The Voice Coil Drive is based on the same principle used to vibrate the diaphragms of loudspeakers. Parker says that it is the first full range manufacturer to use it to control the high forces within hydraulic valves. By producing dynamics on a par with modern servo valves, the VCD technology results in a much simpler valve structure, the manufacture says.

The new pilot operated D*1FP series brings the advantages of the VCD to larger frame sizes and higher flow rate valves. The high dynamics and precision of each new pilot valve delivers optimum control of the main spool, resulting in servo class performance from the complete valve, the company claims.

In addition to the benefits offered by the high dynamics, the control behaviour of the valves ensures high stability in operation and easy, time-saving installation and set-up, it is claimed.

A new safety concept with the pilot valve can also reduce the need for additional shut-off valves in hydraulics systems. It works via a safe fourth position of the D1FP pilot valve to ensure that the main stage is hydraulically balanced at power down and the main spool is in a safe position.

The new D*1FP series is available in four sizes: NG10 (CETOP05), NG16 (CETOP07), NG25 (CETOP08) and NG32 (CETOP10). With flow rates of up to 3000 litres/min, the valves bring Voice Coil Drive technology to almost any size of hydraulics system, Parker says.

Germany's VDMA reports that the sales by the country's construction equipment and building material machinery producers fell 43 percent in 2009 to 9.5 billion euros. Export sales fell 46 percent from their 2008 level, while domestic sales fell only slightly less dramatically by 33 percent.

"2009 has been the most difficult year ever for our industry," said VDMA chairman Dr Christof Kemmann.

Sales of building material machinery fell particularly badly, declining 51 percent to 5.3 billion euros compared to the previous year.

The fall in sales of construction equipment was a little less dramati, falling by 18 percent to 4.2 billion euros.

Of all equipment types, only tunnelling machines avoided a decline in 2009.

As well as the fall in sales, VDMA also reports a fall in new orders taken by manufacturers. Order intake for construction equipment fell by 46 percent in 2009, and for building material machinery by 58 percent. Different parts of the industries were affected in different ways, the VDMA says. Earth moving and road construction machinery saw a more stable demand by the end of the year, whereas manufacturers of concrete technology and building material machinery have yet to see any upward trend return.

The VDMA added that although there appeared to be little prospect of a strong return to health in previously key export markets - such as the Middle East, Russia/Eastern Europe, the USA and Spain - manufacturers of construction machinery are expecting their turnover to increase by five percent in 2010. Their hopes are pinned on exports to China and India, and traditional markets in Europe.

However, manufacturers of building material machinery are expecting a further 10 percent decrease in sales in 2010.

Kemmann said that the industry would now have to consider reducing its capacity, be realistic, and accept that the boom years of the recent past cannot be regarded as normal market conditions. South America and North Africa are also cited as growth regions.

The VDMA expects that the Bauma trade show that it owns, and is being held 19-25 April in Munich, will help stimulate demand. Kemmann said: "We are convinced that Bauma will help also to boost the change in mood."

In the USA, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) reports that construction equipment exports from that country fell by more than 38 percent in 2009, compared to 2008. The total value of 2009 shipments was $12.8 billion

On the brighter side, the decline got less bad as the year progressed, with the fourth quarter exports up 26 percent on the third quarter. The AEM gets its numbers by consolidating US Commerce Department data for off-road equipment with other sources into quarterly export trend reports.

"Exports have literally been a lifeline for the construction equipment industry, which saw US business plummet more than 40 percent last year and unemployment soar to more than double the national average," said AEM president Dennis Slater. "Global trade has been a significant source of industry expansion in recent years, and many economies are now rebounding faster than the US."

Slater called for government assistance to ease travel restrictions for international customers, suggesting that difficulty in obtaining visas to visit the USA was a key reason why the triennial Las Vegas Conexpo failed to attract the same global audience as Germany's Bauma trade fair.

"To help boost US exports, it is essential that federal government policies make it easier for American companies to pursue international business, and for international buyers to more easily travel to the United States to examine and buy American products," he said.

Slater added: "AEM welcomes the [Obama] Administration's renewed focus on revamping the US visa-application process. International attendance at our trade shows would be much higher if qualified buyers were not subjected to an overly complicated and seemingly arbitrary process. These are established business people, and many just give up and vow to spend their money in other countries. We continue to hear numerous complaints of long waiting times and denial after a superficial review. We have experienced up to a 20-percent refusal rate for our Conexpo-Con/Agg construction show, and we estimate our recent AG Connect Expo agriculture show lost significant international attendance because of visa issues. For example, with one potential Indian delegation of about 80 business people, some 90 percent were denied visas."

AEM's report included a regional breakdown of export sales. Shipments to South America declined 29 percent in 2009 for a total of $2.4 billion compared to 2008. Central America took delivery of $1.3 billion worth of US construction equipment, a 34 percent decrease, and exports to Asia dropped 35 percent in 2009, for a total of $2 billion.

Export business to Europe declined 51 percent to $1.5 billion in 2009, and construction machinery exports to Canada dropped 41 percent for a total of $3.7 billion.

Africa recorded purchases of $986 million worth of US construction equipment, a drop of 29 percent, while exports to Australia/Oceania decreased 46 percent to $962 million for 2009.

The top buyers of U.S.-made construction machinery for 2009 were: (1) Canada - $3.7 billion, down 41 percent; (2) Mexico - $1 billion, down 28 percent; (3) Australia - $922 million, down 47 percent; (4) Chile - $763 million, down 16 percent; (5) Brazil - $513 million, down 29 percent; (6) China - $487 million, up 15 percent; (7) Colombia - $392 million, down 17 percent; (8) Belgium - 360 million, down 48 percent; (9) South Africa - $353 million, down 49 percent; (10) Peru - $319 million, down 20 percent; (11) Saudi Arabia - $238 million, down 44 percent; (12) Singapore - $214 million, down 48 percent; (13) Russia - $209 million, down 58 percent; (14) India - $181 million, up 55 percent; (15) Venezuela - $165 million, down 57 percent.

Williams continued, "Experienced operators have tested the prototype on over 4000 cuts and prefer the cruncher to other models emphasising its ease of use, portability, clean debris discharge and importantly the clean break off properties on the pile."

Other advantages of the Cruncher are the machine weighs less than 700kg and is suitable for operation on 13 tonne machines. It also cuts the concrete and reinforcing in one motion, retains the debris, and then drops it in a dumper or designated area. The Cruncher can be used to remove the desired concrete only leaving some to tie into the floor reinforcing.

At less than 1 metre square has a smaller footprint than the competition, allowing work in confined areas and can be transported on a pallet or light pick-up.

The Cruncher is available for hire or sale from Mike Williams and demonstrations can be arranged. You can also see the Cruncher in action on the company's website - just follow the link below.

BM Attachments will also be bringing and demonstrating the 'Cruncher' at SED 2011.

Established in 1955, McCauley Trailers Ltd began by producing trailers for the home markets of the UK and Ireland. It has since grown to have a presence in more than 16 countries and now plans to expand into France and Germany this year.

McCauley Trailers manufactures under two brand names: McCauley for its agricultural range and MAC for its commercial range. However, the company said that feedback from its European distributors found the MAC brand to be better received than McCauley in export markets.

Therefore it has decided to unify its agricultural and commercial products within the European market under the MAC brand with a new identity. In the interim period the company's agricultural trailers will continue to be branded as 'McCauley' in its home markets.

The rebrand includes the launch of a new-look website at http://www. mccauleys.co.uk.

Operations manager Jonathan Hanna said: "The recent rebrand of our MAC brand is monumental as it demonstrates as a company we are moving forward. After more than 55 years manufacturing McCauley branded trailers, it goes without saying this was not an easy decision. However, we have found our European customers prefer a single branded supplier. We are still the same company but with a new visual identity. When our customers purchase a MAC Trailer they will still be dealing with McCauley Trailers Ltd."

Marketing coordinator Assumpta O'Neill added: "The new logo and image revamp represents an important phase in the company's growth and represents our move forward as an international business with a strong and clear international image. Today, McCauley Trailers Ltd is one of the fastest growing trailer manufacturers in Europe, producing one of the widest ranges of trailers for the transportation of plant and machinery. Through the rebrand we have applied a new structure to our product offering and have made it simpler for our customers to understand what we stand for."

He is donating a 3C backhoe loader with attachments and spare parts to help with reconstruction efforts in the country's second city Concepcion which was hit by an 8.8-magnitude quake on 27 February, killing more than 700 people. About 1.5 million homes were also damaged and initial estimates put the cost of rebuilding at between $15bn and $30bn.

JCB - which has a backhoe factory in Brazil - is supplying the machine through its Chilean dealer Derco, which is also making available free-of-charge a fleet of used machinery for the authorities to use in rebuilding efforts. Derco's HQ in the capital, Santiago - 270 miles from Concepcion - have been badly damaged by the quake. Its premises in Concepcion were largely unaffected.

Sir Anthony said: "This is one of the most powerful earthquakes on record and it has had a catastrophic effect on Concepcion. I hope in some small part our donation will contribute to the rebuilding effort and help some of those people whose lives have been turned upside down by this disaster."

The contribution to the aid effort follows a series of other JCB machinery donations in recent years to other parts of the world hit by natural disasters, including the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan Province in China, when six backhoe loaders worth over $600,000 and a team of operators were sent from the company's factory in Shanghai to help the clear-up effort in the region. JCB also donated machines worth more than £1 million to help in the aftermath of the Asian Tsunami in 2004, with diggers deployed to Thailand, southern India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

Earlier this year JCB donated equipment worth $150,000 to help the disaster relief effort in Haiti following the earthquake that killed around 220,000 people.

In response, Tracker is set to launch a new system called Locate that signals an alert if there is an attempt to jam the communication system or tamper with the unit. It then uses precision VHF technology (rather than GPS) to track the vehicle's location.

Tracker's managing director Stephen Doran said: "There is an over-reliance, particularly on GPS alone, as a security and recovery system."

Documents are configured with an integrated bar code (which can be positioned in a number of places) to enable retrieval and the scanned document is stored as a PDF image to retain signatures, damage reports and the like. Barcodes can be incorporated in almost any document (hire contracts, delivery/collection/off hire/exchange notes, customer service receipt and return notices) and the system can even print barcodes to attach to incoming documents such as a supplier's purchase invoice.

Having all the delivery notes computerised minimises storage requirements and allows fast recall without needing to search dozens of paper files. "Documents can be easily retrieved and emailed on to customers when required, reducing time spent away from the hire desk," said Katy Williams, director of sales and marketing at Higher Concept.

"Some companies have issued drivers with hand-held computers but these are prone to get broken and cost up to £1,000 each," said Williams, adding: "With our system the machine handover is done with universally acceptable traditional paperwork while the computer hardware is kept in the office."

The machine has a mechanically-driven trenching chain, simplified controls, a new operator's cab and a dedicated GPS grade control specifically for trenchers. Mechanical drive is said to deliver more engine power to the chain making the machine is more fuel efficient with good production rates.

Digging depths can be up to 2.6m with trench widths between 160mm and 400mm. It comes with side-slope levelling and can be slewed for curved trenching.

A rise-and-fall operator's cab provides the optimum view of the worksite and the digging mechanism is controlled by a single joystick. The GPS system, which was developed by Trimble and Mastenbroek, enables surveying through to as-laid plans.

Power for the 22t machine comes from a Stage IIIA Cummins QSM 11 engine delivering 260kW with hydrostatic drive to 650mm wide triple grouser pads on oscillating tracks.

The machine is fitted with liftable pipe boxes, two independent folding pipe reels and walkways to assist safe pipe loading.

"Telematics should offer savings of at least 10% within days, while we'll have to wait longer for most other technologies to make the same difference," said Robin Dickeson, the SMMT's manager of commercial vehicle affairs.

Richard Turner, leader of the Commission for Integrated Transport's van group, will deliver the keynote speech with contributions from systems suppliers and Tesco.com which will explain how telematics cut the environmental impact of its home delivery fleet.

The seminar will take place at the SMMT's London head office on 24 March and is free to members or £50 + VAT for non-members.

The smooth drum CS44 weighs in at 7.24t and the padfoot some 400kg heavier while the 1,676mm wide smooth drum can also be fitted with padfoot shells. Both machines are powered by a 75kW Cat C4.4 engine providing a travel speed of 12.3km/h while a limited slip diff maximises rear wheel traction and a one-piece sloping rear hood allows the operator to see a 1m high obstacle 1m from the machine

Centrifugal force is created by a double-sealed pod-style weight housing which is said to have a longer service life and be easier to replace. In high amplitude it produced 134kN and half that in low mode while the use of synthetic oil allows a 3-year/3,000hr change intervals.

The oil change intervals are mirrored by the machine's main hydraulic system although that is filled with Cat HYDO oil.

The new TA300 replaces the TA30 and is said to be the only 30-ton hauler with fully independent front suspension as standard. This makes the machine easier to handle and shortens cycle time, thereby increasing productivity, while also reducing driver fatigue and component wear.

Terex said the new TA300 also tops the league table when it comes to power and torque (with 287kW and 1,775Nm respectively) while 100% differential locking ensures the power is turned into tractive effort and oil-cooled multiple-disc brakes provide the stopping power. At 17.5m3 the body is said to be among the largest in its class and is able to carry up to 28t with a 20 second dump cycle.

At the top of the weight range is the new TA400 which, like its smaller sister, benefits from a new hood and grill design. Inside the cab the air conditioning has been updated and noise levels have been reduced while the steering wheel has been re-designed and key operating switches have been move to the right hand side of the dashboard.

Engine oil service intervals for the TA400 have been extended to 500hrs, bringing it into line with the smaller machine.

Londoners Bernard Connolly of Gunwhale Close, Rotherhithe, and Robert Smith of Kender Street, New Cross, received prison sentences of 20 months and one year respectively at Cambridge Crown Court for three counts of conspiracy to steal. The pair used a transit dropside liveried in Hewden's colours (pictured) to dupe hire customers into parting with equipment even though the vehicle never belonged to the hirer.

They came to PANIU's attention following the theft of equipment in Hertfordshire worth £23,000. Local police passed on the information and PANIU was eventually able to trace the vehicle.

DC Zane Sibilant said PANIU only knows about the thefts on which the convictions were secured but as the vehicle was on an '04 plate, it may have been around some time and could have been involved in many more thefts. He is keen to hear from anybody who believes they may have fallen victim to the thieves' ploy.

In addition to the normal news round-up, the topics covered in this edition include plant theft, an interview with Kier Plant's managing director Ian Gordon and a preview of what will be at Bauma.
There is also a Finance Special to help plant owners survive the economic recovery - which might be trickier than you imagine.

Called the Push range, the new machines have platform heights of 2m (Push 200), 2.5m (Push 250) and 3m (Push 300) and come with improved heavy duty castors and auto brakes as standard and are said to be at least 10% lighter and quicker than other products on the market. The aluminium platforms are fitted with toeboards and a control panel with a battery monitoring meter prompting operators to re-charge the machines around natural stoppages in work.

Paul Gallacher, sales and marketing director at Pop-Up Products said: "We're really excited by this new range as it is completely different from anything available in the UK marketplace."

Orders for the new range can be placed now with delivery in the summer. Aftercare service, parts and maintenance for current Pop-Up and Pop-Up+ models will be provided through an agreement with IPS.

Unveiled this week at the Geneva motor show, the Rav4 gets a new bonnet, bumper, headlights and grille and will go on sale in the UK in the spring. In addition to restyling the vehicle, the new front end is also said to be more aerodynamically efficient, helping improve fuel economy.

Toyota offers two 2.2litre diesel engines (D-4D and D-CAT) and a 2litre Valvematic petrol. The D-4D is mated to a six-speed manual transmission while the D-CAT engine has a six-speed automatic gearbox with a sequential manual mode and the petrol gets a continuously variable Mutridrive S transmission.

The 110kW/340Nm D-4D diesel returns almost 49mpg in the combined cycle but this drops to just over 39mpg with the D-Cat version while fuel economy with the 116kW/198Nm petrol is below 38mpg.