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CONEXPO REPORT
IRNAPRIL-MAY 2014
JCB unveiled a new ‘functional’ version of its 3CX backhoe
loader designed for large fleet owners, particularly inNorth
and South Americanmarkets but also available in Europe,
Russia and theMiddle East later this year. The unit has a
more basic cab than the standardmodel, with simple controls
designed formultiple users. The backhoewill be available
inNorth America as a Tier 4 Final unit using JCB’s Ecomax
enginewith no diesel particulate filter (DPF).
Skyjack debuted a new electrically powered rough terrain
scissor lift at Conexpo. The SJ6832 RTE is the “most compact
machine on themarket that is capable of lifting 1000 pounds
[450 kg] to 32 ft [9.7m],” said Barry Greenaway, product
manager for themachine. “It is also the onlymachine in
its categorywith four-wheel drive and 45% gradeability
as standard design.” The zero-emission scissor lift uses
the same chassis as the existing diesel and dual fuel 68RT
units. “An electric version of one of Skyjack’smost popular
machines is a great addition to the options we can offer our
clients,” said Brad Boehler, Skyjack’s president.
Hilti offers ‘OnDemand’ service
Hilti usedConexpo as the launchplatform for a new tool hire programme inNorthAmerica - Hilti Tools
OnDemand - that allows contractors touse the company’s tools duringpeakmonths.
The newprogramme complements its existing Tool Fleet Management service, which is targeted
at contractors that want touseHilti tools year in and year out, and its short term rental option for
emergencies.
Tools OnDemandhas beendesigned tooffer contractors the use of tools for thosemonthswhen
projects peak.
Marketing salesmanager David Schimmel said, “We haveover 10000 customers signedup toour Tool
Fleet Management service inNorthAmerica, and theywere calling for a programme like this that would
allow them the use of tools for three to fivemonths at a time, insteadof years at a time or quick rental
periods.”
Mr Schimmel said the programmewas available in some European countries but was initially being
rolledout large-scale inNorthAmerica, where the companywas seeing the highest demand. “The new
service does not conflict withour rental network, but fits inbetween the short-term rental and long-
term fleetmanagement services,” he said.
Under Tools OnDemand, contractors pay touse toolswith full Hilti service and support for aminimum
of threemonths, and return themwhen they are no longer needed.
Bigmachines often take theplaudits and itwas JLG
Industries’ turn toenjoy thepublicityas it launched
what is now the largest self-propelledaerial
platform in theworld, the56.4m (185 ft) platform
height 1850SJ, offeringamaximumoutreachof
24.4m (80 ft) andan impressive 21.3m (70 ft)
outreachat aheight of 36.5m (120 ft).
Competinghead-to-headwith TerexAWP’s SX-180
machine launched last year at bauma, the 1850has
a similar geometry, witha five section stickboom –
JLG’s first five sectionboom – and telescoping
fly jib.
In some respects too similar for Terex’s liking – the
rivalmanufacturer has sent a letter toJLG claiming
that JLG’s outrigger design, using
185 ftboom isstarof theshow
hydraulic cylinders toextend theaxles, was in
breachof its patents for its ownX-profile chassis.
JLG said itwas confident it hadnot infringed
anypatents.
Regardless of that disagreement, it is clear
that the 1850SJ, like theSX-180, is a considerable
engineeringachievement. Theunitweighs 30 t
(60300 lb), requiring it tohavea special over-weight
permit in theUS, but not anover-size transportation
permit. Witha lengthof 14.5m (46 ft 9 in), it is just a
coupleof feet longer thanJLG’s 1500unit.
“Weareexcited to introduce theworld’s largest
boom to the industry,” saidJeff Ford, JLG Industries
global product director, aerial workplatforms.
“This one-of-a-kindmachine represents the latest
exampleof JLG’s longandwell-documented
historyof innovation inboom lift designand
manufacturing.”
The 1850SJ is already inpre-productionandwill
be ready to ship this spring. List price isUS$614950,
which compares to$516725 for the 1500.
