The new-look fleet of wheel loaders from Volvo CE (Image source: Volvo CE)

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is launching its new generation wheel loaders that will be available for the Africa market later this year

The five revamped models are the L150, L180, L200 High Lift, L220 and L260 and are designed for optimal productivity, operator comfort and safety.

Aside from a fresh design, these hard-working and versatile machines offer faster cycle times, exceptional performance and unmatched operator comfort, packed with intelligent solutions to help customers maximise productivity and profitability.

“Our new generation wheel loaders represent a significant leap forward in technology and design,” said Erich Kribs, product manager at Volvo CE.

The introduction of new generation load sensing hydraulics enables faster cycle times by ensuring attachment responsiveness and improving boom lift and lowering speeds.

An automatic bucket levelling function further boosts productivity by returning the bucket to a level position from both dump and curl positions, while the intelligent Auto Bucket Fill feature delivers optimal, consistent bucket filling every time.

Thanks to updated Smart Control, the fuel-efficient engine mode activates by default whenever the machine is turned on, reducing fuel consumption without compromising productivity. The wheel loaders are also compatible with HVO (Hydro-treated Vegetable Oils) fuel.

“With these models, we’re not just enhancing productivity and comfort but also setting new standards for innovation and efficiency in the industry,” added Kribs.

“This latest launch is part of our most ambitious year yet, as we continue to introduce a range of groundbreaking products designed to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

With an entirely Volvo powertrain, quality runs through the DNA of the wheel loaders, in delivering optimal stability and efficiency by synchronising the transmission with the engine and axles.

The converter delivers increased torque output for better performance at low speeds, while reduced gear step intervals provide even faster acceleration and smoother operation.

Pioneering technologies such as Volvo’s OptiShift and the patented Reverse By Braking (RBB) function decrease cycle times and extend component lifespan.

To support robust performance in the most demanding applications, such as the African market, the unique Volvo Torque Parallel (TP) linkage delivers high breakout torque and ultimate parallel movement throughout the entire lifting range.

Volvo CE has also prioritised operator comfort, safety and ease of service in its latest wheel loader update.

The new generation wheel loaders will be gradually introduced across select markets globally during 2025, the company said.

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The AllSpace modular eco-housing concept (Image source: Swarovski Foundation)

A solar-powered modular housing design for refugees, developed by a young Nigerian, has scooped a prestigious prize from the Swarovski Foundation and the United Nations

Blossom Eromsele, 23, developed the AllSpace Modular Home, a low-cost, solar-powered housing solution designed for refugee camps, that takes its inspiration from traditional African huts.

The structures are made from recycled materials, providing a sustainable and scalable alternative for displaced communities.

The winners of the Creatives for Our Future programme, championed by the Swarovski Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships, each receive a grant, along with tailored mentorship, educational support, and access to an influential global network.

All winning projects, spanning four continents, tackle pressing social and environmental challenges — from sustainable refugee housing to bio-integrated architecture and regenerative textile production.

“The Creatives for Our Future programme is an incredible platform for young innovators like myself to drive meaningful change,” said Eromsele.

“With the support of the Swarovski Foundation, I hope to expand AllSpace to more communities and ensure that displaced families have access to safe housing with vital resources while addressing environmental challenges. As we work with other communities, we will adapt our designs to meet their specific needs and cultural norms and requirements.”

Nigeria is facing a refugee crisis, with over 3.2 million people internally displaced due to ongoing conflicts in the country’s north-east, extreme weather events and rapid urbanisation.

Many existing refugee camps lack basic essentials like sanitation, reliable energy, or robustly-constructed shelters that do not offer privacy.

In response, the Nigerian-born architect and designer felt compelled to help, with her low-cost and sustainable modular housing solution.

Made from recycled materials and powered by solar energy, the homes respect and reflect local architectural heritage, fostering a sense of familiarity and belonging for displaced communities, according to Eromsele.

After winner the award, she plans to test and refine prototypes in a refugee camp, developing materials for different environments and terrains.

The AllSpace units include a solar-powered lighting system made from reused e-waste and plastic bottles developed by Stanley Anigbogu, a member of the 2024 Creatives for Our Future cohort.

Eromsele’s work in sustainable architecture has earned her further international recognition, including the Young Global Changer Award and selection as a Young Climate Prize Fellow.

“Each year, I am inspired by the remarkable creativity and vision of these young innovators,” said Jakhya Rahman-Corey, director of the Swarovski Foundation.

“Their groundbreaking solutions demonstrate the transformative power of creativity in tackling global challenges. Through the Creatives for Our Future programme, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of talent, providing them with the tools, education and support needed to turn their ideas into impactful solutions.”

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A Condra portal crane in action. (Image source: Condra)

A single, purpose-built Condra top gantry crane is to service Ngwadini Dam, currently under construction as part of the Lower uMkhomazi bulk water supply project in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The design, proposed by Condra’s Johannesburg office, was chosen ahead of competing tenders suggesting combinations of individual machines to operate the dam’s trash racks, sluice gates and stop blocks.

Condra proposed a single portal crane: one machine fitted with two hoists traversing the same platform. The crane will straddle the dam’s 52-metre-high wall as an integral unit to deliver a neater and simpler lifting solution.

The crane’s physical appearance is dominated by cantilevers at both ends of the 31.5-metre girders, while supporting legs are spaced just 19.5 metres apart. The crane will stand 11.3 metres high.

Traversing the girders will be two hoists with capacities of 15 tons and 3 tons. Together they will manage sluice gate and trash rack installation, then execute all aspects of machinery operation and maintenance after the crane is commissioned.

Manufacture at Condra’s Germiston works is almost complete, with delivery scheduled for May and commissioning set to take place in June.

“The main hoist is unusual in its orientation at an angle of 45 degrees to the girder platform,” according a statement by Condra Cranes. “This is necessary to ensure that the rope will run clear of asymmetrically orientated slots accessing the wall’s guide shafts.”

Condra’s design engineers also increased the diameter of the rope drum and reduced its width to attain the required rope lead angle, adjusting the gear reduction and gearbox size to accommodate these changes.

Ngwadini Dam’s gantry crane will feature proximity sensors on the girder rails and ground rails, part of a positioning system with integrated display panel read-out to indicate when the crane is correctly and precisely positioned to execute its various lifting and lowering functions.

It will also feature flood lights, storm brakes, radio control with pendant back-up and a full-length walkway.

All crane components, including the 31.5-metre girders, have a maximum length of 12 metres to allow delivery by vehicle along difficult access roads.

Each girder is spliced at two points in such a way that there will be a smooth path for the crab wheels, with each splice comprising a combination of bolts and steel plates welded eccentrically to all inside faces of the male section of the box girder. This provides a friction grip to reinforce girder strength and integrity beyond that delivered by the splice bolts alone. The end result is an almost seamless clamped joint with a projected girder life in excess of 20 years, the Condra statement noted.

“Condra’s top-gantry crane for Ngwadini Dam is the latest in this company’s long pedigree of machines designed and manufactured for dam walls across southern Africa, among them the reservoirs of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project where machines with extreme lift heights of 158 metres were commissioned in the late 1990s.”

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Junttan has a new-generation product line powered by Volvo Penta engines. (Image source: Volvo Penta)

Junttan has unveiled its next-generation product line with the launch of the DR5 drilling rig, marking a significant milestone in the company’s evolution

This new line is powered by Volvo Penta engines, with the DR5 being the first to integrate the high-performance Stage V / Tier 4f Volvo Penta TAD1385VE. Delivering 405 kW, this compact yet powerful engine is specifically designed for specialised equipment that requires exceptional uptime and reliability.

“For us, this is a strategic choice for the long term,” remarked Tomi Voutilainen, director of product management and engineering at Junttan. “Volvo Penta’s offering doesn’t just meet our technical needs today — it has the range, flexibility, and development paths to support where we’re going tomorrow.”

The decision to partner with Volvo Penta was made following a comprehensive evaluation process that began in 2020, as Junttan sought to equip its machinery for future job site challenges. Beyond meeting technical criteria such as extended service intervals, compact engine architecture, and adaptable power configurations, Volvo Penta stood out for its alignment in values — including a shared emphasis on transparency, responsiveness, and agility.

“This collaboration shows how Volvo Penta supports OEMs with flexible, dependable solutions,” commented Pasi Järvelä, area sales manager at Volvo Penta. “We aim to be a responsive, long-term partner that grows with our customers.”

A forward-looking partnership

Given the global and often remote nature of Junttan’s operations, the partnership with Volvo Penta offers a crucial advantage: access to a broad, reliable service network that supports ease of maintenance and continuous performance in demanding environments. The new-generation portfolio — encompassing pile driving rigs, drilling rigs, and hydraulic power packs — has been engineered to boost operational efficiency, extend maintenance intervals, and reduce overall ownership costs.

Sustainability and innovation are at the core of this alliance. The DR5 exemplifies Junttan’s forward-thinking approach, incorporating a 20-ton reduction in weight compared to earlier models and the capability to run entirely on renewable HVO fuel.

“This partnership is built to evolve,” Tomi added. “Volvo Penta’s roadmap and modular approach give us confidence that we’ll have the power solutions we need — whatever the future brings.”

Also read: Volvo Penta debuts versatile BESS for demanding sites