Day 2 of one of the world's largest machinery and equipment expos CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 has begun and editor Dave Bullard is there, continuing his report from the show in Las Vegas.
As day 2 of the expo got underway it was quickly obvious from the crowds, the queues and the traffic that there were far more attendees than day 1. And with the busiest days to come it looks like this show could well exceed the record 125,000-strong crowd from the last show in 2014. Here are the higlights of the day:
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Volvo HX02 concept electric hauler
Volvo’s CONEXPO stand was one of the highlights of the show with 28 heavy machines on display – including this HX02 concept electric hauler shown to the public for the first time.
It’s a fully autonomous battery-electric truck capable of shifting a 15-tonne load at 40km/h.
Weighing in at 6.5 tonnes, the HX02 has four-wheel bi-directional drive and four-wheel steering, and can even crab-steer for easy positioning while loading.
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Komatsu PC138USLC-11 excavator
Komatsu America was showing off a few all-new machines at the epo, and also showcasing a number of Tier 4 Final-upgraded earthmover such as this PC138USLC-11 excavator.
The unit features the company’s simplified emissions system, which doesn’t use a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and has 100 percent passive regeneration.
The Australian availability of these machines has yet to be confirmed.
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Case SV340 Team Rubicon disaster response vehicle
This magnificent beast is a specialised Case SV340 skid-steer loader that’s been modified for use by the veteran-led disaster response organisation Team Rubicon.
The machine features special guards, an extra 10 LED lights and a custom roof rack built to hold four corner strobes, a shovel, demolition axe, chainsaw, recovery straps and rigging.
It was being shown with a 2m scrap grappler attachment at the expo.
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Bobcat E25 R-Series excavator
The world loves a new Bobcat, so there were plenty of excited punters gathered around the new R-Series excavators at the company’s CONEXPO stand.
Among the features of the new series are a redesigned undercarriage with dual-flange track rollers for added stability, windows with 15 percent more glass for improved visibility, bigger and more comfortable cabs, reduced vibration and more accessible tie-down locations.
The weird attachment on the pictured E35 is a packer wheel for compacting trenches without using a plate or auxiliary hydraulics.
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Avant 635 mini loader
Avant’s mini articulated loaders are pretty awesome bits of kit, and the Finnish company was showing one of its 635s in action at the expo.
Made small but strong for grougdcare, construction and maintenance works, this model can handle a 1100kg load, has a telescopic boom with a maximum lifting height of 2.8m and can cover the ground at a reasonable 22km/h.
Check out our Facebook page to see it in action.
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Menzi Muck M545 spider excavator
Menzi Muck promises that this M545 spider (or walking) excavator gives you “unlimited mobility”, and we reckon they wouldn’t be far wrong.
Made by a Swiss company, these things are the Swiss Army knives of the earthmoving world, with the ability to work on just about any slope or clamber over obstacles that would thwart any other excavator.
This M545 is the top model in the range, and the only one with sensor-steered hydrostatic all-wheel drive.