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  • Vermeer Corporation Acquires Electric Horizontal Directional Drill And Fluid Management Technology

    Vermeer Corporation Acquires Electric Horizontal Directional Drill And Fluid Management Technology

    Vermeer Corporation has announced it has acquired electric-powered horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and fluid systems technology from Normag. Through this acquisition, Vermeer assumes the rights to develop, manufacture and distribute the proven fully electric HDD rigs, generator sets and fluid management systems, which are currently operating across Europe under the Normag brand.
    As a world leader in the HDD and fluid management industry, this acquisition is a key part of the Vermeer strategy to meet growing demand for electric-powered worksite solutions.
    The Normag electric HDD technology offers a unique integrated electric power system that optimizes efficiency across the generator set, drill rig and fluid management systems during operations. When connected to the electric grid, the system can operate as a fuel-free system. All systems have also been designed to match standard international shipping container dimensions to reduce the machine footprint, jobsite set-up time, complexity and cost.
    “With this technology already proven in operations across Europe, our Vermeer team can now fast-track an electric HDD offering that helps operators better control their cost of operations and worksite impacts through reduced fuel use, near-zero emissions, limited noise and an overall smaller rig footprint,” said Vermeer President and CEO Jason Andringa. “This investment critically supports our innovation and product development focus to continually help customers optimize their worksite efficiency, while limiting environmental impact.”
    The Normag HDD system technology has been in development for more than eight years in the Netherlands. It was purpose-built to help companies comply with European transportation and worksite regulations and meet their goals to lower their environmental and worksite impacts. Drill rig and fluid packages have been piloted with customers across Europe for the last several years. Because they are European-market ready and tested, Vermeer will focus first on introducing the products to the European customer base to support large-diameter underground infrastructure projects. Products will be sold under the Vermeer brand in partnership with Vermeer dealers.
    All product development, engineering, marketing and production for the technology will immediately move to the Vermeer EMEA headquarters in Goes, Netherlands. Vermeer expects that its first rigs and fluid systems will be in production and ready for distribution in Europe by late 2021. That will likely include a system built around a 120-metric ton HDD rig, a 2,500-liter reclaimer and high-pressure pump. The company also plans to offer additional fluid systems in the first year to establish a range of reclaimers ranging from 750 to 3,000 liters per minute of cleaning capacity.
    As the products get established in Europe, the company will look to introduce them in key global markets where electric systems are desired, including North America and Australia. The intent is to bring the products to those markets within the next 24-36 months.
    Learn more about this acquisition at vermeer.com
    Source: Vermeer

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    Feb 12, 2021 - 4 years ago

  • The Kenworth T680 Next Generation: Kenworth Launches New On-Highway Flagship

    Next Generation Kenworth T680

    Kenworth launched the new Kenworth T680 Next Generation on-highway flagship during a virtual introduction today. The T680 Next Gen establishes a powerful new industry standard, and significantly expands upon the success of the classic Kenworth T680.

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    Feb 11, 2021 - 4 years ago

  • Kenworth & Peterbilt Zero Emissions Trucks Summit 14,115-Foot Pikes Peak

    Peterbilt-Zero-Emissions-Truck-Summits-14115-foot-Pikes-Peak
    Peterbilt 579EV and its integrated battery-electric technology.

     

    PACCAR has announced that a Kenworth T680 fuel cell electric vehicle and a battery electric Peterbilt Model 579EV became the first Class 8 zero emissions vehicles to drive to the 14,115 foot summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado.

    Both vehicles displayed superb power and exhibited excellent drivability over the 156 twisting turns and switchbacks during the 4,700-foot elevation gain to the summit. The trucks handily negotiated grades between 7 to 10 percent over the famous 12.42-mile Pikes Peak International Hill Climb course.

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    Feb 11, 2021 - 4 years ago

  • Pioneering Electro-Hydraulic Solutions In Construction Equipment

    Pioneering Electro-Hydraulic Solutions In Construction Equipment

    Volvo Construction Equipment and Finland’s Norrhydro have developed a digital hydraulic actuator that increases productivity while radically cutting fuel bills and CO2 emissions in construction applications. If widely adopted, it could help the industry meet its sustainability ambitions while at the same time improving machine performance.
    Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is committed to a sustainable future – achieved through internal developments and external partnerships. As part of this strategy Volvo CE, in cooperation with Finland’s Norrhydro, is developing a new technology that is set to revolutionize machine hydraulic performance. When commercialized, the potential customer and climate benefits are expected to be radical, with machine fuel efficiency significantly increased and CO2 emissions being cut. 
    While the full details of the revolutionary technology are closely guarded, the Norrhydro patented system, NorrDigiTM, uses a multi-chamber digital hydraulic actuator that improves system efficiency that much of a machine’s hydraulic system can be discarded or downsized. It removes the need for a main control valve – the heart of a traditional hydraulic system – along with excessive pump capacity, piping and hoses. It uses less energy and offers the prospect for downsizing the engine capacity. 
    The ongoing validations of the solution have demonstrated both efficiency improvement and an increased machine productivity. With carbon dioxide emissions reduced, it is making a radical cut in the machine’s carbon footprint. Volvo CE and Norrhydro have signed a multi-year agreement where Volvo CE will continue to develop the technology in partnership with Norrhydro, and subsequently aim for first mover advantage. Volvo CE has exclusive rights to its use in its products during the development process.

    Smart Cylinders 
    Unlike traditional cylinders with two chambers – one pushing, one pulling – the digital hydraulic actuator uses four chambers that can be connected in up to 16 different permutations, depending on the load required by the desired operation. “It’s a bit like a 16-speed linear transmission,” says Peter Stambro, Vice President Business Development at Norrhydro. “Multi-chamber cylinders have been around for a while, but what makes our ones exceptional is the way they have been combined with advanced electronic control systems, whose complex algorithms and computational speed allow for instant response, but using only a fraction of the energy for the same machine maneuver or action compared to a traditional system.” 
    “This is a prime example of how partnerships with outside experts can accelerate our own sustainability journey through technical innovation,” says Thomas Bitter, Head of Technology at Volvo CE. “In research so far, the system shows greatest benefits in larger machines – in the case of excavators, those 30 tons and above. However, in the future, the technology could also be used in electric machines, where its much greater hydraulic system efficiency would effectively extend the battery life and operating window,” concludes Bitter. 

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    Feb 10, 2021 - 4 years ago

  • Boosting Alberta Trucking Jobs, Training

    Boosting Alberta Trucking Jobs, Training

    New programs will improve access to trucking jobs and address driver shortages while keeping Albertans safe on the road.
    The new Driving Back to Work grant program will make the Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) required to earn a Class 1 commercial licence more affordable. The new Experience and Equivalency program will reduce the time it takes for Class 3 drivers to upgrade to a Class 1 licence. These changes do not affect the high training and safety standards required by MELT in order to keep Alberta’s roads safe.
    “Farmers, foresters, roughnecks and truckers made it clear that cost is the major barrier to hiring Albertans. Providing better paths to earn a Class 1 licence will help deal with a shortage of truckers, getting our goods to market safely. These programs are designed to put Albertans back to work today to build our economy tomorrow,” said Ric McIver, Minister of Transportation.
    “Creating good-paying jobs for Albertans has never been more important. Providing hundreds of unemployed Albertans with financial support so they can train to get behind the wheel safely, and recognizing safe drivers’ experience, will create jobs now and in the future and will ensure that critical supplies continue to flow across our province,” stated Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Innovation.
    “These programs break down costly barriers for unemployed Albertans to gain the skills needed to help address labour shortages in the trucking industry and gets Albertans back to work. By doing so, it also helps to broadly support Alberta’s economic recovery, as trucking connects businesses and communities with the goods they need to succeed,” quoted Jason Copping, Minister of Labour and Immigration.
    “Assisting with training costs for entry-level commercial drivers and specific programs to upskill and promote experienced commercial drivers will help put Albertans back to work while ensuring essential supply chains remain resilient. This grant will ensure that the new transportation workforce is trained by professional road and safety experts while we continue to address the issue of driver shortages and support Alberta’s economic recovery and diversification. The Alberta Motor Transport Association will continue to advocate for new ways to meet the demands of a more sophisticated and data-driven global supply chain while ensuring the utmost in safety training,” said Chris Nash, president, Alberta Motor Transport Association.
    The $3-million Driving Back to Work grant program will cover up to 90 per cent of the cost of the MELT program for 300 unemployed Albertans to earn a Class 1 commercial truck driver licence.
    The Experience and Equivalency Class 1 MELT Training Program will give Class 3 drivers with a minimum of two years of experience the opportunity to take a 40-hour Class 1 training upgrade instead of the 113-hour Class 1 MELT Program, which is focused on brand new drivers.
    Alberta’s Recovery Plan is a bold, ambitious long-term strategy to build, diversify, and create tens of thousands of jobs now. By building schools, roads and other core infrastructure we are benefiting our communities. By diversifying our economy and attracting investment with Canada’s most competitive tax environment, we are putting Alberta on a path for a generation of growth.

    Quick facts

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    Feb 9, 2021 - 4 years ago

  • Two Modern Ship-To-Shore Cranes Arrived Safely At Vanterm

    Two Modern Ship-To-Shore Cranes Arrived Safely At Vanterm

    In late November, GCT Global Container Terminals Inc. accepted the delivery of two modern 14,000 TEU capable ship-to-shore cranes at GCT Vanterm in Burrard Inlet in the Vancouver Harbour. After travelling roughly 9,200 km or 5,000 nautical miles from Shanghai, the two cranes passed safely under the Lions Gate Bridge and arrived at GCT Vanterm.
    This advancement is part of GCT’s previously announced $160-million-dollar private sector investment to modernize and densify operations at GCT Vanterm. The arrival of the two cranes demonstrates GCT’s ongoing commitment to enabling smart capacity in the Vancouver gateway and Western Trade Corridor through British Columbia.
    GCT has been an integral part of the Port of Vancouver’s growth for over a century and actively pursues sustainable approaches to our operations. We are proud of our success in decoupling business growth from emissions growth, and this investment is the latest upgrade that increases safety and minimizes operational impacts on the surrounding community. 

    Two Modern Ship-To-Shore Cranes Arrived Safely At Vanterm
    GCT Vanterm’s two newly arrived ship-to-shore cranes will be among the most advanced in North America. Electrically powered, they feature regenerative drives that can provide power back into the grid and high-efficiency LED lighting.  The cranes will reduce glare and light pollution along with features intended to reduce operational noise. The cranes have also been painted cloud-white colour to mitigate daytime skyline visibility.
    The cranes, along with other equipment upgrades and process improvements, will improve safety for the workforce, increase terminal capability, and reduce equipment emissions by 55% – all within the same footprint. 
    “The delivery of these two modern cranes is one of many steps we are taking to increase capability and customer service in the most sustainable way possible to support BC’s climate objectives while creating well-paid jobs,” said Doron Grosman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Global Container Terminals Inc. “Global Container Terminals will continue to make private sector investments to ensure that Vancouver remains the port of choice and continues to be a competitive jurisdiction for transpacific trade.”

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    Feb 8, 2021 - 4 years ago

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