Cardigan Sand & Gravel purchase Cat 966K XE wheel loader

Aggregates supplier becomes first company in Wales to purchase new wheel loader model

CARDIGAN Sand and Gravel Co. Ltd have taken delivery of a Caterpillar 966K XE wheel loader from Finning UK, to help with the production of washed, graded and land-won sand at their processing facility in Ceredigion, Mid Wales.

The fuel savings offered by the Cat 966K XE were noticed by Mark Jones, quarry supervisor, who first became aware of the payback potential after reading about the success of Cloburn Quarry’s purchase of a Cat 966K XE.

Mike McGee, director at Cardigan Sand and Gravel, commented: ‘I first became aware of the Cat 966K XE when reading about the fuel savings achieved during a competitor comparison test at Cloburn Quarry in Scotland, and saw the cost-saving potential that the machine could offer our company. When we purchase any equipment, we do so with a view to operating the machine through its entire lifespan.

‘Finning have presented us with a solution that not only offers huge payback potential, but also allows us to save money on operating costs without losing any of the machine’s power. We have always operated a predominant Cat machinery fleet simply because of the high build quality they offer, as that is what is required for working in a harsh environment such as quarrying.’

According to Finning, the Cat 966K XE wheel loader is equipped with an advanced powertrain that optimizes the performance of the machine at low engine speeds and, subsequently, uses up to 25% less fuel than conventional equivalents.

Iwan Jenkins, territory sales representative for Finning, said: ‘More customers are looking at ways to save money in fleet management so it is imperative that we offer the best advice to achieve their operational needs. The Cat 966K XE was recommended because not only does it offer substantial fuel savings, but it also has a class-leading working environment and a simple and intuitive operator interface.

‘The integral load monitoring and recording specified provides production information which is automatically uploaded to a dedicated Finsight team at Finning’s head office, using telematic information transmitted by the machine. This information is then used to foresee and prevent any problems before they occur. The machine will also benefit from an extended warranty and a long-term maintenance agreement, giving Cardigan Sand & Gravel added peace of mind.’