McRobbie Dowling runs multiple quarry operations where andesite, a rock of volcanic origin, is produced. To deliver premium end products the company relies on equipment that can cope with the tough conditions in the quarries.
“High quality is the main principle in all our business activities,” John Meekin, general manager at McRobbie Dowling, said. “We work with Liebherr excavators and wheel loaders because this is one of our ways to demonstrate how serious we are about quality.”
{{image2-a:r-w:200}}In two quarry operations, multiple Liebherr excavators and wheel loaders are working in 10-hour shifts.
In the first quarry, an L 576 wheel loader is loading and stockpiling material while the R 934 crawler excavator loads the crusher.
In the second quarry two wheel loaders, an L 576 and an L 580, load trucks and stockpile material as well. The company’s latest investment, a Stage IIIB/Tier 4i compliant Liebherr R 936 crawler excavator can also be found in that quarry, carrying out similar tasks to the R 934.
“In the daily work we are enjoying the benefits associated with the Liebherr brand,” Meekin said. “Our wheel loaders and excavators perform reliably and we are impressed by their efficient hydrostatic drivelines and their smart and rugged designs. With our wheel loaders, we’ve realised remarkable fuel savings and increased our productivity.
“As a result of our positive experiences with both the wheel loaders and the excavator, we decided to purchase our fifth Liebherr machine – our new R 936, which already plays a key role in the quarry, loading the main crusher with blasted rock.”
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160 tonnes per hour
A particular challenge for the two Liebherr excavators in McRobbie Dowling’s quarry operations is the unstable loading platform. Furthermore, it is difficult to fill the bucket properly at reach with the bulky rocks.
“Despite these hard circumstances, our operators are satisfied with our excavators,” Meekin said. “The machine stability is outstanding and our operators feel safe. Owing to the well-matched components and hydraulic functions, our operators can also work smoothly and comfortably.”
The R 936 crawler excavator has an environmentally friendly Stage IIIB/Tier 4i engine with 170kW power, achieving this standard by way of a diesel particle filter.
Depending on the configuration, it has an operating weight between 30 and 35 tonnes. The R 936 at McRobbie Dowling is equipped with a 6.05m monoboom and a 3.1m stick.
“This configuration ideally meets our requirements,” Meekin said of the R 936.
“It handles up to 160 tonnes per hour. The crusher is being constantly fed with raw material and the production process remains stable. Moreover, our operators appreciate the pleasant working conditions in the safe cabin with rollover protective structure.”
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More productivity
McRobbie Dowling’s purchasing decision was significantly influenced by the supplier’s reputation for service quality.
“Our wheel loaders set standards when it comes to reliability,” Meekin said. “The steel structures and all the components match with our understanding of quality. But all that technology counts for nothing if nobody helps you when you are in trouble. We have to avoid downtime to remain successful in this competitive business.
“However, with Liebherr, we have fixed cost service contracts in place, which are very cost-effective but more importantly ensure that we maximise our ‘up-time’.
“The after-sales service is very good and in case of emergency the Liebherr service team is well-approachable and ready to help.
“Besides the low fuel consumption, the smart design is a further asset of our wheel loaders.”
On Liebherr’s mid-sized and large wheel loaders, heavy components such as the engine are installed at the rear of the machine. This allows higher tipping loads at low operating weight because the diesel engine and the variable displacement pumps act as a counterweight. This increases productivity, because larger buckets can be used, thanks to the higher tipping load.
Moreover, the compact design improves visibility in all directions and increases the safety around the wheel loader.
Source: Liebherr Australia
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