Site equipment

From Kaeser is the Mobilair 170 portable compressor, which offers a maximum free air delivery of 17 m³/min at 8.6 bar. Powered by a six-cylinder 127 kW Deutz engine, the unit weighs 2.7 t, making it lighter than many comparable models.

A key feature is the company's Sigma Control mobile (SCm) system, which matches the engine speed to air demand. This helps to optimise fuel consumption, thanks to the electronically controlled air intake valve, and also allows pressure to be controlled to within 0.1 Bar. The control panel features a sturdy metal cover and is shock and vibration resistant.

France's SDMO has put its 1000 kVA R1000C2 genset inside a new container, the CIR 20 Dry, modified from the High Cube version of earlier models. The new container is 2.59 m high and easily transportable, says the company, without using a low-bed trailer.

Also, the new packaging limits noise to 80 db (at 1 m) and positions all operating controls and connections on the same side, as well as physically isolates them from the generator and engine. Controls include a dedicated-for-rental version of SDMO's Kerys industrial controller. Called Kerys Location, its use is intuitive, says SDMO, and allows use by novices.

Elsewhere it its range, the 12.8 kW RL16 lighting mast, shown in prototype in at the International Rental Exhibition in Amsterdam in 2008, has a new trailer. Options on the 1430 kg, Mitsubishi-powered model are a hot-galvanized chassis and European connectors. Also, rental companies can remove its genset from the trailer for separate rental.

SDMO has a new product specifically for powering site huts -- the 10 kVA R10C Power Box. It measures 1150 mm x 804 mm x 1155 mm and can fit against a partition without blocking access to maintenance points. Noise level is 70 db (at 1 m) while delivering 75% of its maximum power.

Europower Generators in Belgium has expanded its New Boy super-silenced line with the 13 kVA maximum output EPS133TDE model. Powered by a 14.5 kW Kubota engine, it is the same size - 138 x 64 x 68 mm -- as the previously most powerful 11 kVA model. The 360 kg EPS133TDE has a noise level of 69 dB(A) at 7 m at 75% load, and it will run for 5.5 hours at full power on a tank of fuel.