What’s cracking in demolition attachments?
Published 12/9, 2024 at 14:28As the temperature is cooling down outside the window, things are heating up in the demolition and recycling industry. With a string of trade shows coming up in autumn – Demcon, bauma China, Ecomondo and, of course, bauma Munich 2025 – the suppliers are going into high gear. PDi’s Andrei Bushmarin presents the latest news from
the excavator attachments sector.
Simex expands screening bucket range with biggest model so far
Available in eight models for 1.2t to 50t excavators, the ‘VSE’ screening buckets from Italy based attachment expert Simex are designed for separating materials directly onsite. The VSE attachments allow for quick adjustment of the output size directly from the cab. This is ensured by the instant opening and closing of the shafts, with a maximum travel length of 40mm. Another standout feature is Simex’s patented ‘FIT’ screening tool technology, which allows easy interchange of every disc and blade without unstrapping the shafts. According to the Italian manufacturer, this means 75% less maintenance costs than its previous system. Simex offers four basic setups, however, multiple configurations are possible, depending on the materials to be screened. In pipeline backfilling operations, especially in the oil and gas industry, the instantly adjustable output size leads to considerable savings in time and money. Responding to the growing demand for screening buckets for special applications, Simex is now launching a new heavy duty model for laying underground pipes. With a bucket capacity of 3m3, the VSE 50 is intended for 35t to 50t excavators and currently this is the biggest model in Simex’s range.
German contractor uses Genesis shear for large scale scrap job
Based in Rastatt, Germany, recycling specialist Hofmann Entsorgung has expanded its fleet of demolition equipment with the addition of a 9t shear from Genesis. Hofmann operates a waste disposal and recycling centre in Rastatt, which is divided in five sites, each having a different focus. On one of these sites, with a floor space of 4,000m2, the company has been using a Genesis GXT 995R scrap shear fitted on a Liebherr 945 ‘Litronic’ crawler excavator since July 2024. Managing director Ralf Hofmann explains: “Our challenge is to cut down several thousand tons of scrap each year. This includes steel beams from demolished warehouses or heavy parts of industrial machinery.” In the past, Hofmann used a 6t Genesis shear for scrap cutting applications and remained satisfied with its performance. “With the new shear boasting twice the power and a large jaw opening of almost 1,000mm, we can now efficiently cut even larger cross sections. We are also expecting that the new attachment will have a longer service life,” says Hoffman. Operations manager Domenic Brammer confirms: “This innovative combination of a 9t shear and a 45t excavator can now handle larger pieces of scrap with ease.”
Epiroc launches two pulverisers with booster
Epiroc, a major provider of innovative solutions for the construction and mining industries, has announced the launch of new demolition pulverisers – the DP 2320 and the DP 4220 - equipped with a performance booster. With a service weight of 2,350kg, the DP 2320 is designed for 18t to 29t carriers. The larger DP 4220, weighing 4,220 kg, fits 38t to 57t excavators. The booster is said to increase the attachments’ performance by a whopping 20%, ensuring jobs are completed faster and more efficiently. The booster is designed to not only increase power but also minimise jaw cycle time by up to 25% for higher productivity. Another significant advantage is said to be a 35% reduction in fuel consumption of the carrier machine. The slim, modular design of the pulverisers eliminates the need for cylinder rod protection while the 360° endless rotation function ensures optimal positioning and precise handling on the job site.
Beilite Europe to unveil its biggest hammer at bauma China
The Netherlands based attachment specialist Beilite Europe is expanding its already ample product line with the addition of a new high performance hydraulic hammer – the BLTB-280. With a weight of 13.2t and a chisel diameter of 28cm, this hammer is specifically designed for the use on large excavators with an operating weight of up to 150t. The new model features robust construction and boasts high impact power. This flexibility allows construction companies to use the hammer for a variety of heavy demolition and construction tasks. Thanks to the 28mm chisel, the new hammer is ideal for such demanding tasks as rock breaking, demolishing massive concrete structures and other heavy duty applications. The BLTB-280 will be unveiled to the industry at bauma China in November, and it will be the highlight of Beilite Europe’s booth at bauma Munich next year.
Lekatech’s electric hammer shines on mining job in Finland
Lekatech, a Finnish startup specialising in electric powered hammers has collaborated with Normet (a major player in tunnelling and underground mining) on a job in the Pyhäsalmi mine in Finland, which is the deepest base metal mine in Europe. The challenging environment with nearly 1.5km mine depth provided the ideal testing ground for Lekatech’s fully electric hammer integrated with Normet’s Scamec LC Thor 095 A scaler. The Scamec LC Thor 095 A is a purpose built underground scaling machine designed for mining operations. Unlike traditional pneumatic or hydraulic hammers, the Lekatech electric hammer is built to deliver high impact energy with minimal environmental impact. By eliminating the need for hydraulic fluids and reducing overall energy consumption, the Lekatech electric hammer is designed to be a more efficient alternative for mining. The main objectives of the testing were to evaluate the impact energy and effectiveness of the electric hammer in real life scaling operations. Antti Anttila, CEO at Lekatech, expressed his enthusiasm about the test results by stating: “We were incredibly excited to see our fully electric hammer put to the test in an underground mine for the first time. Pyhäsalmi mine’s challenging conditions provided the perfect environment to demonstrate what our technology is truly capable of. This successful test confirms that our electric hammer is not just a concept, but a real world solution ready to revolutionise rock breaking.” Herkko Juntunen, product line director of Scaling, Logistics & Transportation, Normet concurred: “The testing of the Lekatech fully electric hammer with the Scamec LC Thor 095 A marks a significant advancement in mining electrification. The collaboration with Lekatech, highlighted by the successful results from Pyhäsalmi mine, reinforces our commitment to delivering on our promises of safety, reliability, and sustainability.”
Ignite Attachments presents nitrogen breaker series
US based supplier Ignite Attachments offers light, standard and heavy duty breakers for skid steers, loaders and mini track loaders. Utilising a nitrogen boost allows Ignite breakers to increase strike energy without increasing attachment weight for an optimal power to weight ratio and high impact power. A universal attachment interface allows for easy integration with any carrier brand. Units come standard with two tools - a moil and chisel. The series is designed for long life and minimal maintenance. Ignite breakers also use ‘Faster’ brand connect under pressure couplers and full nylon hose sleeves for easy, dependable operation in challenging demolition applications.
Okada America: serving customers since 1995
Having been serving customers in the demolition sector since 1995, Okada America has accumulated a big portfolio of demolition and recycling attachments. The manufacturer’s ‘OS’ series of scrap shear includes nine models for base carriers ranging in operating weight from 3t to 170t. The OS series is a versatile shear made for cutting ferrous and non-ferrous scrap, concrete, pipe, solid round I-beams, and plate materials. The attachments feature a speed valve for reduction in opening and closing times, 360o degree hydraulic rotation, interchangeable tip and blades. Okada’s product offering also includes ten models of fixed grapples for 1t to 50t carriers, eleven model of rotating grapples for 3t to 50t machines and five models of multi processors for 16t to 160t excavators. The company has three locations, which help it serve the clients all over the country.
Kemroc to showcase ‘KSI’ mixing attachment at InnoTrans 2024
Germany based Kemroc will use the InnoTrans 2024 trade fair in Berlin on 24 to 27 September to showcase its KSI mixing attachment for soil stabilisation and installation of foundations in various infrastructure projects. During the stabilisation process the blade of the KSI attachment, mounted on a conventional crawler excavator, penetrates the soil. A chain running along the length of the blade mixes the soil with a binder suspension pumped to the blade through hoses from a mixing plant, and the whole process is called the milling-mixing-injection (MMI) method. After hardening, a homogeneous, stable, load bearing and dense soil / concrete structure is created in the soil. This eliminates the need for costly transportation of large quantities of materials and concrete as well as the removal and disposal of excavated material. The MMI technology has already been used with large and heavy duty carriers. Depending on the blade length, the KSI attachments are suitable for 35t to 200t base machines. Mounted on standard excavators, they offer a lighter and more flexible alternative, with lower capital costs and lower transport costs to and from site. Construction companies without a dedicated MMI machine can now carry out this work using a KSI mixing attachment on their own standard excavator. The KSI attachments for excavators are available in various lengths from 5m to 16m and with cutter widths from 350mm to 950mm. Kemroc is currently developing a KSI mixing attachment with a double blade specifically intended for use in railway construction.
