To accomplish the feat, Capricorn has utilised two Case excavators. According to the senior executive Reece Gough, the Case machines have been operating efficiently in the extreme conditions of the sandstone quarry. Capricorn bought the first excavator in 2007. This CX240B helped the company produce 10,000 tonnes of sandstone. By adding a second CX240B in 2009 it was able to double production.
Both excavators are working 12 hour shifts. One is mainly used to operate a three-metre cutting wheel for cutting sandstone. The other CX240B is used for cutting wheel and hammer work at the quarry. The pair also operates with a grab and a bucket occasionally. According to Reece, performance, fuel efficiency and a low amount of downtime are the major contributors to their success. In future the company will invest in additional Case equipment to meet its needs.
Capricorn Sandstone Quarries, situated in Stanwell, supply sandstone to the Queensland and NSW Governments, local councils and various commercial construction companies. They also export to China, South East Asia and the Middle East.
The company has been the recipient of numerous awards including Trade Queensland?s Emerging Exporter of the Year award at the Capricorn Tourism & Economic Development and Ergon Energy Business Excellence Awards. They have also received the Tom Burns Award for Emerging Exporters to China and Vietnam at the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards in Brisbane.
Source: Case Construction Equipment