Komatsu excavator reaches new depths
12/07/2004

A UK first for Marubeni-Komatsu is helping Tarmac Western to achieve a sand and gravel yield of 150 tonnes per hour from a wet-dig pit in Herefordshire.

The PC600-6 excavator features a bespoke 25 metre long-reach arm which enables the Tarmac operatives to dig below water to a depth of 13 metres at its Shobdon Sand and Gravel pit near Leominster.  This is the longest Komatsu rig operating in the UK.

Running a 10-hour day, the PC600-6 extracts some 1,500 tonnes a day, much of which would be inaccessible with a conventional length excavator arm.

Malcolm Thompson, Aggregates & Asphalt Director for Tarmac Western, comments – “We are very familiar with the PC600 range from Komatsu but this is the first time we have used the boom and bucket combination for a wet-dig application. We are very pleased with the results.”

Like all Komatsu excavators in the dash-6 range, the PC600-6 offers power, speed and control to ensure excellent productivity. The turbo-charged and intercooled engine delivers 385 HP, is fuel efficient and meets all current emissions and noise standards.  Attention has also been paid to ergonomics with driver comfort integral to the cab design.  It features generous leg and headroom for the operator, as well as a large space to store personal belongings behind the seat. Excellent all-round visibility is provided by large panoramic windows and a wide opening roof hatch.

The Hydraumind system allows smooth, precise movement of the boom and arm, while the dedicated counterweights ensure a stable base machine – vital in long reach applications such as the excavator operating at Shobdon.

The sand and gravel excavated from Shobdon is used in a wide variety of applications, from local Herefordshire construction markets to customers throughout Tarmac Western’s area which extends into Wales, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Shropshire.

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