Creeton Quarry in Lincolnshire is the first UK quarry to purchase a
Doosan says the top-of the-range vehicle, which is equipped with a 6.2 m3 quick hitch mounted bucket, is providing a significant increase in productivity for material-handling applications around the quarry.
The DL580-5 is supplied and supported by Doosan dealer Filtermech Plant Sales, which is based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.
Steve Johnson, quarry manager at Creeton, said: “We have an existing Doosan DL550-3 wheel loader but I felt the new DL580-5 would provide us with a substantial boost to our output. With its capability of scooping up to 10 tonne of material in every bucket full, the DL580-5 allows us to fill customer lorries with just two buckets rather than three and our articulated dump trucks (ADTs) with just three buckets instead of four."
The quarry, which is ten miles north of Stamford, produces on average about 4,000 tonnes of material a day.
To take on heavier material handling jobs, the DL580-5 has a similar look to the existing DL550-5 model, but Doosan says it features robust structural components and an advanced double circuit axle cooling system. The company adds that these provide an ideal solution for heavier work including block lifting in quarries and mines, but also heavy-duty applications in industrial, construction and recycling operations.
To meet these requirements, the DL580-5 has an operating weight of 36,030kg and higher static tipping loads (straight/full turn 40°) of 29,700kg and 26,200kg, respectively. The overall size of the DL580-5 is almost the same as the DL550-5, but the new model is equipped with a series of features designed to make it extremely reliable and durable.
These include the front structure, which is more rugged, with greater rigidity and strength. The DL580-5 has reinforced Z-bar kinematics for heavier lifting with few moving parts. Doosan says this design also helps stabilise the loader, enables rapid bucket movements and keeps the bucket at the right angle position at all times.
Creeton Quarry is regarded as one of the finest suppliers of Jurassic limestone in the UK. Purchased by the Johnston Quarry Group in October 2006, the freehold 70-acre quarry has over 6.5 million tonnes of consented reserves.
