Equipment report

Volvo CE tests electric wheel loader

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE), Brussels, has presented field test results for its LX1 prototype electric hybrid wheel loader. Volvo CE partnered with: Waste Management (WM), Houston, which carried out the field tests; Calstart, Pasadena, California, which conducted emission tests on the machine; and the California Energy Commission, which helped fund the LX

1 project. The LX1 is a series hybrid that consists of electric drive motors, electric driven hydraulics, a battery energy storage system and a smaller diesel engine. The prototype has 98 percent new parts and a new design. Since the end of last year, the LX1 has performed hundreds of hours of real work in two applications at WM facilities in California.

Testing began at the Redwood Landfill and Recycling Center, a green waste composting site in Novato, California.

Both fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emission tests were conducted at the facility and, though the data are still being analyzed, the Volvo CE says results so far show an average improvement of 50 percent in fuel efficiency, equating to a reduction of 35 percent in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The second test site was the Moreno Valley Transfer Station in Moreno, California. During the testing period, the LX1 achieved an average fuel efficiency improvement of around 45 percent.

Prior to testing the LX1, WM ran a conventional machine at both sites to gather baseline data.

Three operators from WM were trained and supported by Volvo CE engineers during the testing process. Once the testing was complete, the operators provided Volvo with their feedback.

Scott Young, electromobility director of Volvo CE, says the responses were positive. “They liked the dramatic reduction in noise, improved visibility over the rear of the machine, ease of operation and powerful hydraulics,” he says.

The operators also gave feedback on what could be refined with the wheel loader, such as improvements in traction control and gear shifting. The machine will be shipped back to Sweden for updates and tuning based on the operators’ responses.

The California Energy Commission provided more than $1.8 million of funding for the LX1 project through its Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program. The program invests up to $100 million per year to advance alternative, renewable fuels.

Bandit expands network

Middlebury, Vermont-based Champlain Valley Equipment and Carroll, Ohio-based Company Wrench Ltd. are now parts of Remus, Michigan-based Bandit Industries’ network of authorized dealers.

Company Wrench will offer sales, service and parts for Bandit whole tree chippers and Beast horizontal grinders.

“Company Wrench shares Bandit’s commitment to our customers to provide prompt parts, service and sales support,” says Jason Morey, a sales manager for Bandit Industries. “Their many locations mean Bandit customers will never be far from an authorized dealer.”

Company Wrench Ltd. has branches throughout Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida.

Champlain Valley serves Vermont residents’ farm, lawn and garden equipment needs. The company will offer Bandit’s lineup of small equipment, including hand-fed chippers, stump grinders and various attachments.

“When Bandit looks for dealer partners, we’re searching for people who are passionate about providing the absolute best customer support and service,” says Morey. “Champlain Valley Equipment has made that an integral part of its mission since its start in 1970. Whether it’s through sales, parts, service or rentals, the staff at Champlain Valley is committed to giving their customers the best experience possible.”

Champlain Valley has five locations in Middlebury, St. Albans, Derby, Berlin and East Randolph.

CBI holds factory forum in New Hampshire

Continental Biomass Industries (CBI), a Terex brand based in Newton, New Hampshire, is hosting its 2017 Factory Forum in New Hampshire at the CBI factory for three days in early October The dealer and customer event begins on the evening of Oct. 3 and runs through Oct. 5 at various locations throughout New Hampshire, including a night out in Portsmouth and a foliage tour through the White Mountains to see the first ever CBI in operation 29 years after it was built.

“The CBI Factory Forum is a great opportunity to connect with our customers and dealers from different markets around the world,” says Art Murphy, director of sales and marketing for Terex Environmental Equipment’s Americas branches. “Keeping our customers and dealers updated on the CBI and Ecotec product lines and building the technical knowledge base of their teams is essential to improving the experience in the field. Emerging challenges of contractors have always been key inputs to CBI’s purpose-built engineering philosophy. We look forward to an open dialogue on how to meet new challenges for our end users. The CBI Factory Forum is a great opportunity for customers and dealers to see how CBI machines are built, meet the people behind the machines and take a closer look at new CBI and Ecotec equipment.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to attend a series of workshops devoted to CBI machines, parts and service.

Case announces 2017 Diamond and Gold Dealer award winners

Case Construction Equipment, headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin, has named its 2017 Diamond Dealer and Gold Dealer award recipients as a part of its North American Construction Equipment Partnership Program.

The awards were created to recognize dealerships across the U.S. and Canada for excellence in five categories, including sales performance, marketing and communications, product support, parts support and training.

The 2017 Diamond Dealer award winners include: Birkey’s Construction Equipment, Illinois; Burris Equipment Co., Illinois; Crawler Supply, Louisiana; Groff Tractor, Pennsylvania and Maryland; Kucera Farm Supply, Ontario; Longus Equipment Inc., Quebec; Miller Bradford & Risberg, Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois; Monroe Tractor, New York and Massachusetts; Nueces Power Equipment, Texas; and Redhead Equipment, Saskatchewan.

The 2017 Gold Dealer award winners include: ASCO, Texas; Burks Tractor, Idaho; Crown Power & Equipment, Missouri; Eagle Power & Equipment, Delaware and Pennsylvania; Hills Machinery, North and South Carolina; HiTrac, Winnipeg and Manitoba; Lawrence Equipment, Virginia; McCann Industries, Illinois and Indiana; and State Equipment, Kentucky and West Virginia.

“This year Case celebrates 175 years of practical innovation in the construction industry, but our success wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for our extraordinary dealer network,” says Scott Harris, vice president for Case Construction Equipment in North America. “Congratulations to all of our 2017 Diamond Dealer and Gold Dealer Award winners, who have shown a continued dedication to providing the ultimate ownership experience for our customers, and a true commitment to developing the Case brand in North America.”

Case’s Partnership Program is designed to increase dealer performance and excel in their role as a “Professional Partner” to customers, says Case.

Bunting Magnetics acquires Global Magnetics

Newton, Kansas-based Bunting Magnetics Co. has announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Global Magnetics Inc. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

The Boca Raton, Florida-based company sells and distributes magnetic systems and mineral separation equipment designed and built by Master Magnets Ltd. throughout the United States, Canada, Central and South America.

In January 2017, Bunting Magnetics acquired another magnetics company, United Kingdom-based Master Magnets, a brand of industrial magnetic separation equipment, such as eddy current separators, permanent and electromagnets, sold through a worldwide network of distributors, including its acquisition, Global Magnetics Inc.

“Global Magnetics has a strong customer base and growth strategy in place to accelerate our footprint in the mining, minerals, quarry and aggregate industries with the world’s most innovative and quality processing and recycling equipment,” says Bob Bunting, president and CEO, Bunting Magnetics.

“With its deep understanding of these markets and our recent acquisition of Master Magnets, the business is an excellent strategic fit and brings a unique opportunity to be competitive in additional industries and markets.”

The company’s growth in these markets will be led by new sales team member Rich Evangelista, business development manager, aggregate, mining and minerals. In his new role, Evangelista is responsible for growing the Master Magnets line of equipment in these markets throughout the Americas.

Global Magnetics President Marshall Gralnick will assist in the transition in a consulting capacity.

Gralnick adds, “Global Magnetics and Bunting Magnetics share the desire to serve customers with high quality, innovative products. I look forward to working with Rich and the Bunting Magnetics team as they meet our customers, provide solutions to remove tramp metal from processing and recycling streams, and develop strategies to grow these markets.”

Rubble Master adds Titan Machinery to network

Titan Machinery, West Fargo, North Dakota, has become the official distributor of Valparaiso, Indiana-based Rubble Master crushing, recycling and screening equipment in all areas of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado and Arizona.

The partnership aims to expand the availability of Rubble Master machines, parts and service to new and existing customers.

Titan Machinery was founded in 1980 with 32 construction locations throughout the Midwest and Southwest U.S. Each location will provide sales, service and parts for the complete line of compact crushers, recyclers and screen plants offered by Rubble Master.

“We couldn’t be happier about our new partnership with Titan Machinery,” says Alex Taubinger, vice president of sales. “Titan Machinery has a world class dealer network which will allow for excellent distribution of machines, parts and service throughout all of Titan’s territories. Our goal via the Titan Machinery network is to offer our current and new customers an unparalleled level of customer service and support.”