Middle East Report DPC
improve handling. This was essential heavily modified for the specialised in from different parts of the world
to ensure that all-important precision work they’re required to do – dump and making essential modifications.
when placing concrete blocks under trucks, for example, typically have Within its range of equipment, Abeko
water. In addition to the Digmaster, Hardox bodies, excavators are fitted noted “there’s no such thing as a
some of these excavators feature a sonar with additional counterweights and ‘standard’ machine”. Almost every
radar system to provide the operator electrical circuits are protected from the piece of equipment has been extensively
with an underwater view. harsh environment. modified to meet the challenging
For the final stages of the work, all The work’s demanding and the work, typically including wider,
available equipment is being put to conditions tough for both men and longer undercarriages on excavators
use. Kobelco CKE 800 crawler cranes machines. With tight deadlines to meet, for increased stability and additional
with 80t lifting capacity have been Abeko was charged with ensuring that counterweights to facilitate handling of
working alongside 130t Hitachi ZX870 Van Oord and the JV had the most large, heavy rocks and precast elements.
excavators to place the antifers as appropriate and reliable equipment Different boom configurations are
quickly as possible. These are delivered available and that the operators had the used and booms adapted for special
in a continuous flow from a nearby necessary skills to work with advanced applications. It also fully equips its
stockpile by Cat 988H wheel-loaders technology in placing the materials. And self-propelled jack-up barges to enable
with front-end handlers. to guarantee reliability, servicing had to extended operations offshore to
Caterpillar articulated dump trucks be a priority. As the machines were on maximise available time.
and rigid dump trucks are being used to call almost continuously, its scheduling
haul the final batches of armour rock was critical.
from the stockpile. Highway trucks Abeko built a fully equipped
bring material to the stockpile, where a workshop staffed by 10 full-time
Komatsu PC 600 is the primary loader. engineers and two full-time site/ A Kobelco CKE 800
workshop supervisors – a necessity to crawler crane places
TOUGH CONDITIONS ensure that round-the-clock coverage. antifer blocks
Despite its central location, the And to prevent any delay in servicing
project’s scale means that haul distances and repairing the equipment, over
can be several kilometres. While there €1.5M-worth of spare parts were kept
are no gradients, the travel distances, on site at all times.
extreme heat, humidity and dust ensure
very tough conditions for the machines, FINALLY…
the operators and workers. Projects of this kind, which require
Abeko’s specially configured machines specialised equipment, involve many
(see box) work with a variety of Beco months of planning. From the earliest
grabs and Krupp hammers (up to the possible time – even at pre-tender stage
Krupp 7000 model), with additional – Abeko works with contractors to
excavators and other equipment devise the most cost-effective solution
being brought in as required from the so that equipment is of a size and
company’s 150-strong fleet. configuration that will allow the project
Equipment available includes multi- to be delivered on time.
purpose self-propelled spud barges, That can mean shipping equipment
heavy-duty tracked excavators, wheeled
excavators up to 75t, wheeled loaders
up to 90t, multidockers, bulldozers,
articulated dump trucks and remote-
controlled tracked loaders.
Many of the machines have been
Rock armour’s
delivered by Cat
ADTs for placement
by Hitachi ZX8703
excavators
www.dpcmagazine.com 47 D R E D G I N G A N D P O RT C O N S T R U C T I O N A P R I L 2 0 0 9
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