Case excavators go to work at German basalt quarries
Company sees strong demand for its new CX750D excavator in western Germany
TWO Case Construction Equipment customers based in the Eifel region of western Germany are among the first to experience working with the new CX750D crawler excavator in their operations.
The CX750D, the largest and most powerful machine in the Case range to date, has been designed to deliver faster cycle times and maximum productivity in the most demanding mining, heavy construction and earthmoving applications.
Mineral operators Backes Bau- und Transporte GmbH chose a CX750D machine in mass excavation configuration for their Dockweiler basalt quarry. ‘The material is extremely hard and it takes considerable strength to break and crush it,’ said spokesman Thomas Backes. ‘For this reason, when we choose an excavator the hydraulic power and breaking force are of importance.’
The CX750D ME – which features a shorter boom and arm for greater breakout force – has so far delivered more than 300 hours of operation at the basalt quarry. Mr Backes said he is very satisfied with his earlier CX700B model, which has delivered an annual output of 250,000 tonnes without a failure since its purchase in 2011.
‘We expect the CX750D ME to deliver a comparably consistent performance as our CX700B over the long term,’ he commented ‘And, just like its predecessor, we expect this 75-tonne excavator to achieve a similar flow rate as a 100-tonne unit.’
Bierbrauer und Sohn GmbH approached the purchase of their new CX750D with different requirements. While it was needed primarily for their quarry in Ettringen, it would also be used in earthmoving, materials-handling and demolition works.
The quarry operator also plans to offer the new excavator as a rental unit. This meant that versatility was of primary importance.
‘We wanted to use our excavator for as many different jobs as possible, so we chose the standard mono-boom with quick-coupler for use with concrete shears, hydraulic hammers and a 2.9 cubic metre heavy-duty rock bucket for the quarry,’ said Karl-Werner Bierbrauer.
As loyal Case customers, Bierbrauer say they have had very good experience with C- and D-Series machines, and the company’s fleet already includes 10 Case excavators with operating weights ranging from 28 to 37 tonnes, Case wheel loaders and Case compact equipment.
In particular, Mr Bierbrauer has been impressed by the D-Series range. ‘The machines are reliable, robust and powerful,’ he said. ‘The D-Series’ engines deliver an impressive performance and are very economical and problem free.’
