SDLG introduces backhoe loader to African market

Chinese construction machinery manufacturer Shandong Lingong Construction Machinery (SDLG) exhibited its range of SDLG machines at BAUMA CONEXPO AFRICA 2015, including its SDLG B877 backhoe loader, which it introduced onto the African market at the event.

The exhibition took place at the Johannesburg Expo Centre from September 15 to 18.

“With reliability and performance at its core, the versatile B877 is packed with features to provide owners with a fully loaded machine at great value, and with capabilities needed for a variety of projects,” says SDLG business manager for Africa Stefan Bach.

Backhoe loaders appeal to many businesses, particularly smaller companies buying their first equipment, he says, adding that the African market for backhoe loaders is one of the largest outside America and Europe.

Useful for working across multiple job sites, the SDLG B877 backhoe loader has gained in popularity since it was launched in the Middle East at the end of 2014.

The loader is designed for all-day operation and its robust frame and components ensure it can withstand the rigours of demanding job sites.

Meanwhile, the operator cab provides excellent visibility to ensure job site safety. Featuring a suspension seat, standard air conditioning and opening rear windows, the cab is designed to maintain comfort.

The machine’s turbocharged 70 kW engine is low on emissions and high on fuel economy, and provides a torque reserve of 40%.

With its hydraulic torque converter and synchronised four-speed transmission, the B877 can reach speeds of up to 40 km/h.

The backhoe loader is equipped with a special front-steering drive axle, which can be disengaged using a switch, for greater efficiency at high speeds, and a rigid drive axle with closed wet brake and an electronic differential lock for better traction in dangerous conditions.

The machine’s 55° turning radius also ensures excellent manoeuvrability at congested and tight job sites.
A three-pump, four-valve hydraulic loop is designed to ensure that lifting and steer-ing operations can occur seamlessly and simultaneously.

In addition, the machine’s hydraulic elements are centrally arranged for easy maintenance and service, while auxiliary hydraulics can easily be added.

To offer even greater versatility, the B877 can be equipped with a variety of attachments and tools to handle an even more diverse range of tasks, including a multipurpose front bucket as standard.

Presented alongside the B877 at BAUMA CONEXPO AFRICA was the LG6300E SDLG excavator. With a 30 t rating and powerful digging force, the LG6300E is suited to a range of heavy-duty applications and can accommodate up to a 1.9 m3 bucket.

Also on display were SDLG’s LG968, LG958 and LG938 wheel loaders, as well as the G9190 motor grader. Fitted with a standard rear ripper and push block, the 17.6 t G9190 grader is powered by a 148 kW Deutz engine and can deliver traction force of up to 82 kN.

SDLG officially launched into the Southern Africa region in partnership with its South African dealer, Babcock, in 2012.

The Africa division of Babcock International is a leading supplier of engineering support services for the energy, process, mining and construction industries and the exclusive regional distributor for many leading inter-national brands.

Babcock GM for the SDLG brand Grant Sheppard tells Engineering News that in excess of 200 SDLG machines have been sold to date to companies in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique.

Babcock has provided support for SDLG’s machines using the company’s extensive regional infrastructure of branches and dealers and its service capability, with an inventory of parts sufficient to support new and existing SDLG products.

SDLG, whose majority shareholder is Volvo Construction Equipment, provides alternatives to blue chip machines. Sheppard explains that the SDLG range performs similarly to blue chip machines, but provides a value product instead of a premium product.

SDLG products have, therefore, been particularly successful in the rental market, with a rental company receiving the same hourly rate, regardless of whether the machine is a premium or value product, notes Sheppard.

SDLG is not attempting to enter high-produc- tion environments, but is rather targeting less arduous applications such as rehandling and loading.

Sheppard estimates that SDLG has a 10% market share in the particular sections of the earthmoving market in which it operates.

He explains that the goal of SDLG at BAUMA CONEXPO AFRICA was to build the company’s brand and to showcase its strengths.