Dubai Client Visits Anman: Why the AM-17 Is Better Suited to Middle East Urban Projects
On September 21, a principal of a Dubai-based construction company visited Anman's Yangzhou factory for an on-site inspection. The visit was intended to review Anman's production lines, manufacturing processes and finished machine quality at first hand. Although the client has no immediate procurement plan, he expressed clear interest in long-term cooperation between the two sides.
Inspecting the AM-24 Dual Power Head Drill Rig
Upon entering the workshop, the client first inspected the AM-24 dual power head drill rig. The AM-24 is a heavy-duty model in Anman's anchoring series, configured with an HQ-450 hydraulic power head and an HD-120X percussive power head. The HQ-450 hydraulic power head delivers a maximum torque of 45,000 N·m, while the HD-120X percussive power head provides a maximum torque of 16,000 N·m together with a maximum impact energy of 650 J, enabling DTH drilling with simultaneous casing (ODEX/casing drilling). The rig supports anchor and micropile installation and offers marked efficiency advantages on large excavations and deep anchor projects. The client examined the machine in detail and held an in-depth discussion with our engineers on parameters such as power head torque, mast stroke and the ground-bearing pressure of the crawler chassis.
The client also stated clearly: "This machine is too large for my needs."
His business focuses on urban renewal projects in Dubai, including ancillary works for metro stations, basements of high-rise buildings and municipal pipeline rehabilitation. Most such projects lie within built-up areas, where sites are constrained by hoardings, adjacent structures and overhead utilities. Although a large dual-power-head machine can access the site, it offers limited flexibility for relocation and positioning. Local contractors therefore tend to prefer machines of moderate tonnage that can be quickly dismantled, reassembled and moved between sites.
Recommending the AM-17 Based on Actual Working Conditions
In light of this feedback, our team accompanied the client to inspect the AM-17 in detail. The AM-17 is a multi-purpose model in Anman's crawler top drive range. Its core advantage is that, through different configuration options, a single machine can adapt to multiple methods, including top-drive rotary drilling, jet grouting and anchoring. It is suited to tunnel pipe-roof support, micropiles, horizontal drilling and similar works. With a compact structure and a crawler chassis with low ground-bearing pressure, it handles both operation and relocation on narrow urban sites.
The client operated the machine on site, testing the mast luffing and feed movements, and focused on the following three questions:
Can the machine handle both high-pressure jet grouting and anchoring? The two methods can be switched through modular configuration changes, with no need for a separate machine.
How long does it take to change configurations? Our team explained the changeover procedure for standard tools and configurations on site, and the client noted that the changeover efficiency was noticeably better than that of his existing equipment.
Is there a spare parts supply channel in Dubai? We presented the spare parts support system established for the Southeast Asian market and outlined the planned development of spare parts channels for the Middle East.
In addition, we can offer flexible, customized configuration services. The client asked us to prepare a configuration proposal for an AM-17 base machine with HQ-350/HD-100 dual power heads based on his working conditions.
A Discussion of Competitiveness in the Middle East Market
During the exchange, the client raised a question that is characteristic of the Middle East market: local users tend to compare new machines from Chinese brands with used machines from German and Italian brands. How should Chinese equipment demonstrate its competitiveness?
Our team analyzed the question from three dimensions:
First, site adaptability outweighs tonnage figures. Used European-brand machines are generally of high tonnage, yet the key constraint on Middle East urban projects is machine access rather than maximum capacity — sites that an 18-tonne-class AM-17 can enter are often inaccessible to 30-tonne-class machines.
Second, total lifecycle cost is more favorable. Once used equipment passes beyond its warranty period, the failure of core components such as hydraulic pumps, power heads or mast cylinders entails high repair costs and downtime losses. Anman provides a one-year warranty on the complete machine, 24-hour response and direct spare parts shipment, effectively reducing hidden operating costs.
Third, method compatibility determines utilization rates. Large machines show outstanding efficiency in deep anchor work, but urban projects generally involve shallower holes and frequent method changes; a multi-purpose top-drive machine such as the AM-17 achieves a higher actual utilization rate.
The client said that after returning home he would evaluate the configuration proposal comprehensively in the context of his projects. Procurement cycles in the Middle East are generally long, particularly on first contact with a Chinese brand, and thorough technical justification helps build long-term trust.
From Machine Inspection to Channel Cooperation
Toward the end of the visit, the client took the initiative to express his interest in cooperation: in addition to using the equipment himself, he hopes to become Anman's regional agent in Dubai, given the continuing demand among his local industry contacts for anchor drill rigs and solar pile drill rigs. We suggested that the specific configuration requirements for the AM-17 be clarified first, and that an in-depth discussion of the agency framework follow once the equipment matching proposal is confirmed.
This is consistent with Anman's current channel strategy: equipment compatibility and verification under actual working conditions come first, before channel-level cooperation is advanced. A regional agency means more than brand authorization; it represents a systematic delivery of after-sales service, spare parts and technical support.
The Value of Precise Matching in the Gulf Market
Foundation works in Gulf cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha share common characteristics: projects tend toward small and medium scale, construction frequency is high, and site space is limited. The traditional approach of selling large machines needs to shift toward precise matching in the Gulf market — the positioning of the compact, multi-purpose AM-17 top drive rig fills precisely the gap between large used European machines and low-end small machines from the domestic market.
If you are engaged in anchoring, jet grouting, tunneling or solar pile construction in the Middle East, or if you need a top drive rig that can handle both high-pressure jet grouting and anchoring, please contact Anman to arrange a factory visit or request an AM-17 working-condition configuration proposal.
