A Weidemann 2070CX50 compact wheeled loader has been delivered to the Purbeck based Lovell Stone Group for use at its recently acquired Hartham Park underground quarry in Corsham, Wiltshire.
Lovell Stone owns and operates a total of five quarries across SW England and the new facility will produce premium Hartham Park Bath stone with a potential capacity of up to 4000 cu m/annum which will be supplied to masonry companies throughout the UK.
As part of a major capital investment program at Hartham Park, the Weidemann articulated loader is a small but important element.
The previous operator of the quarry had used a skid steer loader for the lighter duties involved such as moving small blocks of stone and general fetch and carry duties but, following trials of various machines, the Weidemann unit was chosen as Lovell Stone felt it offered a much better combination of lift capacity, stability and robust build quality.
The quarry workings at Hartham Park are some 20 m underground and the only access is via a steep ramp up which stone blocks are winched on a wheel-mounted trolley.
Unlike some of the larger equipment used in the mining operation, the Weidemann machine was small enough to be lowered down the shaft without the need for dismantling.
Commenting on the choice of the 2070 for this arduous application, Lovell Stone Group’s managing director Simon Hart said: “We are really pleased with the machine which besides being very well engineered and having an excellent power to weight ratio, came with a three year warranty which was very appealing to us for peace of mind during the early years of operation on the new site.”
Supplied by local dealer New Forest Farm Machinery, the 2070CX50 supplied to Lovell Stone is powered by a Perkins diesel engine developing 35.7 kW (49 hp) @ 2600 rpm driving all four wheels via a two stage 20 kph (12.4 mph) hydrostatic transmission. Weighing in at 3270 kg, the machine offers a maximum tipping load of 2058 kg and a maximum pivot point reach of 3222 mm.
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