Operator acceptance matters when choosing waste handling equipment

The Cat 938K Waste Handling Arrangement is deployed at REMONDIS’ Raubers Road transfer station in Northgate, just 14 kilometres north of Brisbane’s central business district.

It’s a bustling operation, handling up to 160,000 tonnes of material each year, including a large amount of construction and industrial waste.

Robert says that while general machines may not suit the environment, the Cat 938K has proven it’s up to the task, notching up more than 18,000 hours’ operation since 2014.

It’s given REMONDIS such a good service life, a second machine is on order.

Robert says the Cat 938K offers some advantages to the waste industry, including additional guarding and debris management.

“At a transfer station there is all sorts of rubbish. When you’re pushing stockpiles with a loader you can never predict what you come up against,” he says. “Sharp objects, such as steel, can penetrate underneath the machine and can result in a lot of money for repairs and downtime. Additional guarding fitted at the Cat factory as part of the Waste Handling Arrangement helps protect against that.”

REMONDIS has customised the Cat 938K, swapping out a general-purpose bucket for a multi-purpose one that gives flexibility for the type of work that can be carried out.

Wayne Partridge, Resource and Ag Manager for dealer Hastings Deering, says multi-function work has never been easier with the Cat 938K quick-loading performance series buckets, and improved Z-bar linkage.

“It combines the digging efficiency of a traditional Z-bar with tool carrier capabilities,” Wayne says. “The parallel lift and high tilt forces throughout the working range allow safe handling of loads with precise control. You can simultaneously lift, steer and drive.

“The K-Series small wheel loader does what you ask it to do.”

Caterpillar’s industry-first Hystat Operator Modes, featuring four power train settings, also ensures the Cat 938K is responsive to operator needs while delivering the right balance of fuel efficiency and tractive power. Settings include classic Torque Converter for smooth rollout, conventional Hystat for aggressive engine braking, Ice Mode that maximises control on slippery ground, and Default mode, that blends the best of Hystat and Torque Converter characteristics.

“For the toughest and most demanding applications, a new Performance Mode will allow you to boost the power and hydraulic speed in all ranges to get the job done even quicker,” Wayne says. “You can fine-tune machine performance with adjustments at your fingertips through the soft touch buttons and optional secondary display.

“You can also quickly set hydraulic response, along with linkage kickout positions, maximum wheel torque and peak ground speed, to perform a multitude of tasks.”

The K-Series cabin is designed for all-round visibility and has low-effort joystick controls that move with the operator on a fully adjustable seat suspension. Automatic temperature control, external mirrors with lower parabolic and column mounted multi-function controls are standard inclusions.

Robert says another reason why REMONDIS stayed with Caterpillar was that operators enjoy using the Cat 938K.

“We did ask the boots on the ground team for their thoughts before we started the process of looking for another machine,” Robert says.

“If you’ve got that operator acceptance, it goes a long way to getting the best out of the machines.”

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