MHW Magazine News and stories from the Materials Handling Industry
Two new Doosan DA30 30 tonne articulated dump trucks (ADTs) fitted with high flotation tyres have been hired with drivers from Total Plant Hire Limited (TPH), based at Trafford Park in Manchester, for work on the project to build the new Mersey Gateway Bridge across the River Mersey close to Liverpool in the UK.
Like all Doosan ADTs, the DA30 model features an articulation hinge positioned behind the turning ring to provide equal weight distribution to the front axle even during maximum steer articulation. This together with a free-swinging rear tandem bogie ensures equal distribution of weight to each wheel and guarantees permanent 6-wheel contact and drive for equal power distribution and excellent performance on difficult terrain.
Low Ground Pressure
The specially shaped body and sloping frame on the DA30 offers a low centre of gravity and perfect weight distribution. Combined with the free-swinging tandem, the DA30 offers ‘best in class’ low ground bearing pressure, which is further minimised by the use of the high flotation tyres on the Doosan machines purchased by TPH.
Thomas Halligan, Owner of TPH, said: “We purchased the new Doosan DA30 ADTs equipped with high flotation tyres for use on contracts such as the Mersey Gateway Bridge project, where low ground pressure is required. At TPH, we believe in offering a ‘one-stop’ service for our customers covering all types of machine needed for their sites. Since we started purchasing Doosan ADTs in 2014, we have seen very good utilisation especially for the trucks with high flotation tyres on projects across North-west England.”
The two new Doosan ADTs have joined eight more DA30 models that already form part of the hire fleet at TPH, all of which were purchased from Norwest Plant Ltd, based at Wigan in Lancashire, the Authorised Doosan and Bobcat dealer for North-West England and North Wales.
The 10 Doosan DA30 ADTs are part of the impressive TPH rental fleet that also includes over 100 Doosan excavators and wheel loaders, all purchased from Norwest Plant. TPH runs a mixed fleet of Doosan excavators comprising both crawler and wheeled models. Doosan wheeled excavators were added in 2008 as the company diversified into the utility market and the fleet was further expanded in 2010 with the addition of the first Doosan mini-excavators.
Work started on the Mersey Gateway Project on 7 May 2014 to build a new six lane toll bridge over the Mersey between Runcorn and Widnes and when it opens in Autumn 2017, it will help to relieve the congested Silver Jubilee Bridge further up the river. As well as the construction of the new bridge, the Mersey Gateway Project also involves upgrading 7 km of highways to the north and south of the river (the main bridge is 2.2 km long), and changing traffic flow so the vast majority of traffic will use the new bridge.
A temporary trestle bridge has been built as an access platform for the construction teams to work from to build the new structures in the river. Accessed from the trestle bridge, temporary cofferdams have been built to enable foundations to be laid for the three pylons that will support the main bridge. The Doosan DA30 ADTs are being used to remove earth excavated from these cofferdams and from others across the site.
As well as the work on the bridge in the estuary, the Doosan DA30 ADTs are being used in the construction of the supporting piers for the elevated approach viaducts, which cross the Manchester Ship Canal and the St Helens Canal. Each approach viaduct is held up by a number of supporting piers – there are 20 in total, which will stretch across the saltmarsh on either side of the estuary. The DA30 ADTs also have a role in the reuse and restoration of the land across the project site. A significant amount of material is being excavated from within the project boundary and nearly all of this material will be reused on site.
Jonathan Campbell, General Manager of Norwest Plant Ltd, said: “We’re thrilled TPH has yet again put their trust in Norwest Plant to supply more Doosan ADTs resulting in TPH having the largest fleet of Doosan ADTs in the country. Clearly TPH is confident with the back-up service and support that Norwest Plant offers; coupled with the strong performance of the Doosan brand, this is most certainly a winning combination.”
As the Authorised Doosan and Bobcat dealer for North-West England and North Wales, Norwest Plant covers Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside (including the Wirral), Cheshire, Anglesey, North Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham.
Jonathan Campbell added: “Over the past 18 months we, at Norwest Plant, have invested heavily in our aftermarket function by doubling the number of service engineers, doubling our parts staff and appointing an aftermarket manager. We now have a clear and defined strategy to provide the best possible service for all our customers; from the sole traders who purchase 1 tonne Bobcat mini-diggers to the larger companies who purchase up to 50 tonne excavators. All Norwest engineers have spent weeks at a time at Doosan-Bobcat’s tremendous training facility at Dobris near Prague in the Czech Republic and have the knowledge and expertise to cover any eventuality.”
