ISSUE 14

CAT 320 AND 323F IN MALAGA

The PL542 may not be compatible with all makes and models of equipment. Please contact your Product Support representative for details. © 2017 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, BUILT FOR IT, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow,” and the “Power Edge” trade dress, aswell as corporate and product identity herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

KNOW MORE.DO MORE.EARN MORE.

The quick install Cat® PL542 telematics devicedelivers the information you need - from hoursand location to health and productivity insights.And, you can connect your mixed fleet -not only your Cat equipment. Connect yourfleet fast and start earning more!

With a 36 month, £16.50/€19 per month subscription you receive:

» A PL542 device» Free 6 months Condition Monitoring» 36 months of fleet benchmark reports

Your Finning experts are ready to show you how Cat Connect Technologies will help you make more money. 0330 123 9211 - finning.com/connect

COMPATIBLE WITH YOUR CAT OR MIXED FLEET

INSTALLS IN MINUTES

Finning P542 Poster A4_Layout 1 14/09/2017 14:22 Page 1

The PL542 may not be compatible with all makes and models of equipment. Please contact your Product Support representative for details. © 2017 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, BUILT FOR IT, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow,” and the “Power Edge” trade dress, aswell as corporate and product identity herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

KNOW MORE.DO MORE.EARN MORE.

The quick install Cat® PL542 telematics devicedelivers the information you need - from hoursand location to health and productivity insights.And, you can connect your mixed fleet -not only your Cat equipment. Connect yourfleet fast and start earning more!

With a 36 month, £16.50/€19 per month subscription you receive:

» A PL542 device» Free 6 months Condition Monitoring» 36 months of fleet benchmark reports

Your Finning experts are ready to show you how Cat Connect Technologies will help you make more money. 0330 123 9211 - finning.com/connect

COMPATIBLE WITH YOUR CAT OR MIXED FLEET

INSTALLS IN MINUTES

Finning P542 Poster A4_Layout 1 14/09/2017 14:22 Page 1

13.

13. Behind the TechnologyThe adoption of machine control technology in industry

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6. Taking a Different ViewCliffe Hill quarry site in Ellistown, Leicestershire

4. Breaking the Cat® 6015B Mould The latest Cat 6015B at White Hart Lane in London

9. Connected TourRetrofit of PL542 boxes up and down the country

10. Cat 320 and 323F in MalagaThe next generation of Cat 20 tonne excavators

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4.

CONTENTS 6.

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14. Real-time Delivery of HS2Planning the largest technologically enabled fleet seen in UK

CAT 6015B

CLIFFE HILL QUARRY

CAT TABLET GENERATION

BEHIND THE TECHNOLOGY

HS2 DELIVERY

CONNECTED TOUR

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BREAKING THE CAT® 6015B MOULD

It’s normally found in large quarries or mines, but when Finning News got the call to visit the

latest Cat 6015B, we ended up at White Hart Lane, the home of Premier League Football team, Tottenham Hotspur, to see a striker of a totally different calibre.

WHITE HART LANE, LONDON

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The bespoke Cat® 6015B is the latest and greatest player to join demolition specialist DSM’s line up, thanks to an

industry first collaboration between DSM, Finning UK & Ireland, Cat OEM Solutions and bespoke excavator specialist Kocurek. This has literally broken the original Cat 6015B mould.

The stats speak for themselves, as this machine weighs in at 225 tonnes, including an attachment weighing up to 2,500kg’s in its 70 metre configuration, delivering unrivalled tool carrying capacity and versatility that allows it to be transformed into three very different machines.

As we discovered when we met the DSM team onsite demolishing one end of White Hart Lane for a major redevelopment, by reducing the boom size, the Cat 6015B can operate a 7,000kg attachment at up to 38 metres, at the same weight. Equally impressive was its final 32 metre configuration that allows the 230 tonne unit to use a huge 12,000kg attachment, making light work of even the most challenging of demolition projects.

Speaking to DSM Director Des Kelly about the major investment in time and resources required to make the project happen, he explained: “This project is what true industry collaboration is all about. What we really wanted was to create a step change for the industry. Our vision was to invest in a much more versatile machine that could cope with both high-reach demolition, and very heavy duty hammer or processor work to speed up the

clearance of a site for our customers.“In practical terms, what we now have is a machine that has safety and versatility built into its design. This allows us to sit one unit on a project that can take down a high structure, reconfigure itself once the high-rise work is done to speed up the demolition process, and reconfigure itself again to complete the below the ground works using heavy duty hammers.

“It was definitely not a simple task as many hours were put into delivering the final product, but now we have tested the unit out demolishing the White Hart Lane stadium, we can see

just what a difference it will make to the business and our customers.” To transform the Cat 6015B into its demolition spec, extensive design changes and bespoke engineered components were required. These included lengthened track frames, the addition of a hydraulically extending undercarriage and the modification to four hoist cylinders.

To turn the machine into a typical demolition specification, a tilting cab with complete FOPS guarding was added with full machine walkways for access and safety. The addition of a counterweight, including a bespoke removal mechanism to allow it to be stored onto the trailer, completed the main machine changes.

But in order to carry out its operations, bespoke booms were designed to support the three different configurations. By having an interchangeable combination, including intermediate booms, dippers and triple articulating booms, each configuration could be setup onsite by the team from the trailer.

Des: “Commercially the whole project really stacked up for us. As we co-ordinated and agreed a project cost and timeline with Finning, we could engage with Cat OEM solutions and Kocurek to make the vision a reality.

“With the backup and service capabilities of both Finning and Kocurek supporting us, I am confident we will be able to safely speed up the demolition process for projects up and down the country. All with the end goal of getting our customers onsite faster.”

WHITE HART LANE, LONDON

UNRIVALLED TOOL CARRYING CAPACITY AND VERSATILITY THAT ALLOWS IT TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO THREE VERY DIFFERENT MACHINES.

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A DIFFERENTTAKING

VIEWWhen Midland Quarry Products (MQP) started to look at how it could improve the running of its large Cliffe Hill quarry site in Ellistown, Leicestershire, instead of opting for a big fleet renewal it took a different and much more integrated approach to its operation.

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This involved a completely new multi-million-pound tailored technology and rebuild deal with Finning,

incorporating drone technology with training, equipment monitoring and the rebuild of its existing fleet onsite.

As Finning News discovered when it visited the site on the first of its Eco-Drive™ ‘in the quarry’ training sessions, the first step of the Cat® Financial financed deal has seen MQP’s current Cat fleet retrofitted with Cat Truck Production Management System (TPMS).

This solution has in-turn been connected to the Cat MineStar productivity monitoring technology, which collects all of the data from each of the existing four Cat 775F Off Highway Trucks and Cat 992K Wheel Loader onsite.

The reason why the technology was immediately fitted to the primary mover fleet, relates to the new approach being taken by MQP, that has been developed in collaboration with experts from the Finning Managed Solutions (FMS) and Caterpillar Job Site Solutions (JSS) teams.

Combining this new data, with information collected from the

machines as part of the previous onsite service support package, and also delivered by Finning; a model of the health of each machine will be created. This will help the FMS and JSS teams to optimise the time to conduct the rebuild repower strategy for each machine.

It is this strategy that is key to the delivery of the used equipment fleet vision for MQP, as significant savings are being made on the overall life-cycle cost of running the fleet, in comparison to purchasing new equipment. With the rebuild process set to commence in 12 months, with work staggered over a further 12 month timeline, in two years’ time MQP will be the first UK quarry to run a technology managed rebuilt fleet.

To support this timeframe and approach, MQP has also become the first UK quarry to incorporate Redbird drone technology into its vision, in co-ordination with a team approach to Eco-Drive™ training, which includes managers and operators.

Data from the drone flights and equipment is being analysed by the FMS team to improve efficiencies and allow for informed decisions to be made for future layouts of the quarry as it develops. For example, GPS information from machine alerts, including breaking and acceleration patterns, are already being combined with drone survey data to spot opportunities to make changes to haul roads.

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This is all part of a joined up approach to technology and the ongoing development of skills

within the operator and manager community, with telemetry data shared to deliver on the technology backed efficiency gains targeted for the site.

To find out more, Finning News spoke to Phil Bradshaw, Operations Director for MQP: “Our new approach is all about extracting material at the lowest possible cost per tonne, taking into consideration our people and the costs associated with running the equipment. By structuring the solution to give Finning responsibility for the uptime and maintenance of the equipment in one fixed monthly payment, through Cat® Financial, the only variable we must deal with is fuel.

“So, it is in all our interests to make sure the overall operational costs are kept to a minimum and in order to achieve this, whilst also enhancing H&S on site, we have also built in support for our people with EcoDrive™ operator training.

But the real step change is the retrofitting of TMPS and the connection to Cat MineStar. This will be the beating heart of our new approach as we make the transition from downloaded data to dynamic dashboard driven monitoring, all supported by the eye-in-the-sky that is Redbird drone technology and the FMS and JSS team.

“Essentially this will fundamentally change the way we operate the site. Operators and managers will be able to monitor production throughout the day, with commercial decisions made possible in a matter of minutes. Weekly meetings with the dedicated FMS Performance Manager to review production trends and asset utilisation will maintain focus on tactical operational decisions.

“To ensure we all stay on track the whole team meet quarterly to review performance against KPI targets and to analyse where improvements can be made and ultimately reduce the costs of extraction. This more detailed analysis includes site conditions, all recorded data and feedback from operators, which all have an impact on productivity, efficiency and most importantly health and safety.

“It is an exciting proposition that has really come together thanks to the original Repair Maintenance and Improvement contract signed with Finning in 2010, which saw the existing fleet brought into the quarry. Because Finning has looked after this equipment ever since, both businesses were confident that we had the information needed to give the units a second life, with the rebuild and repower process. So now we will be running the units for a further 17,000 hours to achieve an impressive 30,500 hour goal.”

DATA FROM THE DRONE FLIGHTS AND EQUIPMENT IS BEING ANALYSED BY THE FMS TEAM TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCIES AND ALLOW FOR INFORMED DECISIONS TO BE MADE FOR FUTURE LAYOUTS OF THE QUARRY AS IT DEVELOPS

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CONNECTEDTOUR FINNING NEWS AND

DIGGERMAN BLOGGER HIT THE ROAD

Back in September, Finning News headed out on a road trip with industry blogger, Nick

Drew for our ‘Connected Tour’, where we retrofitted PL542 boxes onto Cat® and non-Cat machines up and down the country.

The PL542 records data from your equipment and communicates it through the Product Link™ platform, VisionLink. With the ability to track machine location, monitor fuel consumption and downtime, the unit allows plant managers to oversee both its fleet and operators to ensure the safe and efficient running of a site.

PlantForce Hire in Western-Super-Mare was the first stop on the map, where the PL542 was fitted to an Ammann Compactor. The DiggerMan blogger, Nick Drew, was given the opportunity to fit and register the device using the Cat Activate app.

The next stop of the Connected Tour was Gloucester, where

Nick Drew showed plant co-ordinator Shane Groves at Smiths of Gloucester Ltd. how to fit the unit himself to one of his Cat 308E Excavators.

After successfully retrofitting the boxes, the day came to a close at O’Brien Contractors in Warwickshire. Engineering manager, Gareth Price, installed the PL542 to their brand new JCB 3XC contractor backhoe loader.

Gareth said: “It has taken minutes to install, it’s probably taken longer to unscrew the casing than it has to plug this back in. It is already transmitting information and it’s all working.”

The road trip came to an end at the Finning HQ in Cannock where the Finsight team of engineers, who monitor thousands of connected assets across the UK and Ireland, tracked the teams connected machines.

Finsight discussed how they can locate, identify and flag up

any potential issues with a connected machine, advising whether individual units need preventative maintenance or servicing, with the team able to demonstrate the power of connectivity.

The unit itself is now available for free as part of a 36 month £16.50/€19 per month subscription, which includes six months of free Condition Monitoring, 36 months of fleet benchmark reports and expert advice from our dedicated analysists.

• Monitors operator performance• Tracks machine location• Monitors fuel consumption• Quick and flexible installation • Connects with Cat and non-Cat equipment• Battery backup

KEY FEATURES

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WELCOME TOTHE CAT® TABLET

GENERATIONFor its latest reveal, Caterpillar has surprised the industry by introducing the world

to its next generation of Cat 20 tonne excavators, full of technology that operators can access by tapping an in-cab tablet. To find out more, Finning News went to its EMEA press launch at

its Malaga training facility, where we caught up with the Caterpillar experts.

MALAGA TRAINING FACILITY

IT’S THE TECHNOLOGY THAT IS SET TO MAKE THIS NEW RANGE POPULAR WITH CUSTOMERS AND OPERATORS, AS THE BIG NUMBERS ARE SET TO INCREASE PROFITABILITY AND REDUCE RUNNING AND MAINTENANCE COSTS

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MALAGA TRAINING FACILITY

In total, three machines were launched at the event, the technology packed Cat® 320 and 323 tracked excavators

and a new Cat 320GC model. With some nice remodelling touches, including a plastic fuel tank with built in steps and a completely new air filter system, the biggest surprise was inside the ROPS cab itself, which now boasts not one, but two tablets for the Cat 320 and 323 models.

Connected to an array of machine mounted sensors and an operational integrated 360 degree camera system, the new spacious cab design comes with improved visibility, thanks in part to a new fuel tank.

THE BIG NUMBERS But it’s the technology that is set to make this new range popular with customers and operators, as the big numbers are set to increase profitability and reduce running and maintenance costs, whilst increasing site safety. Up to a 45% increase in productivity comes with decreases in fuel consumption of up to 25% and reduced maintenance costs of up to 15%.

As we delved into the detail, we discovered that both the new Cat 320 and 323 models are factory fitted with integrated Cat Connect Technology. The first of these technologies is the Caterpillar 2D grade control system, which can also be upgraded to Cat Grade with Advance 2D or Cat Grade with Advance 3D.

The standard Cat 2D Grade Assist, provides guidance to the operator in order to improve accuracy when grading. On the optional Cat Grade Advance with 2D, the boom and bucket functions are automated, allowing the operator to achieve final finish grade by controlling only the stick function. This feature enables excellent, first-pass accuracy on grading jobs.

In addition, Cat Production Management, an on-board weighing system, comes as standard on the 320 and 323 models. In simple terms, this allows for on-the-go weighing and real-time payload, helping to ensure optimum truck loading.

To improve real-time data transfer, all of the information from each machine on site can be relayed to site or plant managers through the in-built Cat LINK™ hardware and software, providing machine-critical operating information at the touch of a button.

Smart Fuel SavingsMost operators are used to eco modes or reduced power modes and Caterpillar has recognised this and has developed a Smart Mode operation. This automatically matches engine and hydraulic power to digging conditions and therefore optimises both fuel consumption and performance.

In practical terms, when it comes to idling, further fuel savings can be made, as engine speed is automatically lowered when it recognises there is no hydraulic demand. New hydraulic and cooling systems now use electrically driven fans, contributing to lower operating costs, with fuel savings up to 25%.

Filtering out maintenance costs When it comes to improvements in filter service life and

performance, the new hydraulic, air and fuel filters offer significant benefits. When we looked at the new air filter system that will feature on future models, the design was dramatically different. Featuring integrated pre-cleaner and primary and secondary filters, the Caterpillar product specialist confirmed that service life will be extended to 1,000 hours, a 100 percent increase over previous designs.

Operator focusedTalking to the operators demonstrating the equipment, it was clear that the new range has been designed to support and protect operators of every skill level, as well as offering excellent visibility by means of a larger cab.

Accessibility and identity comes with its own benefits Thanks to some clever design, daily maintenance checks can now all be carried out from the ground. When

the operators are ready to work, it all starts with accessing the machine using a Cat key, which from then on in isn’t required. Now, in order to start the machine, an operator will have the option of connecting with a new smart phone app, entering their specific code into the tablet touch screen or using a Bluetooth fob to identify themselves, before using a push button ignition.

Identity also comes with benefits for up to 50 regular operators of the machine, who can save their setup preferences, similar to new car drivers, making them feel at home the minute they login. They can even programme in their preferred radio station.

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Safety first In addition to the optional 360 camera system available ex-factory, which displays really clear images around the machine through the first of the large cab mounted tablets, there are some really interesting safety features that can be altered and setup by the operator.

Labelled by Caterpillar® as its E-Fence solutions, the operator can set the height, slew, depth and forward limits, which automatically prevent the machine swinging into traffic, hitting walls or overhead cables or digging up utilities.

One really important additional safety feature is the new Cab Avoidance feature, accessible from the touch screen. This one touch command ensures the bucket (or any other attachment) can’t go within a programmed distance from the cab. Similar to the other E-Fence solutions, the excavator smoothly stops the boom movement to avoid hitting the cab.

Look out for more range changes in the futureCaterpillar also confirmed a simplification of its overall excavator range will be rolled out in the future, so watch this space for more details.

THE OPERATOR CAN SET THE HEIGHT, SLEW, DEPTH AND FORWARD LIMITS, WHICH AUTOMATICALLY PREVENT THE MACHINE SWINGING INTO TRAFFIC, HITTING WALLS OR OVERHEAD CABLES OR DIGGING UP UTILITIES

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“THERE ARE SOME REALLY INTERESTING SAFETY FEATURES THAT CAN BE ALTERED AND SETUP BY THE OPERATOR

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PEOPLE BEHIND THE TECHNOLOGYAdoption of machine control technology is now moving at such a fast pace, the industry is having to adapt much more quickly to the challenges this growth delivers. With this in mind, Finning News went onsite and to Plantworx 2017 to find out more from the people behind the technology.

HARRY CHILCOTT OF CHILLCOTT PLANT HIRE Harry was a social media sensation at Plantworx, as he took on the SITECH simulator in style and spoke about his enthusiasm for the sector. For Harry, who represents the future of the industry, it was all about how technology can open doors for young people to come into the industry. Harry: “Having the opportunity to use the simulator on-stand was really good fun. It allowed me to take control of what would have been a really large dozen in a safe environment, experiencing the power of the machine and the reality of using machine control technology.

“If pupils at my school could have the same experience, then it would be much easier for them to understand what it could be like working onsite as an operator. Having grown up in my dad’s plant business, I have a real connection with the industry that I think is just not telling its story well enough. I definitely see a technology driven future for me in operating plant and running my own business.”

JASON SNAITH OWNER AND OPERATOR OF A CAT D6N DOZER For experienced operator Jason Snaith, who owns a fully Trimble machine controlled Cat® D6N, the transition from manually operating a machine using pegs placed by onsite engineers, to a full machine control setup has taken a number of years, but is now the norm. Jason, “Teaching others how to use the technology is really important, especially the younger generation. I have been fortunate to work with a number of enthusiastic individuals and one in particular has really picked up the technology. He is on fire now and happily sharing his knowledge with others which is great news. I also try and talk to a lot of the experienced guys to help them understand the journey I have been through as the technology is definitely here now and it’s here to stay. I would often pick up the phone to the SITECH technical team to ask them a question and I even do now. It did take a while to get where I am, but I am here now and it is really working for me.”

OPERATOR, BILL SMEETH AND ENGINEER OWEN JONES – SMITHS GLOUCESTER LTDHaving recently made a significant move into machine control, Smiths Gloucester Ltd has invested in its people and equipment to change how the company operates. Bill Smeeth: “When I talk to other operators who are worried about the impact of machine control, I always highlight the importance of the skills they already have. To make the most of the technology, you need to be able to call upon all of your experience as an operator.

“For me the technology is a guide to getting the right levels. For example, when doing your final trim, you already have all the information you need and don’t have to wait for the guys on the site. That’s what makes it such a remarkable solution, it saves you time, money and engineers’ visits. Once you understand the system, you will never look back.”

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With the recent award of the earthworks contracts for HS2, planning has begun for what will be the

largest technologically enabled fleet the UK has ever seen. Having previously been described as a ‘Mine in a Line’ in issue 5 of Finning News, the scale of earthworks will see 65 million cubic metres of material moved to create the 140 mile long link from London to Birmingham.

Now that the winners of the lots have been announced, the key to the successful delivery of HS2 will not just be driven by the sharing and collaboration between main contractors, it will be how the supply chain can come together across the project, to share best practice, collaborate and integrate

CAN REAL-TIME DELIVER HS2

ON-TIME?

solutions relevant for its delivery. So, the real question is, will this ‘Mine in a Line’ project be the first to adopt the real-time process model that is now common place in the mining industry? And how will advanced technologies like Cat® MineStar™ and Cat Production Measurement impact the project?

In practical terms, if combined with the latest in Redbird drone surveying technology, the right training, and true collaborative working; the benefits of real-time project management are there for the taking and the rewards are very real.

When you have the real-time information, you need to make ‘in the moment’ fleet deployment decisions, you can increase productivity and

efficiency through better cycle times, whilst reducing machine idle time and in-turn fuel burn. Take for example the scenario of a damaged haul road due to adverse weather conditions.

Through previous data where you have fully optimised the loading and hauling operations using on-board payload technology, you will have performance benchmarking data on your system. Therefore, if cycle times are dropping and machine alerts are showing irregular breaking or acceleration at certain stretches of the haul road, you will know in real-time that you have a problem.

Within minutes, you could send up a surveying drone that will map these

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areas against the previous optimised condition data. Downloading and processing this data will allow you to not only see the issue, but have an exact cubic metre measure of material that needs to be used to repair the damage. With a machine controlled grader and trucks dispatched to the exact locations, you can repair the road at the earliest and most convenient time, re-optimising the operation.

With this ‘single pane of glass’ approach giving you visibility of the entire operation from multiple devices, such as a computer in a control centre, or a section managers’ iPad onsite however you want to organise your site management, is up to you. Similarly, as the project progresses to different areas and through different seasons and more importantly weather conditions, the ongoing collection of data from connected plant assets can be used to compile operational trend information.

This can be further interrogated to highlight operator training needs, the delivery of preventative maintenance, payload analysis and many other factors that can have an impact on the planning and delivery of the project. So, whether HS2 will be delivered in real-time or not, the need for connectivity, intelligent reporting and integrated collaborative delivery, is a must.

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