Following the successful use of the Caterpillar Fleet Production and Cost Analysis service, Finning, the UK supplier of Caterpillar equipment, has sealed a deal for two new Cat 770 Off Highway trucks with specialist plant hirer, Chepstow Plant International Ltd.
Having approached Finning for a long-term hire solution for one of its quarry customers, experts at Finning were able to use the Fleet Production and Cost Analysis (FPC) service to identify the right equipment. By incorporating a theoretical and physical study, data from the FPC service was shared with Chepstow Plant International Ltd to make the right equipment selection for its customer.
As part of the FPC process, Finning implement a 10/10/20 policy, this establishes an optimum payload for the machine. The policy highlights the hidden issue that 90% of the time; a machine is running 10% under its full payload, yet for 10% of the time you can run the machine 20% over its average payload. By focusing on preventing this under and over loading activity, unnecessary wear on the machine and the additional cost per tonne associated with this, is reduced significantly, benefiting the customer.
Commenting on the use of FPC, Finning key account manager, Matt Jennings said: “Safety on haul roads is an extremely important issue for quarry managers, with falling debris due to truck over loading causing damage to both the haul road and tyres. This is why FPC analysis is so important, as it not only lowers customers running costs, it also helps to highlight the benefits of adopting best practice techniques, whilst ensuring a reduction in maintenance requirements, and expensive tyre replacement bills.”
Delivered to a quarry in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, the two Cat 770 Off Highway trucks have already become a hit with the company’s quarry customer, as John Corcoran, Managing Director of Chepstow Plant International Ltd comments: “There are numerous benefits for a customer using a new piece of equipment like the Cat 770, especially when you take the time to make sure the productivity and capabilities of the truck match the existing fleet and quarry needs. From a business point of view, by investing in new equipment we are also maintaining our commitment to equipment up time, whilst keeping our customers costs as low as possible.”
Focusing on the first stages of the deal with Finning, John said: “Productivity is extremely important for our customers and with the performance analysis offered by Finning we have been able to ensure that our new purchases are the best machines for the job. We have traditionally run Cat 771’s, which have proved very reliable, but with the results shown to us by Matt Jennings, our Finning account manager, we now know that the new Cat 770’s can offer us much more. We are also particularly pleased with the improvements that Caterpillar have built into the new series.”
“These improvements include much better service access and an increase in the service interval to 500 hours. As we maintain our own fleet, this is a welcome benefit, allowing us to free up more of our service engineers time to work on other equipment in our fleet. Where needed, we also have access to the Finning support network which means that we have the added reassurance of specialist and efficient back up if we require it.”
Developed specifically for the construction and quarrying industry, the Caterpillar 770 Off Highway truck not only reduces the cost per tonne per litre it also successfully eradicates the demand for a skilled operator as it is simple and easy to operate. The new Cat 770 has been designed to provide both a spacious and ergonomic centrally mounted operator cab, with all controls positioned to maximise productivity and minimise operator fatigue. In the potentially hazardous surroundings of a quarry, visibility is key; the Caterpillar 770 Off-Highway truck boasts 52% more glass, ensuring that the operator is both confident and secure when manoeuvring the machine around the quarry.
Adding his thoughts on Chepstow Plant International Ltd’s purchase, Finning’s Matt Jennings said: “In todays diverse market, it is important that plant hirers focus on the demands and requirements of the customer, not only from an equipment point of view, but also taking into consideration the benefits offered by access to additional expertise and systems like our FPC.
“For example, the new Cat 770 has maintenance points at either ground or platform level and thanks to the addition of a new service panel, built into the front of the machine, access to the engine and key parts will never be a problem for the Chepstow Plant International Ltd’s engineers.”