New equipment awaits at CONEXPO 2017

More than 140,000 visitors from around the world and 2,500 exhibitors are expected to participate in the five-day CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 convention, which began on Tuesday at the Las Vegas Convention Center, according to event organisers.

Among the new products on show at CONEXPO, Snorkel has unveiled a new line of six material lifts, along with the first Snorkel telehandler and a new self-propelled telescopic mast lift. In addition, the company showcased a prototype electric drive slab scissor lift.

New offerings include a 16 ft. (4.87 m) version of the TM12E electric drive self-propelled telescopic mast lift launched at The Rental Show 2017.

Snorkel has also unveiled its first telehandler, the Snorkel SR5519, which can lift a load capacity of up to 5,500 lb. (2,494 kg) and can reach heights of up to 19 ft. (5.79 m).

Providing a glimpse of what is still to come from Snorkel, the company is displaying a prototype design of its next generation electric slab scissor lifts at CONEXPO. The Snorkel S3019E is a brand new, ground-up design slab scissor lift that features a low step-in height thanks to the sunken scissor stack that stows inside the chassis. The all-electric lift uses no hydraulic hoses, achieved through electric drive and electric steer.

Xtreme Manufacturing has introduced the Xtreme XR1056, designed to handle tough environments. This new high-pivot telehandler is equipped with a heavy-duty steel frame, chassis and boom, and a compact four-section boom.

Xtreme is also using the show to educate visitors on the benefits of boom rollers that are utilised across the Xtreme telehandler line. Boom rollers provide an alternative to slide pads, eliminating boom chatter and providing a smoother operation for precision handling of loads.

Eight Cat machines are making their public debut at CONEXPO, and a half dozen more machines introduced recently are on display for the first time. The newest Cat machines to be displayed include wheeled excavators (M315F and M317F), wheel loader (950GC), dozer (D6T), articulated truck (745), telehandler (TH514D), a full line of cold planers (PM312, PM825) and B-Series hammers.

JLG is also using the event to introduce a number of new products: the 742 telehandler andH800AJ hybrid boom lift, and has entered a new product category with the launch of its utility vehicles. JLG also showed the 1500AJP, the world's tallest articulating boom lift.

Among the advanced technologies on show is SmartLoad, which includes attachment recognition to ensure the proper load chart is used with the selected attachment; a load management indicator system (LMIS) that visually indicates the current load on the load chart and the weight on the attachment; and a load stability indicator (LSI), which indicates forward stability and balance.

A second new technology, the No Touch Enhanced Detection System (EDS), is an advancement of the existing Soft Touch System. Soft touch uses whisker proximity to stop a machine when it makes contact with an object or structure. No Touch uses advanced infrared technology to sense an object or structure is nearby, first slowing, then stopping the machine before it makes contact.


A static demonstration of a JLG concept boom positioned on uneven terrain is demonstrating the third technology - self-levelling. Machines equipped with a self-levelling chassis can traverse slopes up to 10 degrees with the boom elevated, which means greater uptime and less repositioning. This feature enables easier loading, unloading and transport, as the chassis can be lowered to reduce the total height of the machine.

Trelleborg Wheel Systems has introduced a line of pneumatic tyres to the North American market.

Jean-Paul Mindermann, president of the Trelleborg Wheel Systems industrial and construction tyres operation, says: "The Trelleborg team is pleased to introduce our pneumatic tyre line to the North American market. Known across the globe for quality and reliability, this addition has greatly expanded our position as a provider of premium tyres to the OTR market. We now offer a truly complete range of solid and pneumatic tyres, and rubber tracks."

While the major manufacturers are showing off their new products, the diesel industry is using the show to promote its agenda at the Diesel Technology Forum being staged as part of the trade show.

CONEXPO is showcasing the latest innovations in diesel technology that ensure that the jobsites of the future are not only as efficient and productive as possible, but also will have the lowest environmental footprint, says Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the forum.

"Economic conditions over recent years have delayed the adoption of the newest, most efficient and near-zero emission clean diesel engines that have been available since 2014. Now there is a sense that economic conditions are improving and this industry is ready to unleash some of the most amazing, efficient and powerful machines that a successful national infrastructure plan would require," he adds.