French company ECT (Enviro 鈥� Conseil 鈥� Travaux) has recently opted to take advantage of the Caterpillar Certified Power Train (CPT) rebuild service for two of its Cat 740 Ejector articulated trucks. These are the first rebuilds worldwide for articulated trucks. Both were carried out by the French Cat dealer Bergerat Monnoyeur.
鈥淭丑别 Caterpillar Certified Power Train service offered by Bergerat Monnoyeur presented us with a more cost-effective option. It allows us to take advantage of a machine with a practically new engine, transmission and axles, and with external renovation, for around only 50 percent of the price of a new machine. That includes a 3-year extended warranty on the complete power train. And we could also be certain that the experience and expertise of our Cat dealer鈥檚 technical staff would guarantee a first class renovation job,鈥� explains ECT Directeur d鈥橢xploitation Pascal Beslay the choice of rebuild over a new machine.
An initial study was undertaken to evaluate potential benefits, followed by detailed machine inspections and planning. Only then was the renovation process and thorough performance testing carried out. For each of the two machines, the total process 鈥� including dismantling renovation, painting and reassembly 鈥� took approximately 1200 hours, and the two machines are now back at work.
Sustainability in action
ECT specialises in the storage of inert waste from building and civil engineering projects, and in its use for reclamating and restorating derelict land. Currently the company handles around seven million tonnes of material brought by contractors to 14 landfill sites in the Paris region and the south of France. These include two gypsum mines, where the mineral extracted is being replaced by waste material in order to stabilize the cavity and prevent collapse or subsidence. They were one of the first companies in Europe to buy 740 Ejector articulated trucks in 2004.
鈥淔or us the 740 Ejector is a perfect machine to match our application underground, where there are height, turning radius and visibility constraints. With its 38 tonne payload and long service intervals, the 740 Ejector has proved to be just as productive for us underground as a normal 740 articulated truck would working on the surface. Using it, we can move up to 50,000 cubic metres of material per month working a single shift pattern鈥�, says Pascal Beslay.
But even the toughest machines have limited lives, particularly when they work underground, subjected to high dust, vibration and shock. By 2009 it was evident that, with over 8000 operating hours, ECT would soon have to consider replacing them.
鈥淲e鈥檙e a company whose primary concern is sustainability, and whose whole business is related to conservation and restoration of the environment. So does it make sense simply to scrap and replace a Cat machine when there鈥檚 a more cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternative? Of course not!鈥� says ECT鈥檚 environmental consultant Joel Labille.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a solution you can鈥檛 argue with,鈥� states Pascal Beslay. 鈥淭丑别 operational life of the two machines has been extended by at least 50 percent. Like the kind of work we do, it鈥檚 a perfect example of sustainability in action.鈥�
Cat Certified Power Train Program
鈥� Restores power train to like-new performance
鈥� Covers radiator, engine, transmission, torque converter, final drive and axle
鈥� Approximately 200 tests and inspections of power train components
鈥� Replacement or reconditioning of approximately 3,000 parts, including power train electrical switches, sensors, sending units, electronic control modules, engine wiring harnesses, bearings, gaskets, seals and coolant hoses
鈥� Critical engineering improvements and updates incorporated
鈥� Extended power train coverage available聽
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
