As a founding company of the CRH Group, a leading diversified international building materials group, Roadstone has enjoyed a long and successful relationship with Komatsu’s Irish distributor McHale Plant Sales, who recently supplied the machines, along with a Komatsu WA800-8 wheel loader, to the Belgard Quarry site which also serves as Roadstone’s business operation headquarters.
Roadstone manufactures and distributes a wide range of construction products including ready-mix concrete, aggregates, asphalt and macadam, mortar and plaster, concrete blocks and masonry, paving products, roof tiles and agricultural lime. They also provide an asphalt contracting service for commercial, domestic and local authority road projects.
Over the past year, around 10 new Komatsu wheel loaders and rigid dump trucks have been delivered by McHale Plant Sales to various Roadstone locations around the country.
These latest additions at Belgard Quarry replace a number of older machines at the site which produces some 2.5 million tonnes of limestone annually.
"KOMATSU MACHINES ARE VERY FUEL EFFICIENT WHICH CAN BE A BIG DECIDING FACTOR"
Reliable & Efficient
Ciaran Greenan, Roadstone’s National Development Manager, says that operating an integrated plant on site makes it very important that they have reliable equipment to feed the downstream processes at the quarry. “The Komatsu wheel loader and rigid dump trucks are living up to our expectations. The drivers are very happy with the machines which are proving to be robust, reliable and efficient.”
When Awesome Earthmovers visited the Belgard Quarry we were able to see the machines earning their keep, along with other recent additions to the Roadstone fleet, including a WA475 wheel loader and an HB365 excavator.
The Komatsu WA800-8, designed for maximum operating comfort, stability and safety, features a modulation clutch which gives the operator precise control over the amount of power delivered to the wheels, allowing for a smooth and controlled approach when loading trucks.
It also has variable traction control that automatically adjusts to different ground conditions to prevent wheel slippage and maximise traction, which can reduce tyre wear and maintenance costs, while an auto kick down feature automatically engages a lower gear when needed to provide more power and torque, similar to how a driver might use the kick-down function in a car, leading to better penetration and faster cycle times.
In addition, the WA800-8’s throttle lock function allows the operator to set a desired engine speed and maintain it, ensuring consistent speeds and smooth operation when approaching and loading trucks. With an extra-large 13.5 m³ bucket and a 115 tonnes operating weight, the WA800-8allows for 20,700 kg rated load capacity in a standard boom configuration.
The cab, too, has been designed with the operator in mind. Sound insulation and a quieter engine keep noise levels low and help the operator stay focused and safe – and a fully adjustable seat, air-suspended, heated and ventilated, with an adjustable bolster and integrated standard EPC levers, also makes life on the jobsite easier.
The right-hand side console is integrated in the seat and switches and bluetooth radio are easily accessible on the overhead console, while its five network cameras create a bird’s-eye view of the immediate surroundings on a dedicated monitor. An extra rear-view camera sends a colour image with a distance indicator line on the cab monitor, and catwalks and handrails offer additional safety for operational and servicing purposes.
Operator Ray McAndrew, who has been working in the quarry sector for around 10 years on a variety of different machines, was full of praise for the Komatsu WA800-8’s power and efficiency, adding: "With my new machine, I can load up to 65 tonnes in three easy passes, whereas with my previous machine it often took a full three passes to reach that capacity. This makes work smoother, especially on tight digs where it’s hard to fully fill the bucket."
Ray, who previously had his own plant hire business, has years of experience on building sites working on smaller 13 tonne and 20 tonne excavators before moving into the quarry industry and on to bigger machines like the Komatsu WA800-8 which, he says, has a comfortable cab that provides him with a spacious working environment. “All the controls are within easy reach of the seat and there is lots of storage space. It’s also easy to clean at the end of the day.”
Fuel Saving Technologies
Also playing an integral role at the Belgard Quarry are the three Komatsu HD605-10 rigid dump trucks, boasting enhanced engine power and torque, along with cutting-edge fuel-saving technologies, and an expanded load capacity up to 64 tonnes.
The dump trucks are equipped with a powerful 610 kW Stage V engine, and offer three selectable modes -Economy, Economy Light, and Power - to match various applications. Safety features include a comprehensive LED lighting system for improved visibility, illuminated stair walkways for safe access to the operator cab, and a brake performance check system to verify brake functionality before operation.
Ray McAndrew Operator Roadstone Ltd.
The machines also have an external seat belt reminder lamp outside the cab and high-performance retarder brakes for enhanced safety during operation, even on steep downhill slopes. Other operator comfort features include hill start assist and cruise control.
Total Cost of Ownership
The three HD605-10 rigid dump trucks and the WA800-8wheel loader were acquired by Roadstone through a strict tendering process which took into consideration Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), including efficiency, reliability, fuel consumption, repair and maintenance and distributor back-up and support.
“We were very happy to win the tendering process,” says McHale Plant Sales’ Marketing Manager Sean Ryan,” to continue our successful relationship with Roadstone. Not everything is based on the initial cost of the equipment but on being able to offer an overall attractive package which we were able to do.
“Komatsu machines are very fuel efficient which can be a big deciding factor. Fuel consumption can be a huge expense for operators of heavy equipment. A fuel efficient machine like Komatsu can save thousands of pounds a year in running costs. In addition, Komatsu machines enjoy a high residual value, which is also an important bonus to consider.”
Back-Up Support & Service
Another influencing factor is the quality and dependability of the back-up support and service, which clearly attracted Roadstone. “The team at McHale Plant Sales is very responsive to our needs. Their back-up service is excellent,” says Ciaran Greenan from Roadstone who operate a number of other recently purchased Komatsu WA600 wheel loader and HD605 dump trucks which are working at various company sites throughout the country.
Headquartered in the mid-west village of Birdhill, near Limerick, and on the east coast at Rathcoole, in close proximity to Dublin, McHale Plant Sales has a footprint that extends the length of Ireland, north and south.
Supported by one of the largest teams of expert mobile technicians and service specialists in the country, customers like Roadstone are rarely more than a short time away when back-up is required. “We look after all the servicing and maintenance of the Komatsu machines at the Belgard Quarry from our Rathcoole depot which is just 10 minutes away, so needed assistance can be on site without delay, minimising any possible potential for downtime,” says Sean Ryan.