Aggregate Industries has added 21 HD Hyundai wheeled loading shovels to service the needs of all its asphalt, cement and ready-mix plants across the UK. The deal includes one HL955A, two HL940A models and 18 HL930As. Of that number, two of the HL930A machines were delivered in a tool carrier layout, with parallel lift arms for more efficient handling of bagged and palleted materials.
“Willowbrook Plant, on behalf of HD Hyundai, won a tender between four manufacturers and so far, the machines are doing well,” said Area HME Fleet Manager (South East) Steve McNamara. “The Hyundai loaders are a high-specification machine, both in the cab and in terms of equipment. The All Around Viewing Monitoring (AAVM) camera system is standard, the weigh loader is standard, both of which are extras with other suppliers. That’s a big uplift in cost, as our specification is already high, but the Hyundai machines came with everything on.”
The wheeled loaders come with a two-year warranty and a rolling service agreement with Willowbrook Plant, which will use Hyundai’s Hi-MATE telematic system to monitor the machines remotely and to plan maintenance.
“We are very proactive on preventative maintenance and we make sure that the machines are looked after,” said Mr McNamara. “At Aggregates Industries we run a lean fleet, so if a machine breaks down, it can have an effect on productivity on site. However, the Hyundai loaders have Cummins engines and ZF axles and transmissions, so we were confident in the equipment.”
Willowbrook worked closely with Aggregate Industries to specify each machine to suit individual site requirements. That said, some of the production facilities work longer hours than others and machines of a similar size and specification can, in the future, be moved between sites to keep overall operating hours similar.
“We specify the machine on the peak hour requirement,” said Mr McNamara. “We have a massive campaign to ensure optimum fuel consumption and utilisation. We focus on productive working and we measure performance, to reduce idling. We save expenditure per hour on fuel.”
The company runs a pre-planned remould tyre cycle, so insists on premium brands that can be remoulded for extended use. With that in mind all of the HD Hyundai loaders have been supplied on Michelin rubber. They also feature all available safety equipment and, on dustier sites, they have been equipped with secondary air filters.
