Kubota announced their KX019-4 LPG (Liquid Petrol Gas) mini excavator prototype at Bauma last week. This new model can run on LPG and is powered by a next generation Kubota Spark Ignition series engine.

The KX019-4 LPG will allowr users to work in emission restricted access areas such as cities applying diesel-bans, and also generates less noise emissions. Using the industrial standard gas bottles available everywhere, the machine is easily and quickly refuelled by replacing the bottle. The machine is equipped with a reserve tank (gas accumulator) so that the operator can notice before the gas bottle becomes empty.

The performance characteristics of KX019-4 LPG are exactly the same as the diesel powered KX019. The excavator’s undercarriage is variable, which allows operators to enter into areas with less than a metre of access. This machine does not compromise on the level of stability and security required due to an enlarged lower frame. Furthermore, the working range of KX019-4 LPG provides an operational amplitude and guarantees a maximum digging depth of over two and a half metres which is sufficient for urban applications.

Boss can supply any existing Kubota model.

​Who is likely to be affected?
Businesses investing more than £200,000 in plant and machinery from January 2019.
 
General description of the measure
The measure provides significantly faster tax relief for plant and machinery investments between £200,000 and £1 million, helping businesses to invest and grow.
 
Background to the measure
The maximum amount of the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) was temporarily increased to £500,000 at Budget 2014. Summer Budget 2015 set the rate of AIA permanently to £200,000 from 1 January 2016.
 
This measure increases the amount of the AIA to £1,000,000 from January 2019.
 
Current law
Since 1 April 2008 (Corporation Tax) and 6 April 2008 (Income Tax) most businesses, regardless of size, have been able to claim the AIA on their expenditure on plant or machinery, up to a specified annual amount each year (subject to certain conditions mentioned below). Summer Budget 2015 set the permanent limit of AIA to £200,000 from 1 January 2016.
Businesses are able to claim the AIA in respect of their expenditure on both main rate and ‘special rate’ plant and machinery. There are however certain exceptions, set out in section 38B of the Capital Allowances Act 2001 (CAA), the main exception being expenditure on cars.
The AIA is a 100 per cent upfront allowance that applies to qualifying expenditure up to a specified annual limit or cap. Where businesses spend more than the annual limit, any additional qualifying expenditure will attract relief under the normal capital allowances regime, entering either the main rate or the special rate pool, where it will attract writing-down allowances at the main rate or special rate respectively.

Manitou has launched its 100% electric range. The Oxygen line includes a new aerial platform and a number of telehandler models.
The ATJ 200 e Oxygen is the group’s first electric all terrain aerial platform. With a working height of up to 20m for a maximum capacity of 230kg, the model provides the same performance as a diesel-powered version.
Equipped with a 48 V battery, it can achieve up to one working day on full charge in adverse weather conditions. The low-voltage battery allows technicians to work on it without special certification. With a weight of 7,200kg and a length of 6m, it is also easily transportable. Another engine located inside the turret drives a pump that provides hydraulic flow for all the platform movements. This model can climb at a 45° angle. The reduction in total cost of ownership for the user is estimated at 20% compared to a diesel-powered equivalent, said the company. 
The MRT 2550 h Oxygen Lab telehandler is a hybrid prototype version of the diesel MRT 2550 model, capable of operating in 100% electric mode. Retaining the same characteristics as the diesel-powered version, it has 25 m lifting height for a capacity of 5 tonnes.

​BOMAG win gold Plantworx Innovation Award for digital innovation, sponsored by LEICA, for their new BOMAP App

The inaugural Digital Innovation Award attracted a wide variety of entries, from simulation-based training to plant-hire solutions, but the judges felt that two innovations deserved awards for tackling genuine on-site issues.

The Gold Award was presented to BOMAG GB for its BOMAP App, which simplifies measurement, documentation and control for soil and asphalt compaction. The App is designed to work on standard smartphones and tablets. Machine operators can simply plug their own device, loaded with the App, into the cab rather than having to use special hardware.

The judges felt this “bring-your-own-device” approach should make operators feel comfortable using dynamic compaction control systems, making adoption of the technology much easier.

With the BOMAP approach, customers can choose how far down the automation route they want to go, from simple roller pass-counting to completely integrated solution that track and document multiple construction jobs, machines and operators.

The judges praised BOMAG’s open approach in developing a solution that works on compaction equipment made by any manufacturer.