Platform on civil engineering, underground infrastructure, energy, construction equipment & construction machinery
When you've been around since 1855, you definitely have something to say as a construction company. Dura Vermeer is a family business that became big by bringing together two worlds - construction (Dura) and infra (P. Vermeer) - and has been enthusiastically building the Netherlands ever since. From roads to residential areas and from railroads to urban redevelopment. As soon as things get complicated, Dura Vermeer is at the forefront. Its own equipment service enables smart, efficient construction sites for colleagues and clients.
The move to emission-free equipment fits quite logically with that. “To a large extent we are doing it out of conviction,” says Marco Tieleman, branch manager of Dura Vermeer Materieel BV. “But it is also a strategic choice. The market is in the midst of energy transition. And if you want to lead the way as a company, you have to show that you mean business.” Thanks to investments in sustainable equipment, Dura Vermeer has now won many projects where zero-emission was a hard requirement.
In late May, three identical DX165W Electric mobile excavators delivered. With a demo and explanation, which made our operators enthusiastic. A few days later the machines were festively presented to clients and municipalities. They are now running in Amsterdam and Haarlem. That is just the beginning. The machines are finished in the recognizable green and yellow Dura Vermeer color scheme, which makes them not only practical but also a real eye-catcher in the city center. Each DX165W Electric is equipped with a replaceable 400 kWh Powerbox 400, which allows the operator to work continuously for between 10 and 14 hours. The 600 V high-voltage system ensures safety and efficiency; a smart choice in places where available power on the job site is limited. A 360° camera system makes it a lot safer for the operator in crowded inner cities, while a comfortable seat with air suspension and climate control ensure that it is easy to keep going during long days.
Dura Vermeer looked around widely before making any decisions. “Ultimately, we want a one-stop shop where we can go for service and warranty,” Marco says. “If something happens, you have to be able to say: take care of it. Then you can't have the manufacturer and the conversion company pointing at each other.” That's exactly why Staad was chosen as the supplier. The service is clear, the lines are short and the expertise on electric equipment is growing along with the market. The latter is important because electrical requires different, specialized knowledge.
Two machines run in the heart of Amsterdam, the third in Haarlem. Anyone who has ever seen a construction site there knows that this is no ordinary workplace. Narrow streets, cyclists rushing between everything and residents or tourists stepping past the barriers. For machinists, it's pretty intense. “In Amsterdam, you work on a postage stamp,” Marco knows. “You have to see everything and be able to switch gears quickly. That requires a different type of machinist than in large earthmoving operations. They are almost assistant operators. There is nothing that escapes them.”
The DX165W Electric proves itself here every day. The paving and sewerage jobs are tough and require a machine that is economical, compact, maneuverable and quiet. The fact that there are no emissions and hardly any noise, not only helps on the tight sites, but also in the understanding of local residents. This is especially true when working on the tramway, which is often done late at night or at night. ’We have another similar type running at Region Southwest and one on the Tiel-Waardenburg dike reinforcement project.“
Although the DX165W Electric is equipped with an interchangeable Powerbox 400, in practice it is rarely changed at our site. In the inner city, people mainly look for power points nearby. “Two connections of 22 kW are sufficient,” he says. That sometimes requires some creativity, such as scaling up a charging station that is out of service during street reconstruction. Dura Vermeer uses NRG's so-called Power Map to look for public or dormant connections, such as from annual fairs or sports clubs. Marco: “This involves more planning than ‘just sending a fuel truck along’, but often yields surprising options.”
Meanwhile, within Dura Vermeer, much thought is being given to further expansion of the electrical machinery fleet. This includes the new STAAD 17W mobile excavator. Marco sees clear differences from the DX165W Electric. “The 17W looks even more compact. It seems even easier to maneuver. Considerable strides have also been made in powertrain efficiency and battery technology. Thanks to a battery pack placed low in the chassis and larger windows, rear visibility is great.” Exactly those kinds of advances count in places where space is scarce and safety crucial.
Electric machines require less maintenance than diesel variants, but they do require careful use. Faults are often more difficult to detect because everything runs via Canbus. So when making new investments in emission-free equipment, Dura Vermeer always looks at after-sales. “The quality of the machines is good,” says Marco. “Of course there are the occasional minor problems, but what's more important is how quickly and adequately Staad solves them. Nothing but praise for that.”
The three DX165W Electric mobile excavators deployed by Dura Vermeer in Amsterdam and Haarlem are identical in every detail. These include an engcon EC219 swivel tilt attachment with gripper, a welded lifting eye on the dipperstick and foil on the windows to block out sunlight. We also see automatic grease lubrication from DropsaVET, BMair overpressure preparation, Leica GPS preparation, fenders that can take a beating and a trailer hitch with extensive bucket kit. Even the silver-gray rims with Nokian Ground Kare tires were deliberately chosen.
