DSM take ownership of huge bespoke Caterpillar excavator
Company purchases new Cat 6015B demolition-spec excavator in first UK collaboration
DEMOLITION specialists DSM have collaborated with Finning, Cat OEM Solutions and Kocurek to build what they say is the ‘tallest and most versatile, high-reach excavator in the UK’, topping out at 70m.
Designed to operate in three different machine configurations, the Caterpillar 6015B demolition-spec unit (in its 70m configuration) boasts superior tool carrying capability, including attachments weighing a maximum 2,500kg.
However, by reducing the boom size, the machine can operate a 7,000kg attachment at up to 38m, at the same 225 tonne weight. The excavator’s 32m configuration increases the weight to a 230-tonne unit with the capability to use a 12,000kg attachment.
According to Finning, this has all been made possible due to extensive design changes and bespoke engineered components. These include: lengthened track frames; the addition of a hydraulically extending undercarriage; and the modification to four hoist cylinders.
To turn the machine into a typical demolition specification, a tilting cab with complete FOPS guarding has been added, with full machine walkways for access and safety. The additional of a counterweight, including a bespoke removal mechanism to allow it to be stored onto the trailer, completes the main machine changes.
Bespoke booms have been specially designed to support the three different configurations. By having an interchangeable combination, including intermediate booms, dippers and triple articulating booms, each configuration could be set up on site by a team from the trailer.
‘This project is what true industry collaboration is all about. What we really wanted was to create a step change for the industry,’ said DSM director Des Kelly. ‘Our vision was to invest in a much more versatile machine, that could cope with both high-reach demolition and very heavy-duty hammer or processor work, to speed up the clearance of a site for our customers.’
DSM are delighted with the outcome of the collaborative project as they now have a machine that has safety and versatility built into its design. Mr Kelly continued: ‘This allows us to sit one unit on a project that can take down a high structure, reconfiguring itself once the high rise work is done to speed up the demolition process and then reconfiguring itself again to complete the below the ground works using heavy duty hammers.’
Looking ahead, Mr Kelly is clearly excited by the new Cat 6015B and what it will bring to the UK demolition sector. He said: ‘With the backup and service capabilities of both Finning and Kocurek supporting us, I am confident we will be able to safely speed up the demolition process for projects up and down the country. All with the ultimate goal of getting our customers on site faster.’
