“There has been a notable increase in customers’ propensity to proceed with capital expenditure in all of the main application segments and this has enabled us to make a better start to the current year than originally anticipated. New orders are up by around a third compared with the first quarter of 2020. This growth, combined with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.35, gives us cause for optimism about the months ahead. At the same time, we have significantly improved our profitability. This is in no small part due to the effects of cost savings that we have already achieved thanks to the rigorous implementation of our efficiency program,”

said CEO Dr. Frank Hiller.

Significant order growth; year-on-year rise in revenue

On the back of better than expected market demand, new orders received by Deutz in the first three months of this year jumped by 30.3% compared with the first quarter of 2020 to reach €464.8 million. All of the main application segments recorded double-digit percentage increases.

Unit sales of Deutz engines rose from 31,546 to 32,249. Including Torqeedo’s electric drives for boats, the Group sold a total of 38,384 engines and motors, compared with 40,069 in the first quarter of 2020. Consolidated revenue went up by 1.1% to €343.4 million due to a favorable product mix compared with that in the prior-year period.

Significant improvement in operating profit

EBIT before exceptional items (operating profit) improved significantly to a profit of €0.8 million in the first three months of this year (Q1/2020: loss of €11.8 million), partly due to the increasingly noticeable effect of cost savings resulting from the restructuring that was initiated in 2020. Furthermore, the figure for the prior-year period had been squeezed by payments to suppliers going through insolvency proceedings. The EBIT margin before exceptional items improved to 0.2%, compared with minus 3.5 % in the first quarter of 2020.

Group guidance for 2021 raised

Having made a better start to the new year than expected, Deutz is raising its full-year guidance for 2021. Based on current information, the Company anticipates unit sales of 140,000 to 155,000 Deutz engines (previously: at least 130,000), resulting in an increase in revenue to between €1.5 billion and €1.6 billion (previously: at least €1.4 billion). In view of the continued successful expansion of the service business, we still anticipate that service revenue will increase to around €400 million.

The Company had originally expected to at least break even in terms of EBIT margin before exceptional items in 2021 but now predicts that this margin will be in the range of 1.0% to 2.0%.

The supply situation remains difficult

The above guidance has been issued on the basis of current business performance and the current supply situation. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic and problems with the global supply of semiconductors are continuing to create uncertainties, making it impossible to accurately predict the potential impact on business performance, for example as a result of supply shortages. Difficulties with the supply of some components are expected to continue until at least the third quarter.

The quarterly statement for Q1/2021

The full quarterly statement for the first quarter of 2021, including the final results, will be published as scheduled on May 6, 2021.

Source: Deutz

The post Deutz Makes a Successful Start to the New Financial Year and Raises its Guidance for 2021 appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

An excavator is the most versatile and helpful piece of equipment that you can have on a construction or other worksite where you need to accomplish heavy-duty tasks. These machines provide incredible power and mobility, allowing you to perform a variety of functions, whether you’re digging out a foundation or clearing away debris. However, the key to having a well-functioning excavator is to follow proper operational procedures. Being smart about how you use your equipment will ensure that it’s there to help you whenever you need it.

At Burrows Tractor, we know how best to use an excavator to maximize efficiency and minimize damage. That’s why we have created this quick guide to offer you some pointers on how to operate your excavator. If you have any questions, call us or visit one of our dealership locations. You’ll find us in Yakima and Wenatchee, Washington, as well as North Plains, Oregon.

Training

Before anyone uses an excavator, they should receive thorough training. It’s not enough to simply sit through a presentation or read a manual on how a machine work. Hands-on training should be a part of the program, as it will be easier for people to remember the processes if they can walk through the steps. It will also allow an operator to use the machine under the supervision of a trainer so that mistakes can be caught early on and corrected before they become bad habits.

Keep Up with Maintenance

As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By staying on top of regular preventative maintenance, you can keep your excavator running smoothly for years. Excavators should be checked regularly so that you can catch any performance issues before they become a safety issue. Plus, catching them early also tends to help keep the repair costs low. The owner’s manual will give you a timeline for inspecting your machine’s components, so make sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Pre-Use Inspection

Before you begin your workday, look at the excavator’s mirrors to ensure that they’re clean and set properly. The control levers and the hydraulic system should be working properly. It’s much better to uncover a problem during an inspection than in the middle of a project. Remember to inspect the job site and remove any obstacles that could damage the undercarriage, such as rocks, stumps, and construction materials. See if there are any holes, ditches, or inclines you should be aware of while operating the machine.

Drive Safely

When moving the excavator around the job site, select a route that is as flat as possible, and keep the bucket low to the ground to increase visibility. Steer the machine as straight as possible and only make gradual changes in direction, rather than making sharp turns. Focus on keeping the unit as steady as possible.

Stay Aware of the Environment

Odds are that your job site is not going to be free of obstacles or challenges. Be aware of the area so you can easily adjust your driving as needed. If you hit a patch of unpredictable terrain or a congested area, reduce your speed. If you need to travel up a slope, do so vertically instead of diagonally. If you need to go down a slope, the excavator’s bucket bottom should be low and parallel to the ground.

Communication

Projects that involve excavators often involve multiple people. It’s important for team members to stay in good communication with each other, whether it’s with two-way radios, signs, flaggers, or a combination of approaches. When everyone is able to clearly communicate, it makes it easier for everyone to stay safe.

Final Steps

When shutting down the excavator, make sure that it’s parked on a level surface with the bucket attachment lowered to the ground. Turn off the auto-idle switch and run the engine at half throttle without load for a few minutes to help cool down the turbocharger. Set the RPM to low idle before shutting off the engine with the key switch. Last but not least, don’t forget to lock up the cab before you call it a day.

Don’t forget to keep these excavator operation tips in mind the next time you start up your machine for a day of work. For more information on how to operate excavators safely, get in touch with us at Burrows Tractor. Our expert staff is always on hand to answer questions or give advice, so give us a call or visit one of our dealership locations near Kennewick, Ellensburg, and Richland, WA. We welcome all those in Portland, OR.

Source: Burrows Tractor

The post Burrows Tractor explains how best to us an excavator appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.