MB Crusher has highlighted a series of European demolition projects carried out in 2025 across Italy and France, where its shears were used on constrained urban sites and sensitive structures.

Excavator with shear tearing down urban building MB-PT1650 shear in action on site in France (Image credit: MB Crusher)

The Italian manufacturer of attachments for heavy equipment said contractors selected its equipment for projects in historic city centres, urban development projects and confined spaces, where precision and control were essential.

In Sardinia, the urban renewal of the Sacro Cuore district in Sassari began with the top-down demolition of a three-story building on Via Mascagni. This inner-city construction site, surrounded by neighbouring buildings, saw a CAT 323 excavator equipped with the MB-PT1650 demolition shear in operation.

The MB-PT1650 proved particularly well-suited for this type of operation thanks to its constant-force closing system and Hardox construction, which offered greater control and increased safety, said MB Crusher.

The same setup was employed in Belpasso, in the province of Catania in Sicily, with work taking place in the heart of the town. With limited space, the MB-PT1650 continuous 360-degree rotation allowed the operator to adjust the attachment and work on beams, ceilings and columns without repositioning the machine.

The shear features integrated cutting blades for rebar and replaceable teeth to cover all phases, meaning the attachment can be used to demolish, sort and separate on site.

In Villeneuve-sur-Lot in southern France, a renewal project in the Cieutat district aimed to demolish structures quickly with minimal disruption. Contractor Artebat opted for a Doosan 235 LCR short-tail excavator combined with the MB-PT1650 for navigating between historic buildings, narrow streets and confined spaces.

The MB-PT1650 shear’s hydraulic system ensures consistent power control, while the interchangeable kits allowed for adaptation to different construction phases.

In the Vaucluse department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of southeastern France, a two-story hall attached to a residential building was demolished without damaging the adjacent structure. The contractor, Guillaume TP, also chose an MB-PT1650 for the job. After demolition, the same excavator was used to crush the material on site.

Close up of shear taking out swimming pool MB-P380 shear in swimming pool removal (Image credit: MB Crusher)

The final project highlighted was the demolition of an old concrete pool during the winter in France. Here, a Doosan DX62 excavator equipped with an MB-P380 demolition shear dismantled the structure. According to the company, the MB-P380’s strength lies in the ability of the operator to regulate the power and grip in order to carry out the job without transmitting excessive vibrations to any surrounding structures.

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