Hire and Rental News - August 2018

FEATURE INDUSTRY in FOCUS 58 HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS • AUGUST 2018 ccording to Martin Lehner, CEO of the Wacker Neuson Group, the company already well exceeds emissions reduction regulations. The new zero emission products are now in addition to its portfolio of conventional compact machines, which already produce fewer emissions than cars. “Zero emission products will enable operators to carry out tasks on urban construction sites much more quietly and without producing any emissions at all,” Martin said. “Our systematic expansion of the Wacker Neuson zero emission range is a logical step for us as we look to the future. For many years now, legal regulations governing emissions from construction equipment have been getting stricter. We are going one step further here and aim to offer at least one zero emission solution in each of our main product groups,” Martin said. “Before we launch a new zero emission product, we have to be sure the machine offers value for money over its service life and is cost-effective to run. This includes ensuring each battery can run for an average working day on a single charge.” The fully electric zero tail EZ17e mini excavator was extremely well received by visitors, Martin said. “This 1.7 ton electric excavator is the perfect choice for environments where emissions and noise have to be kept to a minimum, for example in urban areas or for work inside buildings and tunnels, and on sites close to schools and hospitals." The DW15e electric wheel dumper with all-wheel drive and a 1.5 ton payload is the latest addition to the zero emission family. This machine is ideal for transporting material in areas highly sensitive to emissions and noise. The DW15e is equipped with two electric motors, one for driving the machine and one for the hydraulics. This enables operators to reduce power independently, Zero emission equipment and digital world on display Visitors to the ‘Wacker Neuson Universe’ event held at its Austrian production site in Hörsching, near Linz, from 16–21 June were given a look behind the scenes during a factory tour which showcased the company’s line-up of zero emission products. on demand, and also minimises energy consumption. When the machine is braking or traveling downhill, energy is fed back into the battery. This means the energy is not converted into heat – as is the case with conventional machines – but is used to charge the battery. The maintenance-free battery comes with an integrated charger that can be connected to a conventional domestic socket. The EZ17e and the DW15e will be available from 2019. Visitors to the ‘Universe’ also witnessed Wacker Neuson’s commitment to digitalisation first hand during the company’s service and HoloLens presentation. “The presentation included Wacker Neuson’s new telematics solution that comes with its own app to deliver outstanding service and proved just as popular as the company’s digital maintenance and repair services. “Wacker Neuson simulated a service call to show how experts can remotely guide on-site service technicians and help them repair machines. At another station, customers were able to use virtual reality simulators to see and operate products that are still at a very early stage of development, enabling them to provide valuable feedback directly at the event. The digital experience was rounded off with a 360 degree video that gave visitors the chance to virtually immerse themselves in the zero emission world of Wacker Neuson and marvel at how quietly and cleanly construction sites can be operated in sensitive areas such as zoos,” Martin said. During the week,Wacker Neuson unveiled its new 9 ton WL95 wheel loader. As the largest wheel loader in the portfolio, the WL95 is targeted at customers with high-volume material handling requirements. Equipped with the new ecospeedPRO continuous, hydrostatic gearbox, the WL95 can reach speeds of up to 40km/h without changing gear while offering greater traction than comparable models. The WL95 will be available from October. Visitors also had the chance to test the new dual view, four-wheel dumpers from Wacker Neuson. These models will be available in the 6 to 10ton class. “Dual view is an innovative concept with a rotating seat that redefines safety on construction sites. Operators can turn the entire operating console and seat by 180 degrees, ensuring they always have a clear view in the direction of travel when transporting, loading and unloading material. These four-wheel dumpers can carry out all conventional transport tasks and also feature a host of additional Wacker Nesuon's Austrian factory tour showcased the company’s line-up of zero emission products A