Collaborative work between Costain, the smart infrastructure solutions company, and Wacker Neuson, leading manufacturer of light and compact equipment, has resulted in the development of a game changing design of forward tipping dumpers which allows greater productivity, efficiency and improved visibility and protection for the driver.
Costain has been researching and trialling a range of innovative solutions to eliminate safety, health and environmental risks as well boost productivity whilst Wacker Neuson set out to create an vehicle that is diverse and safer. The ‘Dual View Forward Tipping Dumper’ was launched in late 2018 and Costain is currently working with contract teams to roll out new guidance on selecting more efficient dumpers across the business.
The benefits of this game changing development are significant in improving safety and visibility. They include:
• Higher productivity
The Dual View Dumper reduces the need for access and egress during loading as well as the need for manoeuvring. The innovative design also enables the use of larger dumper sizes, exceeding the current 6 tonne limit. Using the dual dumper and having access to larger sizes fewer dumpers could be hired permitting potential cost savings. The possible use of heaped skips in managed risk assessed circumstances compared to the usual level skip policy also contributes to increased productivity.
• Improved visibility
The Dual View Dumper exceeds current ISO 5006 2017 standards for visibility due to an extensive increase in visibility over the front of the vehicle, mirrors and an installed camera and the removed need to drive with the skip in front of the equipment.
• Increased fuel efficiency
The efficient hydrostatic all-wheel drive with the automatic ECO mode and the removal of having to shunt round to change direction reduces fuel consumption and ultimately improves productivity. The dumpers have a Deutz water cooled Stage IIIb 55 kW engine; the imminent launch of stage V engines will provide a particulate matter (PM) reduction of 75% on previous engines
• Operatives health and wellbeing
The driver is protected from the elements and dust, the operator is able to remain in the cab whilst the dumper is being loaded, eliminating the potential for slips and falls associated with accessing standard non-cabbed dumpers. The rotating console also allows the operator to face the direction of travel removing the requirement to look over the shoulder when reversing, reducing the potential of any musculoskeletal strains or injuries.
During the trials an operative stated “After using the Dual View for a full shift, not having to climb up and down when loading, like we often have to on other dumpers, my knees and back felt so much better when I got home.”
Since the development Costain has mandated guidance for all contracts on dumper selection for the task with Dual View as standard. The six-tonne limit has been removed allowing larger models to be used.
