Diversity is the name of the game in the Plantworx Pavilion

Plantworx 2015 will provide visitors with an incredibly diverse range of equipment, technology and services, and nowhere is that more evident than in the Plantworx Pavilion. The popular Pavilion sold out early in March and once again promises the most varied line-up of exhibitors yet seen at a Plantworx exhibition. These are just some of the highlights on offer.
Components & Attachments
While the external demonstration areas at Plantworx provide a chance for visitors to see the latest equipment at work, the Pavilion allows both end users and manufacturers to get under the skin of that machinery. Component suppliers provide an essential role in the back-up and service of existing equipment, while their continual evolution and innovation offers equipment manufacturers a chance to improve and advance the design of their machinery.
Companies like Flowfit, Gates, Losi and M&R Hydraulics offer both replacement hydraulic components and a service back-up facility. Losi will have a range of its M+S hydraulic motors on show, delivering a high torque drive solution for such compact motors. The motors are intended for wheel and conveyor drives and can be had with a wide range of pressures and flows.

As well as hydraulic component supply, there will be equipment capable of testing and maintaining hydraulic systems. Hydraulic measurement and control specialist Webtec will show a new range of testers, control valves and positive displacement flow meters.
The DHM series of portable hydraulic testers will allow service engineers to create and send a certified certificate of up to 12 logs of pressure, flow and temperature directly from their mobile in the field. Being able to provide validation from the job site will save time on administration, cut time on site and increase the level of service available.

On-site hose replacement specialist Pirtec will be demonstrating its hose cleaning service, that can overcome the problem of in-line contamination. The firm will also show its Pirtek Xflex hose range, developed to withstand the harshest operations conditions on site.

If you need to clean more than the hoses in a hydraulic system, Environmental technologies has the answer with its Cardev 4S-E mobile filtration system. The 4S-E is said to remove particles and water contamination from oil, extending service life and reducing the risk of breakdowns.

UK fire suppression expert Nobel Fire Systems will exhibit its Stat-X range of automatic condensed aerosol fire suppression systems in the Pavilion. Designed to protect vehicles, mobile equipment and electrical components from fire, Stat-X uses eco-friendly and non-toxic generators. The system can be thermally, manually or electrically activated and provides economic fire suppression for the construction equipment industry.
Right Lines will show the recently announced Lazer range of diamond core drill bits and blades. Available in 22-162mm diameters, primarily for the plumbing market, the Lazer core bits are said to be suitable for concrete cutting where reinforcing bar is present.

Diatech will also have a range of professional, premium and standard grade diamond blades on offer, designed to meet the needs of customers in a variety of industry sectors.

Italian manufacturer Ghedini will be at Plantworx for the first time this year. The firm will show a range of attachments, including augers, bush cutters, submersible pumps, compactor plates and weed cutting buckets. The attachments are available to suit mini excavators, skid steer loaders and backhoe loaders.
As well as machine-mounted attachments, there will be plenty of hand-held technology on offer at the show, from the likes of C.Scope, Leica and Scanprobe.

C.Scope in particular will show a range of cable avoidance tools and signal generators. Recent advances include multi-frequency signal detection, data logging, in-built GPS and a fully automatic self-diagnostic function. The firm’s XL2 range now requires no annual service or calibration work, only needing to be returned to a service centre if it is damaged.
Compact Machinery

While there might be plenty of larger site dumpers on the external working plots, Nu-Star Material Handling has chosen to show its MUV electric wheelbarrow in the Pavilion. With a tipping load of up to 350kg, the MUV has a push-button electric dump function as well as electric drive.
The machine comes with a choice of 800W and 1,200W elecric drive motors and is virtually silent, as well as being zero emissions. The company claims that there are no handlebar vibrations either.
Powered by two 12V batteries, the MUV has an on-board charger for 110V or 220V connection. Maximum speeds are 4.6km/h for the 800W model and up to 6km/h for the 1,200W version. A tortoise mode switch cuts maximum speed by 50% for easy positioning.
Telematics & Electronics

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) will be demonstrating how its machine-readable Smart PAL card can be used to prevent unauthorised use of access equipment. The Smart PAL card has an embedded data chip with information concerning the holder. Card readers can be installed on machines and set to only allow correctly trained operators to use the platforms.

Electronics are playing an increasingly important role in the equipment business, with tracking and telematic systems from the likes of TrakM8, Enigma, Plant-i and Trackunit fast becoming the norm for larger rental and contracting companies. One of the latest additions to this growing sector comes from Trackunit, with the launch of the Trackunit DualID.
DualID is designed with two separate units, a visible identification device, that accepts either a PIN code or a personal ID card such as the Smart PAL card, plus a hidden tracking unit. By controlling both machine access and by tracking operating performance, the DualID system can improve site and operator safety, while delivering a theft prevention and recovery component.
Enigma Telematics will launch Skyline Mobile Performance Guru (MPG) at the show. Skyline MPG allows the fleet manager to see the same on-board machine data as the operator or driver, including engine temperature, revs, fuel consumption and journey distance for on-road vehicles. The system is said to use contactless, non-invasive technology to extract CANbus data.
ATE is announcing the Towman tracking system, that keeps managers in touch with towed equipment. Towman delivers tracking data via a cloud-based system with live reports on equipment location, mileage and running time.

The AMI Nexis Fuel Pro takes a different approach to tracking, monitoring fuel use and alerting the customer to any fuel theft. The unit can be installed on both powered and non-powered assets, monitoring fuel levels in the tank and reporting any sudden heavy fuel drainage or loss through the AMI Nexis software platform, that provides GPS location and time and date data. The company says that the system can pay for itself within 2-3 months, thanks to fuel savings.
Of course in the event that plant is stolen, rental companies and contractors will be looking to their insurance companies for replacement equipment. TL Dallas will be offering a new plant insurance product at Plantworx, with discounted rates for those customers with proven security measures in place. The company is including a free security health check for any visitor to the show.

Plant and tool hire fleet management systems are also a popular draw at Plantworx, with the likes of Higher Concept, MCS and inspHire regular exhibitors at the show. Higher Concept’s Syrinx Hire Management system is now available with a driver app that will be demonstrated on the stand.

Designed for Android mobile and tablet devices, the driver app allows jobs to be sent directly from the Syrinx system in the office to the driver’s device in the cab. On completion of the job, the details are automatically uploaded and saved in Syrinx, allowing office staff to check the status of the job in real-time.
There is no longer a requirement for printed delivery and collection notes and the system frees up more time for the driver, adding to productivity. Office staff can also spend less time on paperwork and more time dealing with customers.
Rental software firm inspHire has also updated its system, adding workshop functionality within the inspHire mobile app. This allows the customer to add parts, capture fitter signatures, record job completion times, add labour costs and notes to workshop reports directly from a portable Android device. Regular safety examinations can be completed and logged using a phone or tablet with signatures and GPS location data to assist with legal obligations.
Education & Training
An exhibition such as Plantworx not only provides today’s workforce with an opportunity to see the latest machinery in action, but also allows youngsters to investigate potential careers within the construction machinery business. The Construction Equipment Association (CEA) will of course be promoting careers in plant operation and maintenance. There will also be a host of educational providers offering careers advice, including Wiltshire College and Myerscough College.
For those already committed to a career in the plant business, there are also plenty of training and registration opportunities, with Emerson Training Services, materials handling and access specialist Mentor Training and NPORS (National Plant Operators Registration Scheme) on hand to talk to new entrants to the industry.

Mentor in particular will introduce its first IOSH accredited safety management course, for those overseeing forklift operations.
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) will be at Plantworx this year too, to demonstrate and discuss with visitors HGV fleet compliance and mechanical handling equipment inspections and audits.

Publishing & Exhibitions

Of course not everyone can make it to this year’s show and it will fall to the industry’s press to report the latest machinery and technology on offer. Regular monthly titles such as Earthmovers and Construction Plant News will be present, with staff keen to meet readers, along with publisher KHL, which delivers a range of titles from International Construction to International Rental News.
There will also be more specialist titles, such as used equipment regulars Plant World and Market Book, plus general construction magazines and websites such as the Construction Index. All will be exhibiting their latest issues, with readership and subscription deals often available at the show.
Plantworx will also provide an opportunity for other international equipment shows to promote their events, with both Hillhead 2016 and the organisers of the Bauma exhibitions in Munich and around the world among the stands.