Operations at a sand and aggregates plant in Oman have been boosted by the arrival of a new SDLG L958F wheeled loader, part of the reliable Chinese brand’s latest F-series machines.
Oman-based Naeem Dhofar Trading Company is a specialist in sand and aggregates production. Since spring 2015, it has been crushing wadi rock at its 7.5-acre, purpose-built facility in Wadi Dahboon, around 100km north of Salalah.
Today, some 1,530m³ of rocks are delivered to the site each day, of which around 3,000tonnes are crushed and screened in a single 10-hour shift. From this, a range of products are produced, from natural wadi sand to aggregates as large as 20mm, and they are used in ready-mix, road building and general construction sectors in the Sultanate.
These materials are particularly abrasive and put a lot of strain on equipment at the site. To mitigate this impact, Naeem Dhofar decided to purchase an
The F-series wheeled loaders from SDLG were launched last year and feature a modern design and time-tested technologies, resulting in a range that exceeds customer requirements. The hardy, 17-tonne L958F is one of the most popular models in the Middle East and Africa. It is fitted with a standard 3.2m³ bucket and features a rated load of 5.4tonnes, a maximum breakout force of 194kN and 162kW of power.
“From the outset, this machine has impressed us with its power, quick cycle times and overall performance levels,” said plant engineer Devanand Bugde. “Wadi stone is a particularly harsh material, and one that places extreme demands on equipment. Add summertime temperatures that extend well into the 40°C bracket and a general atmosphere of crusher dust, and it is fair to say the working environment is demanding! So far, the SDLG machine has handled this environment very well.”
The L958F is responsible for loading the wadi stone (hard limestone pebbles that measure up to 30cm in circumference) into tipper trucks for delivery to the site’s crusher hoppers. It is also used to clear fines, manage stockpiles and load the finished product into trucks.
“The L958F is proving to be productive and reliable in a difficult environment,” added Bugde. “The operator likes using it, it’s easy to service and maintain, and it looks the part too! In truth, the L958F is performing at a level that you’d ordinarily expect of a much more expensive European or Japanese manufactured machine. Its design puts SDLG in a different league when compared with any other Chinese manufacturers.”
For the future, Bugde said Naeem Dhofar plans to expand its capacity, as well as develop its own ready-mixed cement capability.
“As a result of our positive experience with the SDLG wheeled loader, additional SDLG machines are on our shopping list when that time comes,” he concluded.
