New Doosan DX140LC for Scottish contractor
Doosan reliability and Scotia back-up key to purchasing decision for A&L McCrae Contractors
A&L McCrae Contractors, based in Argyll, Scotland, have taken delivery of a new Doosan DX140LC 14-tonne crawler excavator from Coatbridge-based Scotia Plant Ltd, the authorized Doosan and Bobcat dealer for the central belt of Scotland. This is the fifth Doosan excavator supplied by Scotia Plant to be added to the McCrae fleet.
According to A&L McCrae Contractors, the reliability and high productivity of the Doosan excavators combined with the excellent support provided by Scotia Plant were the key factors in the purchase decision.
Regularly working 12 hours a day for five or six days a week, the dependable performance of the Doosan excavators is crucial for the contracts being carried out by the company, especially in the isolated locations in which many of them take place.
Tasks include anything from providing new build and maintenance for forestry roads; contract crushing and screening, including blasting, crushing and stockpiling on site; bulk earthmoving; marine works; civil engineering; pier construction; stone wall construction; and aggregate supply.
Calum McCrae of A&L McCrae Contractors, said: ‘All of our operators prefer the Doosan machines because they are the most comfortable, reliable and productive excavators they have used. We work in some very isolated locations in some harsh conditions, so the excavators have to be up to the job.
‘Wherever we are, Scotia Plant provide excellent back-up – even if we have a problem late in the afternoon, one of their engineers is on site by 7.00am the next morning. They also provide modifications to our machines, such as cushioned breaker guards, to minimize damage from chips from the hard rock we are working on, and special joystick switches for the windscreen wipers, so that we don’t have to take our hands off the joysticks.
‘They also fit a full LED lighting package, Bluetooth integration and CB radio systems for communication with the dumptrucks. These all add together to increase comfort, productivity and safety.’
Powered by the Doosan DL06 diesel engine providing 71kW (95hp) at 1,850 rev/min, the DX140LC excavator has a maximum digging depth of 5,645mm, a dump height of 8,675mm and a maximum digging reach of 8,300mm.
The six-cylinder Doosan engine and e-EPOS operating system provide optimum productivity, controllability and fuel economy. Weight balance is optimized to achieve higher lifting capacity and breakout force, while the class-leading ROPS cab offers high levels of comfort and excellent all-round visibility.
The new DX140LC excavator has joined a number of other Doosan models in the fleet operated by A&L McCrae Contractors.
Alistair McCrae added: 'We are currently working on a project for forestry roads where a 30-tonne Doosan DX300LC excavator is being used in a nearby quarry for primary breaking of rock and a Doosan DX225LC 20 tonner is being used to load the crushing plant. After crushing, the aggregate is taken to the road site, where the new DX140LC excavator is being used to level and grade the stone.’
A&L McCrae Contractors have been established for more than 30 years in the Argyll area. As well as contracting services, the company also owns and operates Barrachander Quarry in Taynuilt, which supplies high-quality aggregates in a wide range of sizes and grades.
