Case Study: BA Equipment’s Innovative Solution for Heritage-Sensitive Trench Excavation
Client Background
Rebecca Lincoln, Plant Manager of Rokon, approached BA Equipment seeking a unique solution for excavating a trench without disturbing a heritage-listed wall situated in close proximity to the required trench location.
Traditional methods, including hydraulic breakers, vibratory rippers (best suited to soft fractured rock), and drill / blast were deemed unsuitable due to the delicate nature of the wall and the unpredictable ground conditions.
The Challenge
Rokon faced the challenge of excavating a trench in an area where preserving a nearby heritage-listed wall was paramount.
Additionally, the ground conditions varied significantly, ranging from the size of the rock buried beneath the top soft layer and the rock hardness, complicating the excavation process further.
Solution
BA Equipment’s expert team conducted a thorough assessment and recommended an innovative solution: utilizing an Erkat Drum cutter. Recognising the need for precision and adaptability to diverse ground conditions, the Erkat ER2000 Drum cutter fitted with the factory designed and built dust suppression emerged as the ideal tool for the job. Selecting the unit with the dust suppression allowed Rokon to keep the dust under control better protecting their team and the heritage-listed wall. Confident in their recommendation, BA Equipment swiftly arranged for one of their hire units to be transported from their extensive network of locations across Australia to Rokon’s site for an immediate start.
Quotes from Rebecca Lincoln:
“I found during the works we carried out the drum cutter far exceeded our expectations. With the 15m prohibition restriction of vibratory hydraulic breakers, we decided to try this attachment to cut through a 15 to 20-meter long trench of highly abrasive and naturally spongey basalt rock.”
“Discussions with the lead engineer on the job Kevin Raj, he mentioned that the attachment well suited the application, and we were able to complete the works earlier than anticipated. We also used fewer teeth than allowed for based on the nature of the ground works we were faced with. With the assistance and help of the BA team, our operator who had minimal experience with this type of attachment was able to get through the task quite seamlessly and efficiently.”
Outcome
The implementation of the high cutting torque and low vibration Erkat Drum cutter proved to be an outstanding success. Rebecca Lincoln and the Rokon team were delighted with the efficiency and effectiveness of BA Equipment’s selection. The project progressed seamlessly, achieving excavation across various ground conditions (ranging from the size of the rock buried beneath the top soft layer and the rock hardness) ahead of schedule.
Moreover, the meticulous use of the Erkat Drum cutter ensured that the heritage-listed wall remained intact and unharmed throughout the trench excavation process, meeting the critical preservation requirement.
Conclusion
BA Equipment’s swift identification of the Erkat Drum cutter as the optimal solution, coupled with their prompt action in arranging its on-site trial, underscored their commitment to delivering innovative and tailored solutions. The successful completion of the project ahead of schedule and without any impact on the heritage-listed wall highlighted BA Equipment’s expertise in addressing unique challenges with precision and efficiency.
This case study exemplifies BA Equipment’s ability to offer innovative equipment solutions, ensuring project success even in the most complex and sensitive environments.