Next month (25-27 June) Tarmac’s Hillhead Quarry, near Buxton, Derbyshire, will once again host the world’s largest and one of the most iconic quarrying, construction, and recycling exhibitions in the events calendar
Building on the momentum of the record-breaking 2022 show, Hillhead 2024 is set to have more exhibitors and live demonstrations than ever before with all the leading OEMs signed up for the biennial quarrying industry extravaganza. With around 600 UK and international companies showcasing new products and service solutions at the show, here is a brief glimpse of some of the latest plant and machinery, technological innovations, and services to watch out for at this leading event for the industry.
In the world of heavy machinery, A-Trax continue to stand out through innovation and reliability. Visitors to the A-Trax stand will find out how the company’s products excel in the most challenging terrains and demanding work environments. A-Trax robust crawler undercarriages have been engineered to resist wear and tear, reduce downtime and lower maintenance costs for operators. Whether navigating rocky landscapes or traversing muddy terrain, these tracks provide steadfast support, enhancing the productivity of machinery.
Arbra Instruments, UK manufacturers of blasting equipment for the mining and quarrying industries, will be using this year’s Hillhead show to showcase their new Mk 40 exploder – a powerful, lightweight, and rechargeable unit for firing electric detonators. The device features a strong, waterproof case with carrying handle and is supplied with a wall charger and charging cable. Renowned for their branded ‘Beethoven’ range of exploders, Arbra will also be showing a new line of unique portable lighting systems that has been added to the company’s ever-expanding range of products.
Hillhead exhibitor and sponsors ATG Global Sourcing Specialists provide innovative procurement solutions for a wide variety of customers with manufacturing facilities across the world. From strategic sourcing and supplier management to logistics and quality assurance, the company has an extensive network of suppliers and industry expertise and can offer end-to-end solutions to meet the unique needs of each customer.
ATG Conveyor Components are leading manufacturers of high-quality conveyor parts for efficiency and productivity in material-handling operations. Key products in the OEM’s portfolio include rollers, transoms, pulleys, and idlers, which have all been designed and manufactured to ensure optimal functionality and longevity, reducing downtime and maintenance costs for customers. With a customer-centric approach, ATG Conveyor also collaborate closely with clients and partners to tailor solutions to specific needs.
Taking technology and product innovation to the next level, Brokk will be presenting their ground-breaking new range of SmartPower+ robots, which have been expertly engineered with rugged components and offer significant improvements in durability, operating experience, and machinery uptime. Among the company’s latest generation of industry-leading demolition robots are the Brokk 170 and Brokk 200+ models, which will be on display at Hillhead. ‘We are thrilled to introduce Brokk SmartPower+ and a new generation of demolition robots that redefine the demolition landscape,’ said Martin Krupicka, CEO of Brokk Group. ‘This innovative advancement reflects Brokk’s dedication to pushing the limits and providing operators cutting-edge machines that surpass expectations.’
Caltta, a global leader in the design and deployment of advanced communication solutions, recently announced the launch of their latest innovation, the Single Frequency Repeater (SFR), which will be unveiled to visitors at Hillhead 2024. Supported by the Caltta PH690 hand-portable and PM790 vehicle two-way radios, the Caltta SFR represents a significant leap forward in enhancing the coverage range and communication quality of radio networks across a wide range of industries. ‘With the introduction of the Caltta SFR, we are setting a new standard for communication in critical sectors,’ said Andrew Hyde, sales director at Caltta. ‘Our goal has always been to develop technologies that not only meet the current demands of our clients, but also anticipate their future needs. This launch is a significant milestone in our journey towards creating a more connected and secure world.’
Visitors to the CASE stand will be able to see a wide spread of earthmoving equipment on show – both on static display and in operation in the exhibition’s waste and recycling area, the secondary rock handling area, and in Crusher Alley, where blasted rock will be processed. A key focus on the company’s stand will be the new CX210E-S tracked excavator. This ‘Essential’ excavator retains all the power and performance of the standard CX210E yet boasts an increasingly competitive price point and a simplified list of options. Also on show will be a selection of wheel loaders, from the largest models to the latest compact loaders, including the battery-powered 12E V, the first CASE fully electric compact shovel. Meanwhile, showgoers looking for a premium mid-sized wheel loader will be drawn to the all-new 651G Evolution, which has been designed to sit between the proven 621G and the 721G models. Delivering class-leading levels of productivity and fuel economy, the 651G boasts increased loading performance, thanks to reinforced front and rear chassis sections, plus heavy-duty axles as standard with a choice of locking differentials.
Regular Hillhead exhibitors CDE will, as usual, be showcasing their latest sand washing solutions and recycling technologies, as well as highlighting the sustainability benefits of the equipment. The biggest draw to the CDE stand, however, will be worldwide premiere of the company’s most efficient water-management solution to date, which it says promises greater functionality, improved maintenance access/safety, speed, automation, and material versatility to offer the best value per tonne. On display will be the AggMax 252SR scrubbing and classification system, which combines pre-screening, scrubbing, organics removal, sizing/stockpiling, fines recovery, and filtrates removal on a compact chassis. Also on show will be the latest generation of FreeFlow, a fully mobile washing solution for aggregate and sand classification. Designed and built on the bed of a semi-trailer for optimal mobility, the plant helps achieve maximum in-situ material recovery and boasts integrated water storage and recycling.
Recognizing Hillhead’s standing as the world’s leading trade fair for the quarrying industry, Develon (formerly Doosan Construction Equipment) will be using the occasion to showcase their extensive product range and latest equipment innovations for the aggregates, construction, and waste-recycling sectors. New machines making their UK debut and being shown for the first time at the show will be the new 22.5-tonne DX140RDM-7 demolition excavator and new DD130-7 dozer. Lined up on static display on the Develon stand will be a host of other machines, including the 53-tonne DX530LC-7 crawler excavator, the DL420-7 wheel loader, and the DA45-7 articulated dumptruck (ADT). In the demonstration area, Develon have confirmed a number of products will be put through their paces at the quarry face, including the 43.5-tonne DX420LC-7 crawler excavator, the DL550-7 wheel loader, and the DA30-7 ADT. The stand display will be completed by Develon’s DX235LCR-7 crawler excavator, alongside the DX27Z-7 and DX55R-7 mini-excavators and DL85-7 compact wheel loader.
Doppelmayr Transport Technology will be showing a selection of innovative material transport systems from their extensive product portfolio that continues to set new standards in safety, comfort, and efficiency in ropeway engineering. Taking centre stage on the company’s stand will be the unique RopeCon system, which combines proven ropeway engineering with conventional conveying technology. At Aggregate Industries’ Bardon Hill Quarry, in Leicestershire, for example, the Doppelmayr RopeCon solution is being used to transport overburden for emplacement within the existing quarry at rates of up to 1,000 tonnes/h. This is the first such installation in the UK and has successfully provided a cost-effective, productive, and eco-friendly solution for quarry restoration work at Bardon Hill.
Specialist plant machinery attachments manufacturers Hill Engineering will be using this year’s Hillhead as the UK launch pad for their brand-new 20-tonne Tefra Connect coupler and Tefra Connect display unit. The Tefra Connect is a new super-quick coupler that can connect any hydraulic work tool safely and automatically from the operator’s seat, while retaining the ability to also use standard attachments when required. The Tefra Connect display unit is designed to provide the operator with visual indication of the status of the Tefra Connect coupler. Also on show will be the company’s Tefra quick-hitch for a JCB 3CX, a 20-tonne Tefra Tilt coupler, a 35-tonne Tefra unit, and a 13-tonne bucket and thumb combination.
Husqvarna Construction will be introducing the new DXR 95, their lightest and most compact demolition robot ever, at Hillhead 2024. The launch adds a fifth model to the company’s diverse range of high-quality demolition robots, giving its customers a huge productivity boost in confined spaces. The DXR 95 offers excellent power-to-weight ratio, thanks to a high-efficiency powertrain delivering 9.8kW of power and 250 bar of pressure to the end-of-arm tool. Operating the DXR 95 is intuitive, flexible, and straightforward with one of the industry’s most user-friendly remote controls. ‘With its superb power-to-weight ratio and small footprint, the DXR 95 answers the demand for a demolition robot that can fit into cramped or fragile environments – and truly deliver the power and performance that professionals need,’ said Daniel Lundberg, global product manager at Husqvarna Construction.
At Hillhead 2024, Lekatech will be taking the opportunity to introduce their Electric Hammer, which has been specially engineered to revolutionize the impact hammer market. Electrically powered with low emissions and operating costs, the Lekatech Electric Hammer is the ideal choice when working in zero- or low-emission areas and provides a power-to-weight ratio superior to similar traditionally powered hammers. Light in weight and delivering high power but with low vibrations, it is built for operator comfort, economy, and high productivity.
Martin Engineering will be promoting the latest products from their innovative range of CleanScrape conveyor belt cleaners. Featuring unique patented technology, CleanScrape primary (CS1) and secondary (CS2) cleaners are said to be unlike any other belt cleaner on the market, thanks to a revolutionary design that uses a matrix of tungsten carbide wear tips. The company’s range of CleanScrape belt cleaners have become established as one of the most durable conveyor belt cleaning systems available, with the latest products delivering superior cleaning, whole-life cost reductions, and up to four times the service life of conventional blades, with less than half the maintenance.
MB Crusher, specialists in innovative crushing and screening solutions, will be showcasing a diverse range of products from their compact and heavy lines, including two game-changing attachments – the padding bucket and the sorting grapple. On demonstration at Hillhead 2024, the company’s padding bucket is said to redefine handling materials on site, thanks to its versatility and high levels of efficiency and productivity. The robustly built sorting grapple – again on demonstration – allows operators to pick, sort, and place materials with ease, precision and reliability.
Exhibiting at Hillhead for the first time, McHale Plant Sales will be showcasing a whole host of mobile equipment solutions for use in construction, aggregates, and waste-recycling applications. Last year Metso and McHale signed a distribution agreement covering the former’s aggregate crushing and screening equipment, spare parts, and aftermarket services in the UK. The two companies have successfully partnered in Ireland since 2015 and across the three show days McHale will be keen to promote the efficiency savings and sustainability benefits that Metso products can bring to end-users and customers.
Quarry Manufacturing & Supplies (QMS), a leading manufacturer of crushers, screens, and related equipment for the minerals extractive industries, will be showcasing a selection of screening equipment, cone, jaw and impact crushers, and aftermarket crusher wear parts and consumables. The company will also be highlighting its ongoing investment in manufacturing facilities, technologies, processes, and supplier partnerships. Operating from an extensive purpose-built facility, as well as other UK locations, QMS have established a robust and efficient network for supporting customers across the globe.
Rapid International and their sister company Rapid Power Generation will be co-exhibiting at this year’s Hillhead show and offering attendees a glimpse into the latest advancements and solutions for the concrete, construction, and power sectors. Rapid International will be showing the enhanced Trakmix 250 track-mounted mobile continuous mixing plant – a ground-breaking plant that revolutionizes on-site material production with its unmatched efficiency, flexibility, and reliability for every mixing application. The company will also be announcing the rollout of new products in both their continuous mixing and their concrete batching ranges over the next 12 months. Rapid Power Generation’s exhibit will feature a 160kVA Stage 5 Deutz genset equipped with a Mecc Alte alternator and Deep-Sea Electronics controller.
SBM Mineral Processing, the Austrian specialists in track-mounted hybrid electrified crushing plants, will be exhibiting no less than three machines at Hillhead 2024. Taking pride of place on the SBM stand will be the company’s flagship REMAX 600 impact crusher. With an operating weight of around 80 tonnes, the 1400-class crusher (inlet opening: 1,380mm x 1,000mm) produces a maximum 600 tonnes/h, defining a completely new performance segment in mobile crushing. Powered by a Cummins Stage-V diesel engine and a 520kVA generator or, as an option, fully electric from the mains, the REMAX 600 features a double-deck circular vibratory screen, as well as three optional secondary circular vibratory product screens (one-, two-, and three-deck), all of which can facilitate the recirculation of oversized material. Other SBM machines on display and demonstration will include: the JAWMAX 450 jaw crusher – a universal, highly mobile 450 tonnes/h solution for raw materials and recycling; and the REMAX 450, which comes equipped with an 8m3-capacity feed hopper, a 300kVA diesel/generator unit, and electric crusher motor (160kW.)
Exhibiting at Hillhead for the first time, SRL Traffic Systems – Europe’s largest manufacturer and supplier of mobile intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions to the traffic-management and construction industries – will be presenting a portfolio of products designed to improve safety in quarries. Key exhibits on display will include the company’s patented, award-winning Haul Route Plus automated barrier control system, which facilitates the safety of drivers at plant crossing points whilst promoting the efficient flow of traffic. This year SRL incorporated the RiseMaster HE fully autonomous solar-powered automatic boom barrier (patent pending) into Haul Route PLUS to allow managers of longer-term projects to benefit from the solution. All SRL products feature a robust design to guard against accidental damage and have been created to perform reliably even in harsh weather conditions.
Another first-time Hillhead exhibitor, Tele Radio, one of the market leaders in the design and manufacture of radio remote-control systems, will be showcasing a range of solutions, from simple push-button controls to complex, customizable, proportional hydraulics and camera feedback systems. Among the products on display will be the new SupraTEQ TW78 waist transmitter, which has been specially developed for demanding environments where screen size and clearer images are important for showing detailed feedback information. Also on show will be Tele Radio’s Tiger radio remote-control system, which offers maximum safety for complex industrial applications. Independently certified to SIL3 and PLe ratings, Tiger is capable of providing feedback from a machine, displayed on the transmitter’s LCD screen or, alternatively, utilizing LEDs situated next to the transmitter’s function buttons.
Ulrich Attachments, bespoke attachments specialists for mobile plant machinery, will be showing their ISO hydraulic quick-couplers, specialist XL pallet forks, and general-purpose and refuse-clamp buckets, which feature a heavy-duty clamp assembly specially designed to withstand the rigours of waste-transfer duties. The Aylesbury-based company has been at the forefront of the design and manufacture of High Tip high-discharge buckets for loading waste and light materials into high-sided walking-floor trucks and hoppers, and taking centre stage on the Ulrich stand will be a 11m3 wood waste High Tip unit on a wheel loader.
At Hillhead 2024, Verder Liquids, a leading provider of innovative pumping solutions, are set to showcase their award-winning pumps, which have been engineered for optimal performance, uncompromising durability, and enhanced operation in tough applications. Among the key products on show will be the OEM’s Verderflex Ds500 dosing and metering pump, the Verderflex iDURA peristaltic hose pump, and the Verderbar CM range, with piston diaphragm pumps from ABEL. Verder pumps are designed for various duties, including handling a wide range of abrasive and aggressive fluids. They are ideal for applications in the aggregate, mining, quarrying, and water-treatment industries.
Webtec, global specialist manufacturers of hydraulic measurement and control products, will be introducing the third generation of their class-leading DHT (digital hydraulic tester), which has been designed to assist hydraulic technicians with reactive, proactive, and preventive maintenance. Measuring flow, pressure, and temperature, the DHT has a built-in loading valve to simulate load and features a number of key improvements to enhance both its robustness and ease of use when checking the performance of hydraulic pumps, motors, valves, and hydrostatic transmissions. The latest DHT unit has enhanced display functionality (three times larger than the previous-generation model) and now boasts a protection rating of IP65 to meet the growing demand from customers operating in extremely dusty and wet environments.
The Wirtgen Group will be officially launching a number of new products for the UK market on their ‘Smarter. Safer. More Sustainable’ themed stand at Hillhead 2024, including the world’s first burner that can be fuelled exclusively with green hydrogen. On the road to making the future of road construction more sustainable, the greatest leverage potential lies in the field of asphalt production and Benninghoven will not only present a ground-breaking solution for the highways and road-surfacing markets, but also showcase further technologies for sustainable asphalt production. Other machines celebrating their premieres at the biggest working quarry show will be the brand-new Kleemann Mobirex MR 100(i) NEO/NEOe mobile impact crusher and two new Vögele road pavers – the MINI 500 and SUPER 1900-5(i). As well as the product premieres, Hillhead showgoers will also be able to take a closer look and discover more about the digital solutions from the Wirtgen Group. Paul Holmes, managing director of the UK Wirtgen Group subsidiary, Wirtgen Ltd, explained: ‘Digital assistance systems, telematics solutions, and the automation of processes will contribute to an increase in efficiency and cost-effectiveness throughout the road construction process chain and, simultaneously, further reduce CO2 emissions. The Wirtgen Group have a roadmap for this and will play a decisive role in the advancement of the digital transformation as a driver of innovation in the road construction industry.’