Two Good Design Awards for HAMM

Well-designed construction machinery allows the operator to be able to understand all the functions effortlessly and to operate the machine intuitively. This brings the associated advantages of increased safety, efficiency and comfort. "We have been harmonising ergonomics, functionality and aesthetics for over 30 years; for us, not just pure performance, but also the health of the operator and ease of handling are right at the top of the agenda," says Dr. Axel Römer, Head of Research and Development at HAMM. This philosophy was also significant in the development of the now award-winning compactor series.

Two awards in the "Industrial" category

The two latest compactor series in the HAMM portfolio received awards in the "Industrial" category. The renowned design award has been presented for 75 years and is one of the world's most important awards for ground-breaking design. The Good Design Award honours high-quality products which stand out thanks to their impressive form, function and aesthetics. In awarding this prize, the jury evaluates the product in terms of level of innovative of the design, new technologies, form, materials, construction, concept, function, utility, and energy efficiency, as well as sensitivity to the environment.

HC series: A modern look and comfortable to operate

Straightforward, clearly structured and exceptionally dynamic, the HC series (85 kW/11 t – 160 kW/25 t) reinterprets the tried-and-tested style elements of the HAMM brand. Visually, the new shape of the engine hood stands out in particular: This gives the compactor exterior real muscle; the geometry provides excellent visibility to the rear. Both the interior and the operator's platform provide plenty of freedom of movement. The jury agreed that "the ambience of the new cab gives the driver a completely new feeling of space," and deemed that "the spacious cab sets new standards for visibility and workstation design." The space can be ideally utilised thanks to a comfort seat with a new rotating and sliding mechanism. The design of the workstation follows the Easy Drive operating concept, whereby all operating elements are clearly laid out and language-neutral. Accordingly, the compactors can be operated intuitively and easily. The vibrations and the noise level for the operator are significantly reduced compared to previous models thanks to the materials and the design. A comfortable heating and air-conditioning system in the cab keeps the windows free of fog and contribute to the outstanding visibility. Storage compartments, ventilation and lighting round off the level of comfort offered by this well-designed construction machinery.

Design supports efficiency and sustainability

New concepts in engine and vibration management allowed HAMM to increase the power considerably and at the same time reduce exhaust gas emissions, noise and vibrations. Moreover, the design supports the overall performance of the HC series, thanks to the newly designed front vehicle, for example "with a significantly greater clearance between the drum and the crossbeam, where material cannot accumulate," according to the specialist jury. This means that downtimes for cleaning the drum are a thing of the past, while productivity increases. Moreover, customers benefit from an extensive range of options and can adapt each roller ideally to their individual requirements and areas of application.

Ready for a digital construction site

The new compactors from HAMM are equipped for the digitalisation of the construction industry. The jury adds: "The HC series compactors are 'digital ready' and so meet future construction site quality and communication requirements. Using the Smart Doc app from HAMM, even less-experienced drivers can immediately determine which areas have been sufficiently compacted and which areas still require compaction. Furthermore, the compactors can communicate, even with digital applications from third parties, via a standardised interface."

HC CompactLine series: Compact and safe

The HC CompactLine (55.4 kW/5 t – 7 t), which also won an award, is in the small compactor segment. Particularly noteworthy is the 7-ton HC 70i which, at 4.40 m in length, is the world's shortest compactor in this weight class. Combined with the 3-point articulation and the extremely short wheelbase, this results in excellent driving and handling characteristics. In their reasoning, the jury stressed that the compactors, thanks to their compact form, short wheelbase and a remarkable gradeability, are perfectly suited for compaction in narrow construction sites and in trenches. The jurors also emphasised that the HC CompactLine series "is extremely easy to operate thanks to the standard intuitive operation, embedded in an ergonomically optimised workstation." Part of that is the language-neutral operation. The logical arrangement, careful design and clear symbols on the operating elements make manual operations straightforward. Back-lit buttons ensure correct operation, even in the dark. The arrangement of the steering wheel allows a clear view of and easy access to the dashboard.