New Doosan DL580-5 for Creeton Quarry

UK’s first top-of-the-range wheel loader boosts productivity at Lincolnshire limestone quarry

CREETON Quarry, 10 miles north of Stamford, in Lincolnshire, has purchased the UK’s first top-of-the-range Doosan DL580-5 wheel loader. The DL580-5 was supplied and is supported by Doosan dealers Filtermech Plant Sales Ltd, based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. Equipped with a 6.2 cubic metre quick hitch mounted bucket, the DL580-5 is providing a significant increase in productivity for material-handling applications around the quarry. 

Quarry manager Steve Johnson said: ‘We have an existing Doosan DL550-5 wheel loader but I felt the new DL580-5 would provide us with a substantial boost to our output. With its ability to scoop-up up to 10 tonnes of material in every bucket full, the DL580-5 allows us to fill customer lorries with just two buckets rather than three, and our articulated dumptrucks (ADTs) with just three buckets instead of four.

‘We are a very busy quarry, producing on average about 4,000 tonnes of material a day, so over a full day this really adds up, ensuring we have increased productivity at the same time as increasing our  speed of response, lowering fuel costs and reducing the cost per tonne of the materials we produce.’

To take on heavier material-handling jobs, the DL580-5 has a similar look to the existing DL550-5 model but features robust structural components and an advanced double-circuit axle-cooling system suitable for heavier work, including block lifting in quarries and mines, but also heavy-duty applications in industrial, construction and recycling operations.

To meet these requirements, the DL580-5 has an operating weight of 36,030kg and higher static tipping loads (straight and full turn 40°) of 29,700kg and 26,200kg respectively, whilst he overall size of the DL580-5 is almost the same as the DL550-5. 

Steve Johnson said: ‘Supporting the excellent performance of the Doosan machines we have in the quarry, the role of Filtermech and John Bird, their heavy line sales manager for Doosan equipment, cannot be underestimated. We have received top-class service from both Filtermech and Doosan, ensuring there is minimal downtime on any of the machines.’

The new DL580-5 has joined a fleet of Doosan equipment at Creeton Quarry, including a 40-tonne DX380LC-5 crawler excavator, a 43-tonne DX420LC-5 and a 53-tonne DX530LC-5, all purchased in the last two years and supported by Filtermech. The quarry also has two Doosan MT41 ADTs dating from 2009 and 2010.

To ensure the highest possible safety levels when using the new DL580-5, Steve Johnson has ensured that it is equipped with an extra bar of LED white flashing safety lights on the front of the machine with red flashing lights on the back and a full flashing blue light and klaxon for use when the machine is being reversed. The loader also has three-point seat belts for the operator.

Mr Johnson continued: ‘I often drive the machines in the quarry myself, so I have built up a good working knowledge of them. We are all in constant communication by radio, so my operators can discuss work schedules with me and I can hand on what I know to them. All of our drivers find the Doosan machines comfortable to work on.’  

All the Doosan equipment at Creeton Quarry is equipped with the DoosanCONNECT fleet-management system. This allows Mr Johnson to keep an eye on the utilization and fuel economy of each of the machines so that the quarry has a precise idea of the cost per tonne produced.

The DoosanCONNECT system is designed to increase efficiency in site management and equipment operation through real-time data monitoring to check the engine and hydraulic system parts of Doosan machines and other construction equipment, and to provide information, mapping and visuals on their location and availability. Doosan customers receive a monthly report on equipment operations to ensure efficient equipment deployment with detailed information on service hours and fuel consumption, and timely responses to filter and oil replacement. 

The DL580-5 is powered by a Scania DC13 6-cylinder engine, which produces 283kW (380hp) of power at 1,800 rev/min. Providing a maximum torque of 1,765Nm at 1,300 rev/min and up to a 10% reduction in fuel consumption, the DC13 engine meets Stage IV emission regulations without the need of a diesel particulate filter (DPF), through the use of cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and selective catalyst reduction (SCR) after-treatment technologies.