AI & ML: Revolutionising Business Optimisation

In the realm of advanced technology like deep learning, Wipro Hydraulics explores different methods to help understand data better and make accurate predictions.

Our products have a very promising market in India

Piero Guizzetti, CEO, MB Crusher India, speaks on the key products on display during bauma CONEXPO.

$5.13 Bn Opportunity!

Growing at a CAGR of 9.4 per cent, the Indian backhoe loader market is likely to touch $5.13 billion from $1.77 billion in 2021.

Our Indian products are now equipped with BSIV engines

Customers always need a product that can increase their productivity. With that they also focus on saving cost on fuel and maintenance.

Equipment Pulse

With the construction equipment market is on a growth path, Equipment India explores the market scenario of construction equipment and allied products and services.

"Backhoe loader industry continues to grow"

The backhoe loader industry in the past two years has grown consecutively over 20 per cent year-on-year.

Setting New Standards

Backhoe loaders:Leading the Growth

At present, the construction equipment (CE) sector is mainly dominated by heavy earthmoving equipment. Within this segment, it is the backhoe loaders (BHLs) which constitute more than 65 per cent of heavy earthmoving equipment sales.

Rental segment will drive the demand for backhoe loaders

We are the authorised dealers for Terex Equipment in Mumbai, Thane and Raigad districts of Maharashtra. Terex in India operates in four different verticals: cranes, mining equipment (crushers and screens), earthmoving equipment, and aerial work platforms.

Leyland Deere 435 BHL

The 435 BHL from Leyland Deere is engineered to deliver low maintenance and operating costs and the superior reliability along with a heavy-duty build and a high performance design, all of which are imperatives for the tough operating conditions in India.

Leyland Deere Unveils the 435E BHL

The new 435E backhoe delivers superior value by addressing a customer?s core needs of higher fuel efficiency, superior reliability and durability, greater machine uptime and lower operating cost.Ashok Leyland John Deere Construction Equipment Company, a joint venture between Ashok Leyland and John Deere, unveiled the 435E backhoe loader (BHL) at Excon 2013.

JCB Excavator provides best-in-class productivity and fuel efficiency.

In the excavator segment, JCB offers an unmatched range starting from 8T operating weight (JS81) to 22T operating weight (JS 220LC), to serve the plant hirers, earthmoving and quarrying customer base. At Excon 2013, JCB introduced the JS30 mini excavator and JS360 LC which like all other JCB excavators, offers excellent fuel efficiency, says Vipin Sondhi, Managing Director & CEO, JCB India. Excerpts from the interview.

Leyland Deere unveils the new 435E BHL in the country

Offers best-in-class fuel efficiency and operating cost for first time usersAshok Leyland John Deere Construction Equipment Company Pvt. Ltd., a joint venture between Ashok Leyland and John Deere, unveiled the 435E Backhoe Loader (BHL) at EXCON today.

BHL Continues to Rule the Roost

The world over, construction practices and methodologies determine the selection of the type of equipment, to a great extent. However, in India, backhoe loader (BHL) controls the lion's share of the total equipment sale; it is wheel loaders that dominate the Chinese CE market and crawler and mini excavators that control the European and American markets.

We strive for low levels of emissions and optimum fuel consumption.

We have incorporated the optimum engine working temperatures to minimise emission. These engines are fitted with high pressure rotary type fuel injections, IEGR, turbocharger and heavy-duty silencers to keep the emissions low, says Anil Bhatia, Director Sales and Marketing, Case India. Excerpts from the interview.

We will soon expand our product range for high-end customers.

We expect fuel efficiency will be the prime driving force behind the demand for BHL in the near future, says Sunil Tiku, Senior Director - Sales & Marketing, Terex India. Excerpts from the interview.

JCB constantly keep upgrading the machine to meet the growing requirements.

The JCB backhoe loader continues to be the most widely used equipment in India and we constantly keep upgrading the machine to meet the growing requirements of our customers, says Vipin Sondhi, Managing Director and CEO, JCB India.

Towards specialised equipment

The Indian market is slowly but steadily moving towards the usage of specialised equipment and attachments. This follows the global trend where specialised equipment is utilised for specialised jobs on tighter project execution timelines.

Our focus on the best fuel efficiency and faster machines remains steadfast

We have always believed that high technology will ultimately become the top need for India, and therefore all the machines we manufacture in India or import and sell, adhere to standards by which Kobelco machines are made anywhere in the world,

We have exciting product launches planned for this year

LiuGong excavator provides the highest productivity in its class due to effortless hydraulic con?trols, and spacious cabin. Liugong lays lot of emphasis on operator comfort in order to increase operator?s efficiency,

Doosan has plans to set up a manufacturing facility in India

Doosan is specialised in hydraulics and engines for its heavy line of equipment. Developed with in-house technology, Doosan?s heavy equi?p?ment has always proven to be truly efficient while benefiting the Indian market with current fuel quality,

Low fuel consumption, high productivity and lesser maintenance cost is Hyundai's USP

Hyundai excavators operate on CAPO (Computer Aided Power Optimisation) technology whi?ch offers better matching of hydraulic circuitry with engine torque curve,

We will be introducing more machines locally in the near future

We offer a very comprehensive range of excavators in India from 14 to 85 tonne. These are extremely environment friendly, Tier III machines, with possibly the best fuel average and high production,

We have exciting product launches planned for this year

LiuGong excavator provides the highest productivity in its class due to effortless hydraulic con?trols, and spacious cabin. Liugong lays lot of emphasis on operator comfort in order to increase operator?s efficiency,

JCB gives utmost importance to safety and our tracked excavators are the safest choice

All JCB excavators are fitted with a unique filtration system which increases hydraulic oil and filter life resulting in huge cost savings and better emissions.

The Big Ones Get Better

Sales of crawler excavators, which grew until 2008, declined by 20 per cent in 2009 but recovered strongly to 11,453 units in 2010, a growth of 44 per cent.

We have plans to introduce a new cone crusher this year

We are focusing on predictive maintenance; each of the problems are being analysed by our quality team in Hosur and then preventive action is taken for future products, says Viraj Parthi, Country Manager, Terex Mobile Processing Equipment

On a momentous growth

The government?s commitment to complete 7,300 km of roads in 2012-13 basically translates to a demand for approximately 39 crore tonne of aggregate. And if we calculate using the example of a 200-tph plant which produces approximately 600,000 tonne per annum,

Caterpillar Expands India Presence

Caterpillar expands its India presence with a new backhoe loader manufacturing plant. Caterpillar India launched the company?s new backhoe loader manufacturing facility in Thiruvallur near Chennai.

Caterpillar expands India presence with new manufacturing plant for Backhoe loaders

Caterpillar India launched the company?s new backhoe loader manufacturing facility in Thiruvallur near Chennai. The new facility not only strengthens the company?s growing presence in India but also augments the distribution channel

The upgraded CAT 424B backhoe has set a new benchmark

Despite the market becoming more competitive with many new players entering the indu?stry, TIPL has continued to grow through value selling and with an objective to garner profits for customers, says Arunava Ghosh Dastidar, AVP & Business Head?BCP, TIPL.Backhoe loaders in India started as multipurpose equipment, cutting across various sectors, both in urban as well as rural areas.

M&M brought to India first the telematics in backhoe loaders

The Mahindra EarthMaster back?hoe loader is designed for effi?cacy in today?s competitive sce?nario. The EarthMaster allows the cus?to??mer to do his work with higher productivity because of its third gene?ration hydraulic system which allows operator to operate the boom, dipper and bucket at the same time.

STILL NUMBER ONE!

The sales forecast for backhoes by Off-Highway Research is pegged at a target of 36,000 units by 2015, up from 30,000 in 2011, whereas for the crawler excavator alone, the forecast is 35,000 units, up from the 2011 figure of 14,500.There is the school of thought that points to the visible drift from the backhoe market towards the wheel loaders market.

Centennial Celebrations at Gates India

As Gates Corporation step into a new century of innovations, their centennial year was celebrated by the wholly-owned subsidiary Gates India.

Leyland Deere launches BHL in AP

Leyland Deere, the 50:50 joint venture between Ashok Leyland and the US-based agriculture machinery maker John Deere, has launched the 435 backhoe loader (BHL) in Andhra Pradesh.

Set to Redefine Benchmark

The Leyland Deere JV announced its entry with the launch of its 435 backhoe loader. The joint venture between John Deere and Ashok Leyland has introduced its first product, the 435 backhoe loader,

We are currently working on doubling our production capacity

The current market share scenario is quite skewed in favour of a few existing players and that is likely to change as there would be an intense war over winning the market shares, says Rajesh Sharma, Vice President ? Sales & Marketing, Escorts. 0 - - 16262 14 228 2011-06-01 00:00:00.000 Equipment India We will launch loader with 1.9 cu m standard bucket capacity

?Eimco Elecon was the first to introduce the intermediate technology of side dump loaders (SDLs), load haul dumpers (LHDs) and rocker shovel loaders in India to partially mechanise the underground coal and metalliferrous mines and continues to be the market leaders since then, says S C Sharma, General Manager, Eimco Elecon (India). In an exclusive chat with Equipment India, Sharma elaborates on the trends in the loader market. Excerpts from the interview.

How do you look at the revival of the CE market in general, and the market for bulk material handling equipment?
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) conducted a study on future scenario of Indian Earthmoving and Construction Equipment Industry which says that from 2007 to 2015, this industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 40 per cent, ie, the industry which was of $2.3 billion in 2007 would be $13 billion by 2015.

What is the demand-supply scenario for wheel loaders/front-end loaders in India. What is Eimco Elecon's market share?
In India, loader market below 10T capacity has been captured by backhoes and tractor loader is almost 8,000 units. The current market for above 10T capacity is around 4,000 units. Eimco Elecon has been in the business of mining equipment since more than three decades and is enjoying market leadership. However, in construction equipment segment, the company entered only in 2008 and hence talking about the market share at this stage is too early. Moreover, the market that we are entering, is not just loader market, but the market in which backhoe loaders are being used without backhoe because no articulated loader was available in this segment. This market itself is 20 per cent of backhoe market ie, around 5,000 units. In Indian loader market when there is a talk about loaders below 10T capacity, backhoe loader instantly comes into the mind of customers. This is because they had not seen a loader below 10T capacity which is conventionally designed ie, with articulation, 4WD; all the four wheels are of same size, Z bar linkage, and brakes in all the four wheels. Our AL 120 has all these features. Furthermore, the tractor converted into loader is also being used as a loader which has a market of around 3,000 units.

What are the challenges and hurdles you face while introducing a new product to the market? Can you comment on market acceptability?
The challenges of entering into market were enormous. The initial inertia was very high. Each prospective buyer was to be educated that too in non-technical terms, on technical parameters. We could meet this challenge successfully, although, it took a bit more time for generating market. The building up of dealer network was another challenge but we overcame this important task successfully in a record time. Currently, we have a committed network of 13 dealers, and the process is still on.

The acceptability of AL 120 was not very difficult. When we broke the backhoe syndrome, we started getting repeat orders. Those who used AL 120 experienced a significant difference in using a conventionally design machine. Increasing price of diesel and tough competition in profitability among the contractors favoured our business because high fuel efficient machines with better output do play a major role in current scenario.

Tell us about the range offered by Eimco Elecon in wheel loaders?
Eimco Elecon was the first to introduce the intermediate technology of side dump loaders (SDLs), load haul dumpers (LHDs) and rocker shovel loaders in India to partially mechanise the underground coal and metalliferrous mines and continues to be market leader since then. For the surface material handling as informed earlier, we have AL 120 model which has bucket capacities 1.2 cu m, 1.4 cu m and 1.6 cu m which we offer depending upon the density of material it has to handle. Soon, we will be launching loader with 1.9 cu m standard bucket capacity. The prototype is ready.

Tell us the unique features of surface loader, and the segments where your wheel loaders are being used?
Our AL 120 model articulated loader has been very willingly accepted by customers from stone crushing plants, hot mix plants, ready mix plants, tiles manufacturing units, salt handling application, coal handling and solid waste handling units, because of unique features like: hydrostatic drive which gives high speed, low maintenance and high fuel efficiency (our loader has been giving average 4.5 liter of fuel consumption per hour with almost 1.5 times more loading as compared to backhoe loader).

What is the existing manufacturing capacity for wheel loaders?
The current installed capacity of our plant is 1,000 units per annum which can be doubled, if required, with some modification.

What is the rental scenario for these products?
We wanted to establish the product in different applications after the launch of AL 120 in 2008. But now our oldest machines have crossed over 10,000 hours of operations without any major problems. We foresee a wide scope of business in this segment. This is because the basic price of this loader is much lesser as compared to backhoe loader, despite being four wheels and hydrostatic drive and 50 per cent higher output. The scope of rental business is very high.

How do you look at the competition in this segment, and what differentiates Eimco from competition?
So far, no loader with similar capacity and features is available in the Indian market. The ones those are imported and supplied are very high on price and moreover, the product is not supported like we do. We have 11 branch offices and have so far appointed 13 dealers across the country to support our product. Besides, we have own seven parts depots.

Are these products complying with emission norms Bharat Stage III?
The loaders that would be manufactured in the current fiscal year would be complying to Bharat Stage III emission norms.

?We regularly conduct on-site trainings for all customer operators to enhance their knowledge in operation and maintenance and skill level in different CAT machines, says V Manikannan, AGM (Infrastructure), Gmmco. Excerpts from the interview.

What is the demand-supply scenario for wheel loaders? What is Gmmco's market share in this segment?
In 2010, market for wheel loaders in India is about 2,700 units and is growing at approximately 20 per cent YoY. CAT is the market leader with a market share of 48 per cent. There are a number of indigenous players supplying machines and others are importing equipment also. CAT wheel loaders are made in India and maximum models are imported from facilities located across the globe. As the demand is growing, supply is balanced by ways of capacity additions and import of equipment. Thus, the demand is well catered by suppliers.

What are the major growth enablers for wheel loaders?
The key growth drivers for wheel loader market are material handling at port, road construction, iron ore handling, coal re-handling, quarry, cement and mining.

Tell us about the range offered by Gmmco in wheel loaders and its features?
Gmmco is supplying the complete range of CAT wheel loaders from 3 to 22 T capacity by offering models such as HM 2021; CAT 950H, 962H, 966H, 972H, 980H, 988H; and 992K. CAT wheel loaders are equipped with ACERT engine technology, load sensing hydraulics, MP3C hydraulic control valves and engine idling management. These different features enhance the efficiency and differentiated performance of the machines and delivering more value to the customers.

What is the rental scenario for these products?
We have good number of wheel loaders in our rental fleet to cater the market need; these are mainly deployed in ports and road construction segments.

How do you look at the competition in this segment?
There are global, Chinese and domestic players supplying machines in Indian market. CAT wheel loaders are differentiated with the latest technology, and higher reliability helps customers to 'move more and make more' (ie, higher productivity and lowest cost per tonne) supported with the best-in-class product support from Gmmco.

Are these products complying with emission norms Bharat Stage III?
Yes, all Caterpillar wheel loaders comply with Bharat Stage III norms.

Tell us about Gmmco's strength in training and services?
We provide technical and MAPS training for customer operation and maintenance staff on maintenance and troubleshooting aspects. MAPS training helps customers to understand the application and use, the right machine for right application.
Also, we have our CDI operators trained by CAT experts, who are well trained in operations and maintenance of various CAT machines. We regularly conduct on-site trainings for all customer operators, to enhance their knowledge in operation and maintenance and skill level in different CAT machines. This helps operators for optimum utilisation of various features of the machine. These trainings help customer to get optimum performance, productivity, and lesser down-time and reduce operating cost of the machines.

?We entered into a new tie-up with SEM to establish market leadership in 5T segment of wheel loaders that promises a good opportunity in India. The tie-up enables TIPL to offer better price-value proposition, coupled with best-in-class product support as the key differentiator, says Subir Bhattacharyya, Advisor, TIPL. Excerpts from the interview.

What is the demand-supply scenario for wheel loaders in India? What is TIPL's market share, and growth envisaged?
TIPL with its offering of model Hindustan 2021 is the market leader in the 3T class wheel loader segment for the past several years having a market share of 50 per cent. In 2010-11 the market size for wheel loader in India has been 1,900 units which is estimated to become 2,500 units in 2011-12. In the north and east of India where TIPL operates as Caterpillar dealer, the market size has been 900 units in 2010-11 and the estimated number is expected to be 1100 units in 2011-12.

Tell us about the range offered by TIPL in wheel loaders?
The range offered by TIPL in the wheel loader segment includes 3T class (Hindustan 2021), and a 5T class CAT 950H. In 2009, we entered into a new tie up with SEM to establish market leadership in 5T segment of wheel loader that promises a good opportunity in India. The tie-up enables TIPL to offer better price-value proposition, coupled with best-in-class product support as the key differentiator.

What are the unique features of the range offered by TIPL?
Hindustan 2021, TIPL's product offering is the most trusted market leader in 3T class wheel loader and is famous for its dependability, ease of maintenance, and lower operating cost. In the 5T range, CAT 950H wheel loader is a proven product internationally with a very high user acceptance and having the capability to perform under the most demanding applications. Unmatched operator comfort and efficiency in a world-class cab, revolutionary electronics and hydraulics for low-effort operation, increased productivity with lower owning and operating costs and better fuel efficiency make this machine durable and reliable even in the most difficult applications. The 5T class SEM wheel loader, a robust, versatile, efficient and cost-effective wheel loader is very apt for the Indian market.

Which segment contributes the maximum share for wheel loaders in India?
Segments contributing the major share of wheel loaders in India comprise coal handling and iron ore industry, cement plants, quarry and aggre­gate, road constr­uction, hydro elec­tric project, crusher zone and bulk handling in ports.

What is the rental scenario for these products?
This is basically operated by the large fleet owners. Hence the scope of rental is comparatively lesser here.

How do you look at the competition in this segment?
Any thriving market would be posed with challenges. Though we have a major chunk of 50 per cent market share in the 3T segment, we are not complacent about our position and are well poised to handle competition. The nearest competitor has a market share of 20 per cent, and based on our continuous proactive marketing strategies and superior customer support services, we are confident of retaining our market position.

Are these products complying with emission norms Bharat stage III?
Yes, these products are compliant with emission norms Bharat Stage III.

Telcon is a major player in the Indian BHL market with its two products - TATA 315V and TATA 315E.

The market for backhoe loader (BHL) in India has been growing at a rate of over 35 per cent. This was abruptly reversed during the year of the slowdown 2008-09. The market however turned around smartly and in the past two years, past the slowdown, has shown growth in excess of 40 per cent. It is widely expected that of growth rate of the Indian CE industry for the next five years would be in the range of 17-20 per cent. The growth enablers for this will be the investments in infrastructure ? urban and rural infrastructure, roads, agriculture etc.

A number of foreign players have entered the Indian market with manufacturing facilities and a few new ones are in the process of launching. Telcon is a major player in the Indian BHL market with its two products ? TATA 315V and TATA 315E. While 315V is the undisputable Number 1 in the +80 hp class of BHL, the 315E is widely accepted in the market for being fuel-efficient and cost- effective.

Telcon BHLs are known for their lowest cost of operations because of the high quality of components used. Proven components like the Tata 497TCIC engine and the tough ZF axle and transmission make our products the choice of customers. Features like the Synchro-shift transmission offer a clutch-less operation ensuring a smoother movement, higher site productivity, comfortable drive and lesser loads on the machine components.

The hiring retail segment is the biggest contributor for the backhoes and this is driven by the increased focus on real estate, urban works and roads.

BHLs are essentially utility machines and the rental rates vary based on the usage and the geography. In general, the average rental rates would be about Rs 650-750 per hour.

The returns vary for customers depending on usage and area of operation but a typical customer would ensure his returns by a period of 36 months. By this time, the customer also plans to dispose off his machine.

BHL is a versatile machine because of which it is the largest selling construction equipment in India today. Telcon offers a wide range of attachments for both the backhoe and the loader portions. Some of the attachments for the backhoe portion are GP bucket, HD bucket, trench bucket, ditch bucket, square hole bucket, ripper attachment, rock-breaker. The attachments on the loader side are 6-in-1 bucket, tilt dump bucket, forklift and jib crane.

Both the Telcon products 315V and 315E comply with BS3 norms and have already been approved by ARAI, Pune. Telcon also offers the most practical and acceptable BS3 compliant engine ( TATA 497TC IC ) in the BHL market segment today. Currently there is no mandate for the conversion of earlier BS2 engines in the market to BS3 compliant.

All major players of the world are today in the Indian market vying for a market share. Telcon is known and appreciated by the customers for its reliable and cost-effective products and also wide-spread service through both dealer - Telcon support backed by up economic costing spare parts.

Telcon is a one-stop offering constructive solutions for all the customer needs. The products on offer from Telcon range from excavators ( 2T to 120 T ), backhoe loaders (76 hp and 86 hp), wheel loaders, soil compactor (11T), motor grader (140 hp, 12 ft moldboard), cranes (from 25T to 650T), and transit mixer (6 cu m).

In order to capitalise on the burgeoning growth for construction equipment in India, CNH Global is consolidating its presence in the country. With a wholly owned company, CNH has already geared up to make its mark in the booming Indian market. CNH Global NV, a global agricultural and construction equipment major, has acquired full ownership of L&T?CASE Equipment, an unconsolidated joint venture (JV) established in 1999 with Larsen & Toubro to manufacture and sell construction and road building equipment in India.

The new, wholly owned company will be called Case New Holland Construction Equipment (India) Private Limited. The global major is expected to leverage its wide ranging experience and leadership in the field of construction equipment manufacturing to make its mark on the booming Indian market.

Elaborating on the company's long term goals, Harold Boyanovsky, President and CEO, CNH Global NV, said, This is an important step in our long term commitment to consolidate our construction equipment business in India and other export markets and to develop a manufacturing base in India fully integrated in the CNH worldwide industrial footprint. The Pithampur plant will be in a position to make the most of the opportunities for growth that the sector offers today and in future." The company is among the several global leaders who have either already invested in setting up manufacturing units in India or in the process of doing so, in order to capitalise on the burgeoning growth for construction equipment in the country.

CNH Global is a global leader in agricultural and construction equipment. A majority owned subsidiary of Fiat Group, CNH manufactures its products in around 40 facilities that are spread globally and distributes its products in about 170 countries. The company is known for its strong R&D focus and is considered a frontrunner when it comes to use of latest technology and product innovations. With its stringent commitment to quality, the company has rapidly expanded its footprint globally and is today an acknowledged world-leader in the construction equipment domain.

With the latest investment in India, the company is confirming its commitment to a string manufacturing base for its construction equipment business at the Pithampur plant, located in Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, the company also plans to continue investing in its CASE construction equipment product offering and strengthen the sales network to meet the needs of construction businesses in the important local and export markets.

The Pithampur facility currently manufactures backhoe loaders and vibratory compactors. Backhoe loaders and vibratory compactors that have been produced in the plant have already made their mark around the country. The new initiative is expected to further boost the sales of these products.

The sprawling factory complex is spread over 40 acre and occupies over 28,000 sq m of covered area. The plant, with now being integrated with CNH manufacturing network, is expected to further improve its facility with the introduction of world-class manufacturing methodologies that would bring it in line with the globally renowned CNH Production System and quality standards.

The manufacturing plant is already equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including high precision laser and cutting machine, welding robots, CNC machine tools, a new automated powder coating system, and a variable speed assembly line.

CASE India sells and supports its loader backhoes and vibratory compactors through 56 strong dealers who in turn have 144 outlets which are spread out all over India. CASE India's central warehouse is at Indore which supports the spare parts operation. Order placement and execution is done online through ERP software package and network connectivity, which has been provided to all offices and dealers. CASE India also conducts regular training programmes for their customers both in their training centre and also at customer places for maintenance people/operators which enable customers to get the maximum potential from the machines. CASE India is providing excellent service support to all its customers. Factory trained service engineers are located in all major cities of India who responds faster and helps the customers to resolve the issues at the earliest.