TWO new series of cold planers and three new models in its single-drum roller series were among the innovative machines launched by Bomag at Intermat 2009, an international equipment and machinery expo held during April in Paris, France.

The new series of cold planers feature a wealth of innovations: the 300 HP class offers superb manoeuvrability, high operational stability and uniform milling finish while the fully-redeveloped 600 HP class is designed to impress with its excellent milling performance, reduced cutter wear, the first fully vibration-insulated operator’s platform on the European market and an innovative, movable protective roof, according to the  global leader in the field of compaction technology.
Commenting on some of these innovative features, a spokesman for the company says: “The work of Bomag engineers has culminated in the first vibration-insulated operator’s platform on the European market. Instead of using a uniformly-welded frame for the new series, our engineers separated the operator’s station from the machine and mounted the platform itself on vibration dampers, thus eliminating harmful vibrations. The new exhaust control reduces noise emissions and adds to the comfort of the operator.
“The first model in the new 600 HP class, the BM 2000/60, has a working width of 2 m. It features a wide protective roof that can be moved sideways together with the front windscreen, giving the driver a clear view of the milled edge without having to stand outside the cab, as in conventional planers. At the same time, the planer now has more clearance on the opposite side from trees or other obstructions.”
This new standard of operator comfort and convenience extends also to the ground station with the largest lockable storage space in its class and new, lighter doors. The compartment is easy to access from the ground but also provides theft-proof storage for cutters, tools and protective clothing.
Another major innovation is easier transport. With the new machines, the operator’s roof is foldable for easier transport but more importantly, all Bomag cold planers in the 500 and 600 HP class are fitted as standard with a hydraulic, fully automatic folding conveyor belt. The contractor no longer has to provide specialist transport when the planer needs moving, the spokesman says.
The BM 2000/60 punches above its weight – helped by a water reserve 10 per cent larger than its predecessor, now 3,500 litres, held in two tanks. The machine works for longer without needing to re-tank, and is also better ballasted. The rear tracks suffer less slippage and therefore lower wear and the planer produces a more even milled finish, the spokesman points out.
New hydraulic side plates on the milling box also provide continuous and accurate grading. Material accumulation no longer causes a float effect as it is easily dispersed by temporary pressure on the side plates. Consequently, grading is maintained according to the preset specification.
The second new series, the 300 HP now features a host of innovations, putting these models right at the top in this class, according to the spokesman. Three models have been launched in working widths of 1 m, 1.2 m and 1.3 m. Designed for small or medium-sized jobs, these machines are ideal wherever speed and manoeuvrability are essential. This class has a centrally-mounted rotor and hence all four tracks remain fully steerable with this central arrangement. In addition, the supports have been extended to give good ground clearance even at milling depths of up to 32 cm.
In addition, working time on site has been increased by extending the water tank capacity by 25 per cent to 1,250 litres.

Single-drum roller
The three new models in Bomag’s single-drum roller series that were launched at Intermat include the smallest in the series, the BW 124 DH/PDH, which has been totally redesigned for added flexibility and efficiency; the BW 214 D (which meets the requirements of the VM4 class) that has been specially developed for the French market; and the BW 216 D-40, which is designed for markets not requiring CE conformity.
Among them, the BW 124 DH/PDH has an operating weight of 3.3 tonnes and is available with a smooth drum like the BW 124 DH model and with a pad foot roller drum like the BW 124 PDH model. Compact design and versatility characterise the BW 124.
“This mobile machine with a track radius of just 2.2 m shows its qualities to great advantage on horticulture and landscaping, pipelines and backfilling applications,” says the spokesman. “Two amplitudes are standard and enable compaction forces to be adjusted to site requirements. The BW 124 can increase its utilisation with an optional dozer blade on the front frame in a choice of three blade types: with up/down function; with up/down and pivot function; and with up/down and rotate function.”
“The BW 124 DH/PDH is the versatile and low-cost solution to many types of work as materials can be simultaneously distributed, shaped and compacted,” he adds.  Ahmed Mansoor Al A’ali is the agent for Bomag in Bahrain.