Two new Case 821 F XR wheel loaders and a TX130-45 telehandler are being used by R Plevin & Sons at its Elkesley processing plant.
The plant collects, processes and distributes more than 600,000 tonnes of wood a year for biomass fuel, composite wood products and animal bedding. The three machines are used to handle wood waste coming into the plant as well as processed fibre stockpiled at the site. Working two shifts per day, sometimes six days a week, in dry, dusty environments, the machines were chosen primarily for their durability, productivity and fuel efficiency.
The Case 821 FXR wheel loader is one of three F-Series loaders introduced last year. Equipped with a 6.7 litre Tier 4 interim certified diesel engine, the F Series loaders offer increased horsepower and torque output, with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to meet latest emissions regulations. The high lift arm machines are fitted with 8 cubic metre High Tip buckets.
“The two 821F XR loading shovels are working two shifts from 6 o’clock in the morning to 10 o’clock at night over five days and sometimes six,” said Plevins group engineering director Dean Ashton. “I look at having the least machines as possible and having them work as long as they can” he adds.
Plevins previously had a policy of running a Volvo-only fleet. “We looked at every factor and came to the conclusion that Case was our best option for fuel returns, loading capability, manoeuvrability and durability” said Mr Ashton.
“Wood recycling business is highly specialised”, explains Mr Ashton. “We went through the spec in detail with [local Case dealer] Warwick Ward and they met that spec, met delivery times and have been extremely supportive at all stages.”
Another deciding factor for Plevins was the rear-mounted engine on the Case machines. “This meant the weight distribution was better and they don’t have to carry a big counterbalance weight,” said Mr Ashton.
“We expected the operators to be a bit of a stumbling block, having used the same machines for past 20 years, but they were very quickly on board,” he adds. “They were impressed with the better visibility and overall performance, especially when pushing the stockpiles and loading high sided vehicles.”
Furthermore, with the cooling system positioned behind the cab, there is also less risk of the engines overheating in the very dusty environment in which the machines work, Mr Ashton said. “The cooling elements remain clear and the operators don’t have to keep stopping work to clean the radiators as they did with the traditional machines.”
The new TX130-45 telehandler, with 13m telescopic boom, is undertaking general duties about the site. “The telehandler is ideal for our bulk low-density material. We put a large 4 cubic metre bucket on it to deal with chipping operations and we can use it for loading high-sided vehicles if ever one of the loading shovels were unavailable” said Mr Ashton.
Since taking delivery of the three vehicles late last year, Plevins reckons it has noticed a dramatic drop in fuel consumption at the site. “We’re using far less fuel with the new Case products than we traditionally have,” Mr Ashton says.
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