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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER2014
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EQUIPMENT
New F Series compacts fromCase
Case has launched its new F-Series range of compact wheeled
loaders that it says has been designed tominimise servicing time
and attachment changeover times while at the same timemaximise
productivity. Four modelsmake up the new range – the 4.9 tonne
21F, 5.2 tonne 121F, 5.4 tonne 221F and 5.9 tonne 321F – and
Case says that their optimal weight distribution allows them to lift
a greater pallet load than their predecessors with, for example,
the 21F XT able to lift 2,000 kg (4,400 lb), 400 kgmore than the
21E it replaces. The smaller two are available with both parallel
and Z-bar linkages and all four meet Stage IV/Tier 4 Final emission
legislation. Engine power for the 21F is 44 kW (58 hp), 48 kW (64
hp) for the 121F, and 55 kW (74 hp) for both the 221F and 321F.
The cab has been lowered tomake the newmachines easy to
transport, with the 21F and 121F both falling under the 2.5m (8.2
ft) height so that they can easily pass under a 4m (13 ft) bridge
when on the back of a truck. The newmachines also feature a
narrow turning circle to aid in accessing confined spaces on site.
Attachment changeovers are speed through the use of the Case
Connect-Under-Pressure that automatically depressurises the
connectors with no hand tools being required.
The hydraulic system delivers all the power needed to operate
themost power-hungry attachment. The High Flow option, available
on the 221F and 321F, increases hydraulic flow from 70 to 130
litres per minute and allows the use of powered attachments.
The new compact wheel loaders feature a 4-wheel drive
hydrostatic transmission that provides a 33 km/h High Speed
option on the 221F and 321Fmodels with a 2-gear mechanical
gearbox. Turtle and rabbit speed can be engaged under load for
maximum efficiency.
Targetting European
Chinesemanufacturer
Sany has been investing in
the Europeanmarket over
the past few years.
Sandy
Guthrie
visited its German
factory to find outmore
Founded inChina in1989, the company
is still privatelyowned, andhas grown
from a smallwelding company to amajor
globalmanufacturer, with a focus on
internationalisation. BartDecroos,managing
director of theEuropeanoperation, which
goes under thename SanyGermany, said
the companywas in five sectors –mining,
concrete, hoistingmachinery, earthmoving
andportmachinery. “We’re in somany
different sectors,”he said. “It is a goodbalance
compared tootherChinese companies.”
The company’s strategyhas beenone of
localisation aswell as globalisation. Bart said
therewas an acceptance from theChinese
management touse local people.He saidof
theEuropeanoperation, “It’s ledbypeople
from the construction industry, theport
industry, the earthmoving industry, etc.”
R&D is important toSany, andwhile
there is some relianceonChina for some
jointwork, the company recognises that the
regional differences are key. “Weworkwith
people in localmarkets, settingup local R&D
centres. Sanywas probably the first todo this,”
saidBart. “WithEuropeanR&D, there is local
knowledge and theyknow themarket. From
thebeginning, therehas been a focus onnew
developments, investing inR&D. About 5 to
7%of revenue goes intoR&D.”
The aftersales service is another areaof
focus for Sany, andBart said that therewas a
short lead time for spares. Part of the reason
for this is thatmanyof theparts come from
Europeanmanufacturers. “Wemade sure that
wehad spares beforewe starteddistribution.
T
he excavatorwill be themaindriver
ofChinesemanufacturer Sany’s
globalisationplans, according to the
teamnowbased inEurope, with fivemodels
currently available for theEuropeanmarket.
These are the 6 to8 tonne SY75C, the 12 to14
tonne SY135C, the 21 to22 tonne SY215C, the
22 to25 tonne SY235C and lastly the 32 to35
tonne SY335C.
But this is onlypart of thepicture for the
Kobelcooperationbased inBedburg, near
Cologne, inGermany.
There are five Sany excavatormodels currently in Europe
Decroos, “We have confidence in the quality”
