Special solution for a special task
Komatsu PC700 hydraulic excavator with special boom conversion excels in raw gravel extraction
WHEN German construction company Kann GmbH Baustoffwerke required a customized hydraulic excavator to extract gravel from deep underwater deposits, Komatsu’s PC700LC-11E0, equipped with a long boom and 3D machine guidance, proved to be the ideal solution. The excavator has significantly increased productivity and safety at the Kann site, surpassing its target production of 1,000 tonnes of gravel per shift.
The production of concrete products is the core business of Kann GmbH Baustoffwerke, a family business founded in 1927 with 18 locations throughout Germany. The company obtains some of the raw materials it processes itself, with around 500,000 tonnes of raw gravel extracted annually at its site in Mülheim-Kärlich. The most recent challenge at this site was the replacement of its more than 40-year-old scraper bucket.
The special nature of the excavation area, with gravel deposits up to 12m below the water surface, places high demands on the successor machine, which is required to handle both the excavation and loading of the raw gravel. In the end, Komatsu sales partners BRR Baumaschinen Rhein-Ruhr offered a customized PC700LC-11E0 hydraulic excavator that was well suited to the application.
The basic machine, including the lifting cylinders from the Komatsu factory in England, provides the necessary stability and lifting power. The steel construction of the boom and arm was customized by a third-party supplier so that the required length can be achieved when digging to reach the gravel deep below the waterline. The excavator also has a hydraulic ditching bucket and is equipped with GPS and Smart Construction 3D Machine Guidance. Due to its underwater use, BRR’s subsidiary AP Deutschland installed a special solution to protect the sensors and connections.
‘The bucket’s movement options save us a lot of time, as we don’t have to constantly move the excavator, and it can work from the same spot. We currently only need to move it about once per shift,’ said technical manager Frank Hergenroether. ‘Another advantage of the excavator is that it is still very mobile despite its size. This is not only relevant in this gravel pit, but also for the future, when the machine changes extraction area, as these areas are becoming ever smaller and more urbanized,’ continued Mr Hergenroether.
The Komatsu PC700LC-11E0, which has been in operation with Kann since April 2024, is expected to produce 250,000 tonnes per year.
‘The decisive factor in our decision to purchase the Komatsu hydraulic excavator was that, despite its length, the boom does not rest on the chassis to achieve the required depth, does not dig up the ground itself, and can also maintain a safe distance from the bank. In addition, BRR were competent partners right from the start, understanding and realizing our requirements,’ explained Mr Hergenroether.
Machine operator René Münch sees further advantages: ‘The lifting power speaks for itself. In addition, the comfort during operation is impressive thanks to the superior cab suspension and low noise level. Overall, the machine is very clear, tidy, and intuitive to operate. Within a very short time, all machine operators were trained to work safely on the excavator and were ready for action.’
He added: ‘The length of the arm and how quickly we were able to achieve the required performance was surprising. The target of being able to extract at least 1,000 tonnes of gravel per shift has already been exceeded.’
‘This is also thanks to the detailed on-site instruction and training provided by BRR and Komatsu on delivery,’ added plant manager Andreas Müller. ‘The increasing performance curve of the employees with the new PC700LC-11E0 is clearly visible.’
