Big bespoke Caterpillar 6015B reaches for the sky for DSM

by Nick Drew | Thu 03 Aug 2017

Big bespoke Caterpillar 6015B reaches for the sky for DSM

Leading demolition specialist DSM has collaborated with Caterpillar dealer Finning UK & Ireland, Cat<

strong> OEM Solutions and bespoke excavator specialist Kocurek, to create the highest and most versatile, high reach excavator in the UK, topping out at 70 metres. Designed to allow for three very different machine configurations, the powerful demolition spec Cat 6015B boasts unrivalled tool carrying capability. In its 70 metre configuration, it weighs 225 tonnes, including an attachment weighing up to 2,500kg’s

By reducing the boom size, it can operate a 7,000kg attachment at up to 38 metres, at the same weight, with its final 32 metre configuration allowing the 230 tonne unit to use a 12,000kg attachment. This has all been made possible due to extensive design changes and bespoke engineered components. 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 has been added, with full machine walkways for access and safety. The additional of a counterweight, including a bespoke removal mechanism to allow it to be stored onto the trailer, completes 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.

For DSM Director Des Kelly, a major investment in time and resources was required to make the project happen, as 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. So 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. “So 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.

“Commercially the whole project really stacked up for us. Because we co-ordinated and agree a project cost and timeline with Paul Edwards from Finning, we could engage with Cat OEM solutions and Kocurek to make the vision a reality. “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.

“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.” Read the full in depth story in Paul Argent's excellent report in the latest issue of Earthmovers Magazine in the shops on 4th August.

The magazine for owners + operators

Digger Man Blog

Big bespoke Caterpillar 6015B reaches for the sky for DSM

Loads more

Transforming safety and efficiency - A real-time t...

BOMAG Landfill Compactor makes a Big Impact!

Digging Deep with Digbits

Subscribe to Earthmovers