What’s Up in the Dumps
Published: 27/9
If ever a machine was ready made for the realities of the 21st Century construction environment, it’s the mini-dumper. Their size makes them the obvious choice for small to medium-sized jobs while also turning what often had been manual labor tasks into more efficient and ergonomically friendly processes. And with so many models powered by readily recharged batteries, mini-dumpers offer a safe, environmentally sound, and low-noise solution for nearly any jobsite setting, indoors and out. Here is a sampling of recent developments in this most intriguing and innovative of product categories.
Mecalac’s Revotruck combines cab rotation with exceptional off-road capabilities
Mecalac’s new Revotruck allows operators to rotate the entire cab 360° at the touch of a button to keep their vision and focus on the job and obstacles on site while maintaining an ideal, comfortable position. Together with its other features, the Revotruck makes material transport smarter and safer.
According to Mecalac, dumpers account for almost a third of all transport-related accidents on construction sites. The frequency of incidents is particularly high on machines weighing more than 6t, where the accident rate is even more worrying because the quantity of material being transported in the skip obscures visibility as it moves.
To minimize this risk, Mecalac’s research and development team carried out an in-depth analysis of worksites, identifying visibility, stability and maneuverability as major issues. These observations were the driving force behind the creation of the Revotruck, an innovative concept developed from scratch to proactively address these challenges. Two sizes are available. The Revotruck 6 offers a traditional 6t payload and incorporates the latest Mecalac innovations, drawing upon the extensive know-how and heritage in site dumper manufacturing and market. Revotruck 9 provides an increased payload capacity of up to 9t, and also embodies the concentrated excellence observed in the 6t version.
To ensure stability and traction in all ground conditions, Revotruck also features an exclusive chassis with central oscillation. The two oscillating parts of the chassis follow the contours of the ground independently, ensuring stability and permanent traction on all types of terrain. Other features include switchable steering modes (2-wheel, 4-wheel, crab) enabling the dumper to work with agility in confined spaces and with a turning radius halved compared with conventional articulated dumper trucks. Four large access points at each corner of the driver’s cab to ensuring safe, effortless access whatever the orientation of the cab. Already the recipient of several European design awards, the Revotruck will be introduced to the U.S. market in October.
Another milestone for Messersi
Over the past six decades, Messersì has become one of the most important and active Italian companies producing compact machines. So it’s hardly surprising that Messersì offers what may well be the world’s largest selection of compact tracked wheelbarrows and dumpers, with payloads of up to 11,000 lb (5,000kg). The latest step in Messersì tracked dumper projects was showcased earlier this year at Intermat—a new version of the popular 1.5t TC150d tracked dumper. Now featuring an updated chassis and bonnet design and improved dashboard, the TC150d is a very versatile machine that can be configured according to the task at hand--front skip with loading shovel, swivel skip, hi-tip skip with loading shovel, three-way dumping platform, concrete mixer with loading shovel, and many others. Two piston pumps and the servo-assisted levers make the TC150d very easy to drive in every condition, while the 21.3-hp (15.9kW) three-cylinder Kubota engine give the power to face the worst slopes full load. What’s more the new version can accommodate a 24.8-hp (18.5kW) three-cylinder Kubota engine for extra power.
Messersi’s all-terrain TC350d is a “real” 7,700-lb (3,500kg) payload track dumper but in a very compact and easy-to drive. It is equipped with the 180° swivel skip with approximately 2.6 yd3 (2m3) volume capacity Controls are completely pilot-assisted through joysticks assembled on the armrests of the driver’s seat, which rotates 180° to keep the operator oriented in the running direction. An electric-hydraulic switch permits to maintain the position of the joy-stick’s control in correspondence with the running direction however the seat is oriented. The TC350d has a 65.1-hp (48.6kW) Kubota common rail engine and diagnostic system to control all the parameters, and is available with optional closed cab option and 17.7-in (450mm) tracks.
Since 2013, Messersì has faced the challenge of electric propulsion with battery-powered tracked dumpers as part of the Zero Emission line. The TC120e has a capacity of 2,645-lb (1,200kg) and fully electric transmission with two heavy duty electric motors ideal for working in the most demanding conditions. The 48-cell, 15.4-hp (11.5kW) lithium-ion-phosphate battery packs are placed in such a way as to ensure greater stability to the machine. In the standard version, the TC120e Zero Emission is equipped with a bucket with front discharge, but is also available with variable high-dump bucket, with self-loading shovel, with rotating bucket with 180° unloading. It can also be equipped with a radio remote control for remote control.
For smaller applications, Messersi’s TC50e has an 1,100-lb (500kg) payload and a width of only 26 in (660mm) to navigate standard-sized doors, to access and steer without difficulty even in the narrow spaces of corridors, stair landings. It adopts a mixed electric / hydraulic transmission driven by a 7.4-hp (5.5kW) electric motor powered by a 28-cell Lithium-Iron-Phosphate battery for a 5- to 6-hour work shift. Both Zero Emission models are equipped with a Battery Management System, and can be fully recharged in seven hours.
The benefits of JCB’s battery-electric dumpers
JCB offers five construction site dumpers, two of which are battery-electric models—the ride-on 1TE which has a 2,205 lb (1,000kg) capacity and the walk-behind HTD-5E with a 1,102-lb (500kg) capacity. Well-suited for both outdoor and indoor jobsites, both machines can give a full day of operation on a single charge using 110V or 220V power, though depending on activity, the machines can sometimes go two or three days between charging. Typical charge time is around 75 minutes. And with the optional JCB Universal Charger, the batteries can be rapidly recharged for extended operation. Just over 10 ft (3.1m) long and 3.66ft (1.1m) wide, the 1TE can travers most any site conditions with its 10-in (263mm) ground clearance. The high-tip skip allows the dumper to unload material into dumpsters or large containers. The HTD5-E is just 28 in (710mm) wide, allowing it to fit easily through any standard doorway. Its 4.75 ft (1.45m) load over height can accommodate skips or high-sided vehicles. While the 1TE and HTD-5E dumpers and their battery packs are designed to give users the same payload capacity and travel distance as their diesel or gas counterparts, they offer several unique advantages such as no exhaust fumes and quieter operation—14 dB less noise than diesel or gas models, an increasingly important feature for demolition work around schools, hospitals, and urban settings. Other features include instant torque and response for improved cycle times and productivity, and better operator comfort and less fatigue due to low vibration. The absence of an engine also means lower maintenance and operations costs, and no wasted fuel from idling.
Electric pioneer HG Machines expands its horizons
At the forefront of electric construction equipment for more than half a century, HG Machines of Denmark has helped ease the transition by manufacturing what the company says are simple electric dumpers that perform similarly to or better than the traditional combustion engine alternatives. While the company also produces dumpers powered by conventional combustion engines, it nevertheless touts the environmental and health advantages of its emission-free products, which include the 1t E1000, 2t E2000 models. Both are highly regarded for their reliability, minimal maintenance requirements, and user-friendly operation in tight spaces. The 1t E1000 High Tip version has the added benefit of unloading directly over containers and trailer rims up to 49.2 in (125cm) high. All machines feature approximately 12 hours of run time, with only 90 minutes required to recharge the batteries from 20% to 80% capacity. Now, those advantages are coming to North America through HG’s recently announced exclusive distribution partnership with Makinex. HG Machines CEO, Nikolaj Birkerod calls the new collaboration “a significant step for HG Machines, as it expands our global reach and ensures that our mini dumpers are readily available to the American market.” Makinex will also distribute two of HG Machines’ gas-powered mini-dumpers—the 1t H1000 and H1000 High-Tip.
AUSA redesigns and improves its 6t dumpers
AUSA has launched two new 6t articulated dumpers—the D601AHG+ and D601APG+. Building on the success of their predecessors, the new models are equipped with new features to improve functionality and increase safety. The new rear styling combines design with practicality. The size of the bonnet has been increased to provide unrivaled accessibility to the engine and maintenance parts. Air, oil and fuel filters, radiator, tanks are optimally positioned to keep downtime to a minimum.
To comply with new European rollover protection standards requiring enclosed cabs for dumpers with an operating weight of 7,716-9,920 lb (3,500-4,500kg), AUSA provides three different configurations for the D601AHG+ and D601APG+: folding ROPS protective structure with safety rails that are 96% larger than on current models, open cab, and heated enclosed cab. In addition, the D601AHG+ and D601APG+ models will continue to be equipped with safety features such as a seat with a presence sensor, seat belt with buckle sensor, negative brake, and front-view camera. And to help reduce operator fatigue, the new D601AHG+ and D601APG+ dumpers are equipped with a high-comfort seat with built-in suspension, ensuring comfort in the vehicle and reducing tiredness during long working days. Earlier this year, US-based Oshkosh Corporation announced that it had acquired AUSA, providing a new product brand to complement its JLG® line of telehandlers and Hinowa-manufactured tracked dumpers and forklifts to strengthen the portfolio of Oshkosh’s Access segment. The companies began working together through a partner agreement in 2020, with AUSA manufacturing the JLG-branded SkyTrak® 3013 compact telehandler.
DMI’s little electric helper
Everyone can use a little help around the jobsite, and the E50 electric wheelbarrow from DMI Tools of Utah is an ideal solution for all kinds of transport operations.Bottom of Form Debuted at last year’s World of Concrete, the DMI E50 easily moves loads up to 1,100 lbs (500kg) and is absolutely silent thanks to the pure electric drive, which includes a 100kW 48V brushless DC motor.
An extremely slim design and compact dimensions allows the DMI E50 to pass through narrow gates, paths, and doorways. Motoring up to 3.1 mph (5 kph), the DM150 stops on the proverbial dime with an electromagnetic brake. Along with a payload capacity of 8.34 ft3 (.24 m3), the electric tilt function makes any loading and dumping job easier. The 48V/32A lead-acid battery lasts 8 to 10 hours, depending on activity, and can be recharged for another day’s work in about 7 hours.
Twinca dumpers promote environmentally sound safety
Twinca’s E-model mini-dumpers combine classic machine elements with the latest available battery technology. According to the company all models feature a safety device pre-mounted to the steering mechanism that reverses the direction of motion when activated. In this way, the driver is never in danger of being squeezed between a structure and the machine. The tipping point is placed correctly in proportion to the front-axle in order to support the stability and safety of the operator and prevent the mini-dumper from falling over. The skip, made of high-strength steel, is geometrically designed in a trapezoidal shape to allow material to slide freely during discharge.
The Twinca range begins with the E-500, with a load capacity of 1,100 lb (500kg) and a height of 37.4 in (950mm) for comfortable loading. The machines’ auto-steering mechanism reduces the need for physical manpower to a minimum level, even when the mini-dumper is heavily loaded.?An adjustable steering mechanism ensures the operator has an optimal ergonomic working position and reduces the physical workload. Topping the Twinca range is the ES-800 model with a loading-capacity of 1,764 lb (800 kg), which is ideal for larger construction site tasks such as e.g. demolition. The ES-800 is equipped with hydraulic high lift. With an unloading-height of up to 55 in (1,394mm), the ES-800 guarantees a safe, easy and problem-free unloading process. A fully charged battery can run the machine throughout a full working day and can be recharged within 5 to 6 hours.?
Wacker Neuson DV45 is loaded with technology
Introduced last year, Wacker Neuson’s ride-on DV45 Dual View Dumper features a hydraulic swivel tip skip with a maximum payload of 9,259 lb (4,200kg). At the press of a button on the right joystick, an electro-hydraulic system rotates while stationary or in motion. Wacker Neuson says this feature allows the operator to work in a detailed and precise manner when backfilling trenches or navigating obstacles, preventing accidents and damage in the process.
The DV45’s optional Multi View mode provides the ability to work with a cabin turned to the side, allowing the operator to see the entire lateral work environment and empty the load accurately. Multi View mode also automatically reduces speed for greater safety. The skip can be automatically returned to the transport position at the push of a button, during which the machine can be operated normally.
Safety features include an inclination monitoring system that the operator if the machine is tilted in an unsafe standing position or becomes unstable, the inclination monitoring intervenes and warns the operator. An optical and acoustic signal display both the speed limitation with the skip tilted in an unsafe position as well as an unstable machine position.
The machine also includes an Active Sense Control (ASC) radar system that warns the operator of approaching objects. ASC scans the machine’s surroundings in real time for possible obstacles. Where necessary, the system promptly slows the machine down and, if required, it will also bring it to a standstill. Even trailer operation or tight parking maneuvers have been considered: the system can be switched to blind for a short time so as to not impede the operation.
Meet the Toro E2500 Ultra Buggy
Exceptional runtime and a compact design make Toro’s E2500 Ultra Buggy nimble and convenient. Powered by the Toro-developed HyperCell® battery technology, the Ultra Buggy matches the power of the manufacturer’s traditional gas-powered products, and is optimized to deliver up to eight hours continuous runtime. The machine and its components, including the thick polyethylene tub—have been designed and tested to achieve a 2,500-lb (1,136 kg), while the 31.5-in (801mm) width allows easy access through standard doors. A zero turn-radius allows navigation in tight and hard-to-access areas. Mounted directional and dump switches provide the operator continuous motion on the machine and eliminates the need to fully stop the machine to change direction or dump the load. An auto-return dump feature ensures the tub automatically returns to the resting position so the operator can focus on retrieving the next load.
