Page 37 - HUB-4 Magazine Issue 99

Concrete
The excavator’s role is critical — not only in productivity, but
also in precision. “We already have an R 934 at Colemans
Quarry and have found that to be a very reliable and
productive machine,” Matt says. “Moreso, the fuel economy
we are getting is far better than anything else we have in the
fleet. That was a big factor in choosing Liebherr again.”
The stripped material is then transported by a trio of TA 230
articulated dump trucks, moving across haul routes that
currently stretch to around 650 metres. Despite the variation in
ground conditions, the trucks maintain a steady rhythm, aided
by wide tyres that minimise ground pressure and a design that
balances traction with operator comfort.
The final stage of the cycle takes place away from the main
extraction area, where restoration work is reshaping the
landscape entirely. Unlike many quarries, where overburden is
simply backfilled into worked-out areas, Needingworth is part
of a much more ambitious project.
Working in partnership with the RSPB, the site is being
developed into what will ultimately become one of Europe’s
largest man-made wetland habitats. The scale of that ambition
is evident on site, with newly formed landforms gradually
taking shape across the low-lying landscape.
Here, a Liebherr PR 736 dozer, equipped with Trimble
Earthworks, is at work. From a prepared platform, it pushes
and shapes material into a network of islands and contours,
following detailed
environmental designs.
“We’re given a plan to
create these ‘cells’, which
include a series of islands
formed from the soils
we’ve already moved,”
Matt explains. “The
dozer plays a key role
in delivering that — it allows us to be precise, which is
essential for this type of restoration.”
The integration of technology with machine performance is
clearly visible, as the dozer moves steadily across the site,
building up the contours that will eventually support a diverse
ecosystem of wildlife.
Across both the production and earthmoving sides of the
operation, there is a clear emphasis on consistency — not just
in output, but in support. All Liebherr equipment on site is
covered by long-term service agreements, ensuring both the
batching plant and mobile fleet are maintained to
manufacturer standards.
“We’ve been very impressed with the level of service we’ve
had,” Matt says. “Having that support gives us real
reassurance. It’s an added cost, but when you look at fuel
savings and overall efficiency, it more than justifies itself —
and it helps us reduce our carbon footprint too.”
Back on site, the interplay between the different elements of
the operation becomes clear. Materials are extracted,
transported, processed, and ultimately transformed — not just
into construction products, but into a landscape with a future
purpose.
By investing across both concrete production and
earthmoving, Brice Aggregates has created a more integrated
and controlled operation at Needingworth. It is a model that
brings together
performance,
efficiency and
environmental
responsibility — and
one that positions the
quarry for the long
term.
www.hub-4.com July/August - Issue 99
| p37 |