New Bomag Tandem Roller

The American owned subsidiary of German road construction giant bomag, BOMAG Americas Inc., will launch its BW 900-50 at the upcoming 2011 Rental Show and 2011 CONEXPO Show for construction equipment for sale in Las Vegas. This newest generation 1-1.5 ton ride on roller is powered with the latest HONDA GX630 gasoline engine. With a working width of 35.4 in (900 mm) and an overall width of 37.8 in (961 mm) the machine is flexible for both small compaction applications and larger commercial jobsites. A compact design allows the user full operation advantages in restricted areas with tight space clearances.

Powerful front drum vibration delivers 3395 lbs (15,1 kN), 4200 vpm (70 Hz) and 0.020 in (0,5 mm) amplitude to ensure the required compaction is met for asphalt as well as sub-base materials. A large 36 gal (137 ltr) water tank and a pressurized water sprinkler system with interval flow timer perfectly suit the BW 900-50 for use on a variety of asphalt applications. The water system is filtered for protection and incorporates an easy drain function for time savings.

Two flexible scrapers per drum, an articulating and oscillating centre joint, and chamfered edge drums prevent surface marks on asphalt. Individual indicator lights and an hour meter clearly display all main roller functions to the operator. Quick and simple maintenance is aided by accessible fluid drain ports.

Safe and easy loading and unloading is possible with a single central lifting point or four corner lifting points. Two additional large tie down points located at the front and back of the machine secure the machine while transporting. For loading and driving on slopes, the mechanical parking brake ensures safe operation. The bomag BW 900-50 is equipped standard with essential safety features like the foldable ROPS, retractable seat belt, back-up alarm, and an emergency stop button. A lockable engine hood and the dash board with integrated theft control protect the roller against vandalism.

Working lights are an available option to assist with safe night operation.

BOMAG Raises Prices

One of the world's leading companies in the compaction and road rolling industry has announced a price rise. The German compaction equipment manufacturer bomag have stated that they have been forced to implement a price increase of 3% across its range of rollers and compactors. The company says that the price hike is due to higher material costs.

In a statement released by BOMAG, the company said that it had no choice but to pass on the increased cost of materials and components. The company also believes that this could be first of further price increases on their equipment.

In its statement bomag said it was "responding to cost increases for certain component groups, such as drives, rubber parts, NE metals and plastics, and which are expected to increase further over the next few months."

BOMAG are the world leaders in compaction technology, and have recently released innovations like the Asphalt Manager II system, which is an update to its already widely used and popular Asphalt Manager feature. AM has proved valuable to many road builders in efficiently compacting asphalt with other layers of aggregates.

Customers are expected to be disappointed by the price increases, as a difficult economic climate has put pressure on many users of road rolling and construction equipment.

The company have pulled no punches in saying further increases could be coming, and are unapologetic about the measures they are taking to balance the increase of material costs.

"BOMAG expects further cost increases in 2011 for other components and is obliged therefore to pass on a proportion of these increases and the associated costs in its product pricing," said the company in its statement.

BOMAG will be showcasing their range of equipment at the new prices at the BC India show in Mumbai between the 8th and 11th of February. The company will be exhibiting in the roller category alongside rival manufacturers from India and China.

New Minidumper Will Revolutionise Health and Safety on Construction Sites

A pair of British entrepreneurs have released a remote controlled minidumper with the intention of improving the safety of construction workers worldwide. Stuart Selway and Ryan Symes' creation is called the Shannon Solo, a 500kg hi-tip dumper which they believe will appeal to a broad market of users concerned with growing demands over health and safety.

Due to strict regulation in the construction industry, health and safety risks on construction sites is now a chief concern for buyers and operators of plant hire equipment, and it is this demand to reduce risks in the workplace that the new Shannon product is aiming to capitalise on. The remote controlled dumper is just the start. Selway and Symes plan to develop and produce a full range of remote controlled equipment designed to improve worker safety. The Shannon Solo remote control minidumper has an operational range of up to 100 metres, which Shannon believes will reduce the risk to any workers that are using it. The Solo can lift a maximum of 500 kilos, uses a scissor lift action and can load a standard skip.

The vehicle aims to solve the problems associated with sites that have gradients that can endanger workers, and other conditions such as deep water and nearby falling debris. The operating distance of the new minidumper keeps the operator out of harm's way, and Stuart Selway believes the Shannon Solo will be an asset to construction companies that want to reduce risk to their employees. "Because the Shannon Solo is operated by a remote control, it is safe to be used in hazardous areas, considerably reducing the number of times a person is exposed to the danger."

He added: "It can be used in quarries or demolition sites where there is a threat of falling debris, near deep water where people would normally be at risk, or in other dangerous areas like airports, power stations and railway sites."

Future products from the Shannon line have said to include a remote sprayer, post rammer, mower and dozer. Shannon has said these will all be launched in spring 2011. There are no current plans to develop a vehicle in the category of road rollers, where German compaction giant bomag leads the field presently. bomag have a wide range of compaction equipment is all sizes but have not developed a remote control product in this category. It is yet to be seen if Shannon will exploit this current gap in the market.

People will have their chance to see the Shannon Solo in action at the Executive Hire Show in Coventry, where it will be launched at the event in the Ricoh Arena from 9th to the 10th of February. The vehicle will also be on sale at the event.