JCB at home in quarrying environment
Thomas Armstrong (Aggregates) Ltd have purchased a range of JCB excavators and loading shovels over the past 20 years for operation at their two sand and gravel quarries as well as their aggregates recycling site.
The company, based in Maryport, Cumbria, were consulted on the development of the JCB 456 loading shovel and tested some of the prototype machines. Having purchased two 456s last year, they have another one on order, bringing their fleet to six. At present the machines undertake most of their work in the sand and gravel quarries. One 456 machine operates at the quarry face while the others are used on feeding, loading and stockpiling duties.
The latest 456 machines feature Smoothshift transmission which provides additional tractive effort, smooth and stepless gear changes, smooth directional changes even from full-speed forward to reverse, a reduction in hydraulic cycle time, and an increase in breakout force.
