In for the Long Haul: Rangitikei Aggregates

Specialist aggregates producer Rangitikei Aggregates has scored the first new Cat 349EL Mass Excavator to be delivered by Gough’s in New Zealand, continuing a strategy of long term investment by the central North Island operation. Richard Clark explains.

Rangitikei Aggregates is a joint venture operation established in 2002 in partnership with Winstone Aggregates (Fletchers), Fulton Hogan and the HW Richardson Group.

It was established on the basis where the shareholding companies put their local assets together into one consolidated business within the district. The operation has a long term view when it comes to business and has substantial investments in land based resources to underwrite production for the next 25-30 years.

Rangitikei Aggregates distributes products throughout the North Island, but with a main focus on the mid to lower region. The company operates three principle quarry sites – Campion Road and Kakariki in the Rangitikei district, and Wiremu Road in Taranaki. A Cat-powered mobile crushing plant provides flexibility between the sites and is utilised to crush aggregates for customers in the Lower North Island.

Unlike many other quarry operations in the district, Rangitikei Aggregates distinction is they are solely an aggregates producer. The company supplies a wide range of concrete aggregate, roading chip, sands and roading aggregates.

So what’s the reason behind acquiring the new Cat 349EL mass excavator? Rangitikei Aggregates General Manager, Reg Mason takes up the story.

“The recent acquisition of the Wiremu Road quarry meant a new front line excavator was required at our principle site at Kakariki. As this happened relatively quickly, the onus was on equipment suppliers around our time constraints and machine availability. They had to be in position to provide a 50 tonne ME configured unit in a short period of time. Gough’s stepped up and was able to quickly supply the 349EL which fitted our requirements nicely.”

However the 349EL ticked other boxes, which are important factors for Rangitikei Aggregates. “The company has a long term philosophy with regard to our assets, and this gear purchase was no different.”

“We wanted a unit we knew would be a solid, reliable, productive performer in our quarries for the next 6-7 years. We see the Cat machine as a positive investment for the future, and its reliability, longevity and good resale value were key factors when making our selection. The service and backup Gough’s can provide was also taken into account.”

The powerful new series Cat 349EL mass excavation spec combines high performance and rugged durability to maximize jobsite productivity. Gough territory sales manager Carl Southee, who sold the 349ELME says this 50 tonne unit is powered by a Cat C13 ACERT engine and boasts upgrades in technology to boost its competitive edge.

“In my opinion, there is not enough said about the 50 tonne operating weight of the Cat. This stands for a lot when trying to penetrate aggregate material and increases lift capacity with a full bucket resulting in an overall reduction in cycle and loading times.”

“Caterpillar has invested massive R & D into their engines with lower rpm to get the desired kilowatts (317kW @ 1700rpm), providing emissions compliant power and reducing fuel burn. Another good example is with the hydraulic driven on-demand fan vs a mechanical driven fan, which results in less load on the engine and ultimately less fuel burn.”

Like all Cat E Series models, the 349EL includes an enhanced operator station to reduce fatigue, enhance worksite safety and increase productivity. Features include reinforced frame, special viscous mounts, and special roof lining and sealing that limit vibration and noise, comfortable seat with heated and air-cooled options, adjustable joystick consoles to meet operator preference and a large easy-to-use LCD monitor that’s 40% larger than the previous model.

The 349EL also features a severe duty 2.61cum Gough Engineering bucket that was custom designed locally to Rangitikei Aggregates requirements.

Reg Mason says, “Since its arrival at Kakariki, the 349ELME has been utilised to extract alluvial gravels associated with the Rangitikei River. As well as loading trucks with aggregates, the Cat is also stripping 250mm to 300mm of soil to access two cuts of high quality greywacke gravels. The first is 2-3m above the water table, with the second 2-3m below the water table.”

He notes the new Cat will also play a key role in beautifying the current site once its available productive aggregates are extracted. “As part of our commitment to progressively beautify the current site for the long term, its rehabilitation will see the quarry transformed into a wildlife habitat that features a lake.”

Just as Reg finds a similarity in the philosophy behind the long-term value of Rangitikei’s land-based resources and its heavy equipment assets, it can also be true of long-term performance; the quarries they own and operate can be utilised for decades to come, and so will the 349ELME be resilient over its life cycle. Just as the Rangitikei landscape is contoured with natural cuttings of alluvial gravels, the 349ELME embodies the rugged reliability and longevity classically characteristic of the Cat brand.  

Check out the range of Cat heavy equipment suited to the Quarry & Aggregate application, click here