When it comes to hydraulic attachment technology, there seems to be nobody better than the Swedes. Our Scandinavian cousins are always at the forefront with innovative ideas and products. The company behind Oil Quick, Soneruds Maskin AB have been in existence since 1952. The company recognised the demand for a total quick coupler solution for excavators and wheeled loaders as early as 1989, enabling operators to change work tools quickly and safely without leaving the cab.

This idea was then taken to another level with the development of a system to enable hydraulic work tools to be connected automatically from the cab, once again meaning the operator has no need to get out too push home conventional pipe based hydraulic coupling’s. It was 1993 before the first product was officially launched into the market place, attached below a Rototilt attachment, but the rest as they say is history.

Soneruds Maskin AB changed their name to Oil Quick AB in 2002 having celebrated their 50^th anniversary. Today the company has a complete range of patented Oil Quick coupler systems which are suitable for excavators, wheeled loaders and forklift trucks.

For me one of the most striking exhibits on the Wacker Neuson stand, was the 28Z3 mini excavator, which features the company’s vertical digging system (VDS). These unique machines are specifically designed to work safely and efficiently on gradients up to 15⁰ and according to the company, can offer productivity savings of up to 25%. 

The system also offers up to 20% more stability when sat on a 15⁰ gradient, which can be very important, especially when slewing the upper body of the excavator. This also makes it a more comfortable experience for the operator who can still sit in his normal operating position without having to brace himself in the seat when slewing the machine downhill or uphill. The VDS option is available on 7 models from the Wacker Neuson range from 1.7t to 5t. 

Dumpers were also featured on the Wacker Neuson stand, with examples from the company’s recently announced 5 model tracked dumper range on display.

I had tried in vain to get some “stick time” on the latest Dash 9 Hyundai machine’s since I saw them at the launch in Germany back in 2010. However, thanks to Bristol based Hyundai dealership, the Molson Group and MJL Contractors Ltd, who were evaluating the machine with a view to a future purchase, I recently got to spend a day in the R140-9 demonstrator model on a site in Looe, Cornwall.  

The machine arrived and I was immediately thrown in at the deep end as the low loader driver asked me to take the machine off for him. The low loader was facing downhill on a camber and it was raining so I figured it could be an interesting dismount. I was pleasantly surprised, and indeed somewhat relieved, with the smoothness and controllability of the tracking controls, and with minimal slippage on the wet bed of the trailer, I was soon on terra-firma.

I then familiarized myself with the cab and quickly found out that this was going to be a very pleasant place to spend a shift in. The major focal point in the cab is the dashboard cluster which is described as the nerve centre of the machine, complete with its multi-function 13cm (5 inch) colour screen and toggle switch.

In a ground-breaking move some of JCB’s excavators are now being powered by the company’s record-breaking 4 cylinder Dieselmax engines for the first time ever. These engines are said to deliver a staggering 24% improvement in fuel efficiency. The 19 tracked machines and four wheeled models which range from 11 to 46 tonnes also get a brand new cab and all new restyling, including a stunning looking all black counterweight.

The JCB engines will be fitted specifically into the following models: 11 tonne JS115, 13 tonne JS130, 15 tonne JS145, 16 tonne JS160, and the 18 tonne JS180. In addition, the wheeled variants JS145W and JS160W will also be fitted with the 4.4 litre Dieselmax engine, which is replacing the previous Isuzu units.

Sadly the Digger Blog didn’t make it out to the launch on this occasion but I have come across this video which shows models from the new range being displayed in some rather unseasonal weather in Spain. 

This incident happened some time ago on a Greenfield site adjacent to the M4 near Bath. The Hitachi 350 which is owned by M.J. Church plant hire, became bogged in the soft ground and needed the assistance of the company’s New Holland 215 to extract him from the quagmire.

The machine was soon recovered with a little help from the New Holland machine, no damage was reported and only slight embarrassment for the operator whom we believe was called Roger.

Don’t forget if you have any photos of a similar nature we want to see them here on the Digger Blog.