Our Kensworth Quarry team have recently welcomed a new 70t Hitachi excavator which is already  making a significant impact, not just in terms of performance, but also in efficiency and sustainability.

Currently, the machine is hard at work excavating overburden to support site restoration and expose valuable chalk reserves. Once this phase is complete, it will transition to full-scale chalk extraction, playing a vital role in our production cycle.

 One of the standout features of this new excavator is the increased bucket capacity.  This means reduced loading times allowing Articulated Dumper Trucks (ADTs) to be filled more quickly and to get back on the move sooner. This results in reduced idle time for the ADTs and a more efficient, continuous workflow.

The cycle times have been considerably reduced which means that the excavator is working more efficiently. This provides increased productivity, the key is balance, with the right number of ADTs, the excavator can operate at 100% efficiency, minimising downtime. While this maximises fuel usage during operation, it also drives down the cost per tonne excavated, making it a win for productivity and cost-efficiency.

It also brings environmental benefits too, with reduced fuel consumption and Adblue usage than previous models, thanks to a refined engine design that reduces emissions. This means lower operating costs and a smaller environmental footprint, both important wins for our sustainability goals.

As we continue to invest in smarter, more efficient equipment, this excavator is a great example of how investment and innovation on the ground helps us deliver more value, more sustainably.