Breedon Group has acquired a new Caterpillar 395 excavator to add to its Hope Cement plant fleet.
Located in Derbyshire, the Hope Cement plant is one of the largest in the UK, with a total capacity, in conjunction with the Kinnegad plant in Ireland, exceeding two million tonnes.
To support these operations, Finning UK & Ireland advised the Breedon Group on the right machine that would excel in handling intensive applications.
Breedon quarries development manager Tim Palmer said the company had been impressed by the performance of the Caterpillar 395 excavator.
“Straight away we could see that the Cat 395 was a true powerhouse of a machine. We were impressed with the higher capacity regarding bucket size, which for us means greater payloads and faster material movement,” he said.
“Durability and productivity are also key to our investment in the Cat 395. The reinforced booms, sticks and frames on this machine go a long way in ensuring reliable performance in very demanding conditions. It is also a highly productive machine thanks to increased swing torque and stick force, which enable faster cycle times and improve material handling.
“We were thrilled to be able to invest in this machine, and work with our long-term partners at Finning, who not only supported us throughout the purchase and delivery but also assisted in the acquisition of Sleipner E90 dollies a few years ago to ensure operational efficiency of the new machine.”
The next generation
The Cat 395 excavator is a 95-tonne tracked machine, making it the largest in the Caterpillar Next Generation lineup. The excavator was successfully transported from Finning UK & Ireland headquarters in Cannock to Breedon’s Hope Quarry earlier this year.
“Finning was thrilled to be able to work with Sleipner on this impressive machine for our long-standing customer Breedon,” Finning corporate account manager for mineral products Dean Turner said.
“Sleipner are the experts in transport systems that reduce track wear, fuel consumption and downtime for heavy machinery and we knew this was going to be a vital asset to Breedon to ensure this impressive machine runs at peak performance whilst on site.
“We arranged to have the machine delivered to Breedon to use alongside the Sleipner dollies. The machine was transported on both new and rebuilt Cat 775G off-highway trucks that were on site at Hope Quarry. These are impressive and fuel-efficient machines that supported the overall sustainability approach.
“The Cat 775G trucks are part of Hope Cement Works Quarry rebuild programme. The fourth truck is currently going through our Chesterfield workshop facility, undergoing a Cat Certified Powertrain and Hydraulic Rebuild. This programme underlines the company’s commitment to building a circular economy and highlights the ability of Cat machines to be rebuilt as-new, complete with five-year Powertrain/ Hydraulic warranty.
“The delivery of the machine and Sleipner dollies truly marked a collaborative effort between Finning, Sleipner and Breedon. We are thrilled to have supported Breedon in the acquisition of this machine that will go on to enhance their operations for many years to come.”
