anti- collision system, which is essential to ensure the safety and productivity of this project because several cranes move on the same track and are placed at the same height which can result in the collision of jibs. Therefore, AMCS Technologies will equip the 18 Potain tower cranes that make up the foundation site for the Fécamp wind farm with DCS 61-S anti-collision systems. The DCS 61-S detects in real time the risk of collision of all interfering crane components (for example jib on jib, jib on cable, etc.). The device calculates in real time and in 3D the distances between each element of the cranes as well as the speeds and direction of movement on the rails in order to intervene on the control mechanisms of the crane to ensure a slowing down and then a complete immobilization of the machine at a preset distance from the other machine. The system also provides the crane operator with working comfort by displaying all the parameters useful for operating the machine. It enables visualizing in real time the position of the crane as well as the positions of interfering cranes. 13 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comFEBRUARY 2021 CRANES AMCS TECHNOLOGIES TO EQUIP 18 CRANES WITH THE DCS 61-S ANTI-COLLISION SYSTEM AT WIND FARM SITE IN FRANCEB oth the immediate and long-term fu- ture of the manufacturing industry will be defi ned by the development of a number of ever-evolving and prominent trends. These trends are poised to have a sig- nifi cant impact in 2021 (and, in many cases, beyond), so it’s critically important for manu- facturers to develop a keen understanding of what they are, how they will grow over time, and how they will impact the industry and the customers it serves. With that in mind, let’s look at 5 manufac- turing trends to watch in 2021: 1. COVID-19 AND EMPLOYEE SAFETY It almost goes without saying that workplace safety and compliance with CDC guidelines and OSHA regulations (along with local safety measures) will remain front of mind for manu- facturers as 2021 gets under way. With CO- VID-19 cases on the rise in many parts of the world, organizations will need to continue to be vigilant in their eff orts to protect employ- ees. Doing so, however, requires a signifi cant investment of time eff ort and resources on the part of company leaders. While an effi cient rollout of an eff ective vaccine for COVID-19 would bode well for an eventual return to normalcy for the manufac- turing industry, the impact of such a rollout won’t be felt for some time. In the interim, organizations will need to continue practicing social distancing in the workplace, restricting visitors to facilities, encouraging the practice of good hygiene, and ensuring employees are healthy and fi t for work before allowing them on the job. It’s been nearly a year since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in the U.S., and it remains a major challenge for manufacturers across the country and around the world. While compa- nies do have plans and protocols in place to combat the virus, adhering to them and ensur- ing the health and well-being of employees is – and will continue to be – no small task. 2. CONNECTED WORKFORCE The desire to equip workers with technology capable of stay connected and collaborate from a distance has long been on a trend on the rise within the manufacturing industry. As older generations continue to leave the workforce and are replaced by younger employees, and By Al Cervero, senior vice president, Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) FIVE MANUFACTURING TRENDS TO WATCH IN 2021 COMMENT 14 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comFEBRUARY 2021 COMMENT 14the rise of the big data era in manufacturing takes shape, fi nding tools and technologies to make an increasingly spread-out and remote workforce as productive as possible is a top pri- ority for companies today. As a recent article from McKinsey explained, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased reliance on digital collaboration to establish and maintain a connected manufac- turing workforce. An increased emphasis on safety and changes to work processes, in an eff ort to maintain social distancing and mini- mize physical contact, has led organizations of all types and sizes to adopt cutting-edge ways to allow for workers to communicate and in- teract virtually. While the widespread impact of the pan- demic has caused this trend (and the adop- tion rate of related tools and technologies) to grow, it remains critical for manufacturers to provide training and resources to employees as they try to maximize productivity from afar. Why? Because doing so is poised to pay off over time. According to McKinsey, “by digitizing pro- cesses to improve equipment management and optimize physical assets, digital collabo- ration tools give manufacturers ways to boost productivity while enhancing quality.” And those who do it fi rst – and well – will achieve a signifi cant competitive advantage. 3. INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT) The Internet of Things (IoT) has long been a trend to watch in manufacturing, and this year is no diff erent. As it continues to grow in prominence and becomes more and more widespread over time, IoT technology will drive value for the industry by allowing or- ganizations to make measured, informed decisions using real-time data in an eff ort to increase effi ciency and positively impact their bottom lines. According to a recent study conducted by the MPI Group, approximately 31% of manu- facturing production processes now incorpo- rate smart devices and embedded intelligence. Furthermore, more than one-third of manu- facturers have established plans to implement IoT technology into their processes, while 32% plan to embed IoT technology into their prod- ucts. IoT technology off ers both remote monitor- ing and predictive maintenance capabilities (see below for more on predictive mainte- nance), making it even more valuable for or- ganizations looking to maintain visibility of equipment performance from afar. With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to impact the industry in 2021, IoT technology will continue to be a go-to for manufacturers looking to maintain effi ciency and productivity. 4. LOCALIZED PRODUCTION AND NEAR-SOURCING The rise of customization and personalization has given way to large opportunities for manu- facturers willing -- and perhaps more impor- tantly, able to succeed in a localized economy. By rethinking the way products get out to the public, organizations can craft an ecosystem of smaller, fl exible factories located near existing and prospective customers. Manufacturers are used to thinking on a global level. However, shifting their focus to a local level, they may be better able to meet the ever-changing needs, wants and preferences of the markets they serve. Consumers are making it abundantly clear that authenticity matters, and a localized approach to manufacturing is proving to be among the most eff ective ways to for organizations to respond accordingly. The impact of COVID-19 also cannot be dis- counted. The pandemic has led manufacturers to reevaluate and reconsider sourcing, largely due to supply chain disruptions (especially in the earliest days of COVID-19). As a result, manufacturers have made a concerted eff ort to bring their operations closer to where their off erings are sold, and there has been an in- creasing desire on the part of many companies to source raw materials from domestic suppli- ers. All of this is being done in an eff ort to avoid pandemic-related disruptions and support the U.S. economy during these uncertain times. 5. PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE It’s no secret the ability for manufacturers to predict impending equipment failures and – more importantly – prevent equipment downtime is incredibly impactful to their bottom lines. Advancements in technology now allow organizations to do just that (and much, much more). The benefi ts, according to a recent blog post from EAM-Mosca Corporation, show- case why predictive maintenance (PM) is so valuable to organizations today. PM helps companies: • Reduced costs • Fewer failures • Minimize scheduled downtime • Optimize parts delivery Eff ectively conducting predictive main- tenance is no easy task, however. Adopting a (successful) predictive maintenance model requires manufacturers to gain insights into the variables they are collecting and – more importantly – how often those variables pres- ent themselves on factory fl oors. Therefore, it’s imperative for manufacturers to possess accu- rate and relevant knowledge about their equip- ment. They must know what previous failures have taken place, and they need to make deci- sions around lead time. Because, as the closer to failure a machine is allowed to go, the more accurate the prediction will be. Al Cervero, senior vice president, Association of Equipment Manufacturers. COMMENT 15 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comFEBRUARY 2021T he Middle East economy was in full- year recession throughout 2020, as per IMF data, with GDP growth falling in all four quarters. Oil-exporting Gulf economies were sub- jected to a double whammy of lockdowns as well as a collapse in oil prices. The Saudi Ara- bian economy contracted at its steepest pace in Q2 2020 with -7% GDP growth, with recov- ery likely to begin only in Q2 2021. In October 2020, IMF projected the UAE GDP to contract by -6.6% in 2020 due to COVID-19 and lower oil production. Dependent on the speed of global recovery, growth is expected to reach 2.5% by 2022, supported by government re- covery plans, higher oil revenues, and a boost from Expo 2020 Dubai. In Q3 2020, containment measures had been relaxed in most parts of the GCC, lead- ing to the resumption of activities to some extent. This translated into a rapid quarter- over-quarter GDP expansion in Q3 2020. However, GDP growth, when measured against the same quarter of last year, re- mained in the negative territory in Q3 and Q4, given prolonged restrictions and their impact especially across sectors such as travel and tourism, hotels and restaurants, enter- tainment, and education. Demand is likely to improve with the lift- ing of lockdowns, but remain muted, on ac- count of job losses and a dampened consumed sentiment. From Q1 2021, we expect a positive rebound in GCC GDP, with GDP returning to full recovery by Q4 2021. The GCC car market experienced a dip of 70 to 80% drop in footfalls during the peak of the pandemic; however, there have been signs of recovery happening from Q3 2020 and the market is expected to reach its pre-COVID growth trajectory by the last quarter of 2021. The cost of logistics in the GCC is relatively less given the subsidized fuel cost and low wages of drivers, and since there is no other mode of land transportation like rail, truck- ing is the backbone of transportation of goods within the GCC countries. Since the pandemic, one of the hard hit sectors of the economy has been the commer- cial vehicles segment; however, this industry is expected to recover soon with light trucks sales catching up faster than the medium and heavy truck segments due to the usage of light trucks in diverse sectors, growth in ecom- merce, retail sales and last mile connectivity. The heavy duty truck market is expected to bounce back with the start of infrastructure projects and opening of the tourism sector. One of the positive impacts of the COVID crisis has been the evolution of new busi- ness models across sectors such as automo- tive, healthcare and other consumer sectors, which collectively have driven growth in on- line sales. Such new trends indirectly benefi t the auto sector and will drive recovery faster than expected. However, a second wave of COVID cases is being seen in many countries now. If there’s a reemergence of the outbreak in the GCC, consumer sentiment would remain muted even into Q1 2021, thereby prolonging the low demand. By Vishal Pandey, director, Glasgow Consulting Group GCC AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY: COVID-19 IMPACT AND FORECAST Source: Glasgow Consulting Group. Source: General Authority of Statistics. KSA. COMMENT 16 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comFEBRUARY 2021A SAFER ERA OF MOBILITY IS NEAR M obility has always been an in- trinsic part of human develop- ment. With globalization, the innovation and utilization of advanced automation came into practice. The be- ginning of 21st century challenged the era of innovation due to political, tech- nological and economic repercussions. There have been signifi cant develop- ments in automation over the last de- cade especially the way people move on a daily basis. These advancements have empowered both government and pri- vate sector organizations to accelerate the adoption of safe, reliable, renewable and economical modes of automation. To stay ahead in the automotive in- dustry, most of the organizations have started working closely with govern- ment authorities to ensure smooth fl ow of production processes and early adop- tion of autonomous vehicles at the lo- cal level. Organizations have realized the urgency of connectivity, automa- tion and impact of new drive solutions to thrive under competitive pressures. Today, vehicles are equipped with driver assistance systems, display and infotainment systems; many of them have become more sophisticated, comfortable and safer on the road. The UAE has been one of the fastest coun- tries across the globe and in the Arab world to implement the latest technological infra- structure and develop safer roads accelerat- ing digital transformation in every aspect of human life. The UAE edged up one place to eighth position, performing well in technol- ogy infrastructure and the willingness of its people & government to embrace driverless cars, according to KPMG’s annual Autono- mous Vehicles Readiness Index 20201. It is inspiring and contented to know that Dubai Autonomous Transportation Strategy2 aims to transform 25 per cent of the total trans- portation in Dubai to autonomous mode by 2030- within a decade from now. The strategy is expected to bring AED 22 billion in annual economic revenues in several sec- tors by reducing transportation costs, car- bon emissions and accidents, and raising the productivity of individuals as well as saving hundreds of millions of hours wasted in con- ventional transportation. A futuristic and a very clear vision of the Emirate has further strengthened the commitment of the indus- try leaders to expand their businesses in the UAE. The KPMG report also stated that the UAE scored highest among the 30 countries on measures of change & readiness for new technology infrastructure and mobile data speeds, as well as the willingness of people to embrace driverless cars. With the implemen- tation of new technologies, comes new laws for the safety of the UAE community. The authorities will be assessing and signing off on the technical and safety standards of tri- als of the vehicles, including defi ning where tests can take place and the speed limit3. The country also ranked third4 on a measure of the effi ciency of its legal system in challeng- ing regulations. Automakers have already made substan- tial developments at the fi rst two SAE lev- els5 of automated driving. The SAE Level 1 which was about driver assistance system performing either sustained longitudi- nal or lateral vehicle motion control; at SAE Level 2 of autonomy, it has moved to the system performing both sus- tained longitudinal and lateral vehicle motion control in defi ned use cases in order to support the driver. The auto- makers have already started strengthen- ing their autonomous capabilities that meet SAE Level 3 & 4 standards; which is conditionally automated driving to highly automated driving. With the adoption of automated and connected driving as the bright future of mobility and a goal to completely eliminate the risk of fatal accidents, it becomes important to equip the vehicles with more advanced safety technologies and automated driving features, so our roads can become safer than ever. The availability of AI and IoT connected de- vices has simplifi ed and advanced the integration of safety systems in the ve- hicles but most importantly, to achieve a new level of occupant protection- it is essential for the manufacturers to adopt these new technologies for safer roads. The already available intelligent connectiv- ity components have managed to increase vehicle safety and provide greater occupant protection from injury in the event of an acci- dent. As a responsible global citizen, I would urge all the industry leaders and organiza- tions to continue to advance their solutions to create safer roads, contribute to reducing emissions, create a sustainable environment and make the world a better place for the gen- erations to come. 1https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/ technology/uae-moves-up-a-spot-in-driverless-car- readiness-ranking-1.1045632 2 https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/strategies-initia- tives-and-awards/local-governments-strategies- and-plans/dubai-autonomous-transportation- strategy 3 https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/transport/ dubai-enacts-new-rules-for-testing-driverless-cars- and-accident-responsibility-1.973945 4 Same as footnote 1 5 https://www.bosch-mobility-solutions.com/en/ highlights/automated-mobility/ By Per Johansson, general manager, Robert Bosch Middle East COMMENT 17 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comFEBRUARY 2021A ccidents with wheel loaders occur most frequently when the machine operator reverses after a loading process. This reverse travel is particularly risky if people are located in the wheel loader’s operating area. In these situations, there is a huge responsibility on the machine operator. Construction machine accidents can often result in severe injuries and signifi cant damage. To ensure maximum safety, Liebherr has added two extra functions - brake assistant and incident map - to active personnel detec- tion, an assistance system for the Liebherr L 526 to L 586 XPower range of wheel loaders. The brake assistant automatically slows the speed of the wheel loader to a standstill the moment the active personnel detection issues a warning signal. The incident map displays potential risk zones on the site us- ing GPS data in LiDAT, Liebherr’s in-house transfer and location system. Active personnel detection visually alerts the machine operator via the display screen and sounds acoustic signals if there is danger in the wheel loader’s rear area. In order to provide a specifi c warning of imminent injury to people, the assistance system, using smart sensors, provides specifi c warning of people in the rear area of the wheel loader at a greater distance than for obstructions such as walls, columns or other vehicles. This means the assistance system avoids unneces- sary signals, thereby reducing the burden on the machine operator and causing fewer distractions. The moment the active personnel detec- tion system identifi es a source of danger, the brake assistant slows the wheel loader down to a standstill. The braking process is therefore initiated at an earlier stage and quicker than in the case of traditional brak- ing since, with the brake assistant, there is no delay caused by human reaction time. This means there is an important reduction in the stopping distance which, in turn, reduces the frequency and severity of accidents. In the case of the brake assistant, the hydrostatic components of the drive train au- tomatically reduce the speed. This means the machine operator can continue to operate the wheel loader service brake in the normal way and can do this in addition to the brake assistant. Besides the brake assistant, a second new function for the active personnel detec- tion at the rear is the incident map. Each time the assistance system detects a danger and a warning signal is issued, the system transmits a GPS signal to LiDAT. On the basis of this signal, and for each operator of a wheel loader with active personnel detection, Liebherr provides a Google map in LiDAT showing these GPS points. The result is an incident map display- ing the risk zones and potential sources of danger on the site. The operator can use this to take measures to prevent accidents and therefore increase safety. For example, the operator might reroute footpaths, cordon off areas and alter dangerous work sequences. The head of operations can use the incident map to train employees and make them aware of risky situations. Liebherr off ers several intelligent as- sistance systems for its mid-range and large wheel loader series. In addition to active personnel detection, these include adaptive working lighting, front space monitoring, the skyview 360° camera system, the tyre pressure monitoring system with sensor support and the new weighing device. Lieb- herr’s goal with the assistance systems is to increase safety and comfort and to support the machine operator. All systems have been developed by Liebherr and are therefore fully integrated in the machine control. NEW BRAKE ASSISTANT FOR LIEBHERR WHEEL LOADERS REDUCES STOPPING DISTANCE The Liebherr brake assistant automatically decelerates the wheel loader the moment the active personnel detection identifi es a source of danger in the rear area. EARTHMOVERS 18 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comFEBRUARY 2021O ff ering the highest in-class payload of 98.2 tonnes, the 2021 Cat 777E Truck features improvements in power, torque and transmission control to deliver best-in-class productivity. Updates also include confi gurable Eco Mode operation to reduce fuel consumption and drive down cost-per-tonne of material moved. The updated Cat C32 engine delivers increased horsepower and a 7% improvement in torque to increase hauling performance. Optimized fuel mapping of the engine and adaptive economy mode determine the most effi cient operating point to improve truck fuel economy. Additionally, operators can select a variable engine derate from 0.5% to 15% in Eco Mode operation to further reduce fuel consumption, and the new automatic engine idle shutdown feature reduces fuel use and wear on engine components. The 777E Truck improves productivity by up to 5%. The new advanced productivity electronic control strategy (APECS) improves transmission and engine coordination to better utilize available engine power. The result is as much as 7% more torque delivered to the drive wheels for improved hauling performance. The new control system also provides smooth shift- ing for greater operator comfort. The 777E now off ers a second gear start when underfoot conditions and grade allow. The strategy enables the truck to reach opti- mum speed more quickly, lowers cycle times and minimizes the number of transmission shifts. To save fuel, a new auto neutral idle feature shifts the transmission into a neutral- like condition when the truck is idling in drive. The transmission’s speed limit feature allows the machine to run at optimal gear for selected speed. When working in cold conditions, the new auto-stall feature assists in quickly bringing the transmission to operating temperature at start-up. The eff ect is less non-productive time and reduced fuel consumed for warm-up. The 777E also features updates that elevate operator effi ciency. A new gearshift lever with integrated hoist and park brake controls eases operation, and the auto hoist feature delivers controlled truck bed descent to prevent body slams and increase component life. A new touchscreen display features en- hanced user interface options. Easy to read, it delivers improved navigation through machine control systems. The display allows operators to monitor key machine operating parameters, like tracking payload, as well as upcoming scheduled service intervals. A host of newly integrated Cat technologies help to improve hauling effi ciency and truck longevity on the 777E. The new truck produc- tion management system (TPMS) integrates strut pressure sensors and on-board comput- ing and displays truck payload to the loading machine operator. The system helps attain target payload. The vital information management system (VIMS) on board the 777E allows operations to proactively manage machine health and production. Real-time machine performance, operating data and diagnostics are displayed on the in-cab monitor for easy viewing and troubleshooting. Integrated prognostics devel- op trends from cumulative collected operating data to help increase truck cycle effi ciency. A new tonne-kilometre (TKPH) feature helps ensure that truck operation falls within the op- erating range of the tyres. The system monitors payload, speed and ambient temperature to cal- culate operating conditions, and the operator receives an audible warning when conditions exceed tyre limits. The updated 777E comes standard with Product Link with either cellular or satellite reporting options to meet the needs of the mine. Product Link captures critical machine operating data – location, hours, fuel, etc. – and reports it back to the main offi ce through VisionLink, helping to improve productivity, truck utilization, safety and maintenance effi ciency. With integrated TPMS, the overload speed limiter works in conjunction with the im- proved truck payload system to automatically reduce travel speed when the truck is overload- ed. Brake actuation is now fully hydraulic and delivers fast response and smooth application. The new adjustable mirror package for the 777E improves rear visibility for the operator. An optional camera system delivers enhanced operating environment visibility to the ma- chine’s front, rear and sides with the video feed displayed on the in-cab monitor. Engine crank and machine lockouts dis- able the engine starter/secondary steering and implements to improve servicing safety. Lockout engagement is conveniently located at ground level and an indicator light display ensures lockout is eff ectively engaged. The new optional automatic lubrication system provides grease for all lube points on the machine, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The tank fi ll-point is convenient- ly located at ground level to improve refi lling simplicity and enhance safety. THE 2021 CAT 777E TRUCK FEATURES IMPROVEMENTS IN POWER, TORQUE AND TRANSMISSION CONTROL EARTHMOVERS 19 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comFEBRUARY 2021Next >