Confidence in South Africa’s construction industry plummeted to 17-year lows in 2017. Policy uncertainty, slow economic growth and an underperforming rand were red flags to investors. Are there...
The type of surface material used in road construction is largely dependent on traffic volume, weight load and weather conditions. As extreme temperatures are not a factor in South Arica, the roads...
In Part 2 of our series on mountain passes by Thomas Bain, we explore the master engineer’s final projects. Cogmans Kloof Pass – 1873 – Montagu to Ashton Cogmans Kloof Pass is one of the grand pass...
Many of South Africa's most spectacular mountain passes were constructed by Thomas Bain. His innovative and often daring road construction methods resulted in roads that opened up links between the...
If you want to extend the life of a motor grader to 100 000 hours and more, a pre-emptive maintenance plan and proper operating techniques are fundamental to success. Here’s a quick guide to getting...
Building a gravel road takes planning, preparation and the use of specialised grading and compacting equipment. Ideally, you want a smooth, uniform surface that can handle heavy loads and heavy...
The age of fully automated mining is already here. Remote-controlled trucks, locomotives and loading systems are in operation in open-cast mines in Australia, and robotic rock drilling rigs are in...
In recent years, grade control systems for motor graders, crawler dozers and excavators have revolutionised construction. They increase grading accuracy and job efficiency.
According to McKinsey & Company, worldwide mining operations in 2015 were as much as 28 percent less productive than they were in 2005. That means mines everywhere are looking to cut costs – and motor graders can help.
Like all heavy equipment, motor graders that pass a certain age generally begin to show wear and tear, and are more likely to suffer from mechanical and performance problems. Then it’s time to...
