With a new factory now operational and branches opening in Victoria and WA, Roo Attachments is establishing itself as the first choice for attachments 10
News
In this issue’s news coverage, Caterpillar announces the launch of its new 980 GC loader and prostate cancer advice arrives in the workplace 6
Features
Demos of LiuGong’s newly released 922F excavator showcase advanced features 15
Burrows Plant Hire’ s Peter Burrows sings the praises of his Hercules wheel loader 18
For nearly 50 years Cat machinery has been at the heart of Pengelly’s Earthmoving’s fleet 20
With a new cab and hydraulic system, Volvo CE’s EC360FL excavator heralds a new era 24 Wodonga land developer Nordcon is continuing to expand its fleet with JCB 26
Hutchings Plant Hire director Mark Hutchings talks about his love for Cat machinery, both old and new 30 Queensland’s Protrax explains how Diamond Mowers helps with precision invasive weed control 37 Get expert crushing and screening advice with 888CSE and its McCloskey crusher range 40
Jaws Crushers appointed Rubble Master dealer 42 The award-winning design of Hidromek’s HMK 600 MG motor grader
Editor Cat Fitzpatrick
catherine.fitzpatrick@primecreative.com.au
Journalist
Jackson Haddad
Contributors
Cathryn Greville, Damian Long, Trevor
Schwenke
Managing Editor Eugene Duffy
Art Director Daz Woolley
Cover Image Roo Attachments
Industry opinion
CCF QLD CEO Damian Long discusses the supply chain hurdles facing infrastructure delivery
Hanna Moriconi is defying stereotypes at one of Boral’s far north Queensland quarries
NAWIC is supporting Amarapave to open up industry opportunities to underrepresented people
Photojournalist David Wylie discusses his passion for large machines and the stories behind them
WorldSkills Australia CEO Trevor Schwenke discusses why trade skills matter more than ever
SPECIAL
FEATURE
BUCKETS AND ATTACHMENTS
Doherty’s BTA rotary tilt bucket range
RD Williams and QLD Rock Breakers a one-stop shop
Elgra Engineering’s hydraulic post driver offering Steelform Engineering – locally built with pride ONTRAC Group brings design to the fore with XMOR WJJ Trading brings SEC buckets Down Under Durability key for Betta Built Buckets’ attachments
Regulars
Marketplace / DIY advertising Digger deals – hot classified deals! Private advertising coupon Index
Plant & Equipment
WHEEL LOADER
Caterpillar has announced the worldwide release of its new Cat 980 GC wheel loader
Loader launched
Caterpillar says its new 980 GC offers low fuel consumption with an on-demand fan, load-sensing hydraulics, intuitive controls and Performance Series buckets, and has been designed for a wide variety of applications.
Powered by a Cat C13 engine, four forward/reverse speeds reach a maximum 39.8km/h while the electronic clutch pressure control (ECPC) shifting system provides smooth, efficient gear changes in all operating conditions. An optional limited slip differential axle increases traction in poor underfoot conditions. With a bucket capacity range of 4.3–5.8 cubic metres, Cat Performance Series buckets use a system-based approach to balance bucket shape with the machine’s
HEALTH
lift and tilt capacity, weight and linkage. The bucket design improves material retention and reduces dig time with build options that include general purpose, flat floor, heavy duty rock, coal and light material to meet any application.
The Cat Z-bar loader linkage with cast crossmember and tilt-lever provides strong digging efficiency and high breakout forces for superior production capabilities. Load-sensing hydraulics produce flow and pressure for the implement only when needed, improving machine productivity and resulting in low fuel consumption.
Cat VisionLink, standard for the new 980 GC, allows fleet managers to track critical loader operating parameters like machine location, hours, fuel usage, diagnostic codes
A new initiative designed to proactively protect men from the nation’s most commonly diagnosed cancer is being rolled out by Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) directly in the workplace.
Recognising the need for urgent
and idle time to improve productivity and lower operating costs.
In the cab, pilot-operated hydraulic controls deliver low-effort, comfortable operation and include a remote transmission kick-down switch for operating comfort.
Ladders are standard on both machine sides, providing easy access to the cab from the left-hand side and to service points from the righthand side. Extended windows with wide, flat, and distortion-free front windshield combined with rearview mirrors with spot mirrors offer clear visibility to the jobsite. A rearview camera is standard, and a windshield guard option is available.
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is encouraging workplaces to arrange for a healthcare presentation for their workforce. Image: Pcess609/stock.adobe.com
virtually or in person, tailored to the needs of the workplace.
“The program provides employers with much greater capacity to be proactive about prostate cancer in the workplace, helping to overcome myths and misconceptions and eliminating the stigma that so often surrounds men’s cancers,” program manager Mark Jensen says.
awareness across organisations, PCFA’s new Life Force program supports the one in five men who are set to face prostate cancer in their lifetime.
PCFA’s Life Force program offers free presentations from trained volunteers and can be delivered
“Workplaces have an important role to play in promoting prostate cancer early detection and awareness, and we’d love to see more businesses signing up for a presentation as soon as possible.”
For more information, visit www.pcfa.org.au/awareness/ pcfa-life-force-program
Prostate cancer advice is being taken to the workplace
The new Cat 980 GC loader. Image: Caterpillar
New era
LiuGong Australia is celebrating a new era for the brand with the announcement of exclusive metro dealerships
LiuGong Australia has announced that three new dealerships will open at Wetherill Park in Sydney, Truganina in Melbourne and Wacol in Brisbane.
The new Construction Distribution Australia (CDA) dealerships, which are backed by the McIntosh Group, add to and will further support the brand’s extensive network of about 80 dealers located around the country, as well as local parts depots and product support staff.
LiuGong Australia’s Liam McCormick says it has been an amazing growth story for the LiuGong brand in Australia over the past two decades and the new CDA dealerships would open another exciting chapter, especially for its impact in metropolitan areas.
“LiuGong has risen to be a leading equipment provider in market segments like wheel loaders and it’s fast approaching the same with numerous other machines,” he says.
“The range has come a long way to now offer similar or greater performance to premium brands, and now with the styling to match, and this is increasingly being recognised by businesses and industry operators.
“The recent arrival of LiuGong’s electric equipment range has also had a big impact and it is clearly leading the pack with this technology in Australia. It has been developing electric machines for 15 years, it has
The sales, parts and service team at Construction Distribution Australia (CDA) at the Truganina, Melbourne premises
McCormick adds having the dealerships solely focused on LiuGong and staffed with expert service technicians and product support teams is a great step for the brand.
“The LiuGong brand has become big in Australia quite quickly. The network is strong in regional areas across the country and has been for over 20 years, so it is good to add further weight to that and now strengthen it in metropolitan areas,” he says.
11 product lines, it’s launched over 90 products across most market segments and it has amassed well over 11 million hours on battery electric vehicles around the world.
“The CDA dealerships are in a very strong position to support the increasing demand for LiuGong’s electric range and it will be an exciting phase that will really drive the brand in the metropolitan and wider markets. The dealerships are already coordinating electric machine trials with various major Australian companies.”
“CDA has extensive experience in sales and customer support. Service technicians and parts staff receive specialist LiuGong training on the full range of products, systems and technical data to ensure the highest levels of servicing and support.
“In addition to sales staff, technicians are on the road and on-site, so operators can pop-in to the dealerships at any time for any technical support and parts supplies.
“The dealerships will also assist the optimisation of machines prior to delivery, which will enable faster deliveries and service, and they will help to manage machine allocation across the dealer network more effectively.”
CDA’s James Lipman alongside one of the latest additions to LiuGong’s F Series excavator range, the 33-tonne 933F model, supporting Sydney and wider region operators from Wetherill Park
Images:
LiuGong
Cover story
Quality you can trust
From start to finish, Roo Attachments ensures that every piece of equipment is designed, manufactured and finished with a focus on quality and durability. With its new factory operational and branches opening in Victoria and WA, Roo Attachments is establishing itself as the first choice for machinery attachments
With a significant range of attachments available for excavators, wheel loaders, telehandlers, tractors, skid steers and more, Roo Attachments ensures the highest quality of production – starting from the design and the steel it chooses to buy to the final product’s delivery.
Having recently expanded its manufacturing operations in China, under the name of Fishburn Heavy Fabrication in Zhangzhou, Roo Attachments is also further expanding its presence in Australia. With the recent acquisition of Bucketman in Victoria, Roo Attachments is now operating out of Gisborne South, while a third location will open soon in Gingin, WA.
“The Roo Attachments brand was started in China in 2010 by Australian James Fishburn, and we then set up our Australian business four years later to better service this market,” owner Tim Moss says.
“But the company has always been Australian-owned and Australianoperated and we own all our own attachment designs.
“We have our own factory in China so that we control the manufacturing
Roo Attachments has a distribution agreement with BYG – on display here at Diesel Dirt & Turf
process from start to finish. The steel we buy is primarily made from Australian iron ore, and only comes from the most reputable steel plants in China, so that we know we’re getting good quality fully refined steel.
“We use high quality quenched and tempered wear plate (BIS or HARDOX 400, 450, and 500 grades of steel) in the high wearing areas of our attachments – making them much more abrasion resistant and ideal for the quarry and mining industries.
“We also use Japanese Kobelco welding wire because of its superior quality and its hardness, making the welds last longer in heavy applications.
“We are already heavily focused on the construction market and the strategy now is to push hard into the quarry and mining markets where we believe we can offer a highly abrasion resistant product at a much lower price than what the market has had to pay in the past for similar quality, with our heavy duty rock buckets already in operation in a number of quarries around Australia.”
The new factory is allowing Roo Attachments to improve the efficiency of the manufacturing process as well as reduce costs.
“We’re in the process of installing a new a new laser cutter, multiple welding robots, CNC machining
Images: Roo
Roo Attachments hold a vast quantity of stock at its warehouse in Port Kembla
centres and Panasonic welders, and the new powder coated painting line is already in operation,” Moss says.
“I think we’ll be the only ones in Australia with a powder coated paint finish on our attachments, which adds to the presentation and protection of the product.”
Huge offering
Roo Attachments has a vast range of attachments available for excavators from one tonne up to 600 tonnes, skid steers, wheel loaders, telehandlers and tractors. These
are sold through many OEMs and dealers across Australia, and also direct to end-user customers.
A new partnership between Fishburn Heavy Fabrication and ground engagement tool (GET) manufacturer BYG Futura is also seeing Roo Attachments’ equipment being offered with this premium brand of teeth and other wear parts.
“At Diesel Dirt & Turf we had a Komatsu PC 2000 heavy duty rock bucket on display complete with the BYG Futura hammerless GET installed,” Roo Attachments
business development manager Rob Price says.
“That was a 200-tonne excavator bucket and we used it to showcase two things. Firstly, our partnership with BYG Futura, which is vitally important for what we’re doing moving forward, but also to show people that we’re not just doing the smaller attachments.
“We’ve recently sold multiple wheel loader buckets for some of the largest wheel loaders on the market, for example. We also sell a lot of the wheel loader hi dump or
High grade steel is used in all of Roo Attachments’ buckets
Every Roo Attachments product is built and designed by the company itself
A vast range of attachments is available, including hammers
A 1.7-tonne hydraulic grab
toe tip buckets, which are a special application bucket.”
Roo Attachments maintains a large stock at its warehouse in Port Kembla, with over 3,500 items ready to go.
“We carry attachments for all makes and models,” Price says.
“The fact that we have those huge stock holdings over here is a significant benefit for our customers.
“If you’re looking at our attachments for just 1.7-tonne excavators for example, you’re looking at about 15 or 20 different brands that we cater for and we have in stock.”
With each stage of the design,
construction and delivery process handled by the business, Roo Attachments prides itself on being a manufacturer, not just an importer.
“We stand by our warranty, and we stand behind our products,” Moss says.
“If there is an issue, we get it sorted and keep the customer happy. That’s the core of what we do, and that’s why so much of our businesses is repeat business from customers.”
For more info on the Roo Attachments range, visit: rooattachments.com
Roo Attachments is expanding its reach, with sites opening in Victoria and Western Australia
Roo Attachments designs attachments for all major OEMS
Demonstrations of the new LiuGong 922F excavator by dealer Construction Distribution Australia (CDA), has left customers impressed by the enhanced features
LiuGong’s new 922F excavator has been making waves since its Australian release, with the machine touring key industry events, generating significant interest.
Making its debut in Sydney at the National Diesel Dirt & Turf expo in mid-May, the 22-tonne model was put through its paces at the event’s dig pit, demonstrating its performance. Since then, it has featured at one of Queensland’s largest machinery field days, FarmFest, and will continue to be seen at events across the country.
In addition, LiuGong’s trusted Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane dealer Construction Distribution Australia (CDA) – backed by the McIntosh Group – has been running local demonstrations of the 922F for customers in Brisbane.
“It’s given us the opportunity to provide greater exposure to LiuGong, the new model and the various new features over the previous E-series,” CDA Brisbane sales member Joe Plater says.
New and improved
As part of the local demonstrations, owners, operators and fleet managers have been able to step into the cabin and make full use of the machine on a site.
“They’ve all had the chance to utilise the machine, track it and have a dig with it as well,” Plater says.
Some of the feedback he’s been getting is just how comfortable this model is – a key improvement on the F-series compared to the E-series. This is due to a completely redesigned larger cabin with an
The LiuGong 922F made its debut at the National Diesel Dirt & Turf expo
air suspension seat and silicon oil shock absorbers, offering smoother operation and a greater feel over the controls.
“Feedback has been positive –demo attendees have remarked how smooth the hydraulics are and how beneficial it is to have programs that suit the operator and what tasks they’re doing at the time,” Plater says.
“Operators can adjust the hydraulics speed or cycle times if they want to make them quicker, or if their final trimming, they can suit it to that as well.
“The slew control has also improved to be smoother and more responsive, and it now feels like you’re one with the machine. The E-series and F-series both have quite a quick cycle time when digging, but the F-series gives you a better feel for the machine when you’re working.”
LiuGong Australia’s Liam McCormick adds all F Series excavators have updated operating features that incorporate advanced technologies, and the 922F is no different.
“All functions, including hydraulics,
Images: McIntosh Group
CDA Brisbane sales member Joe Plater
can be adjusted from inside the cab,” he says.
He adds the new electro-hydraulic system provides lightning-fast signals between the joysticks, pumps and valve blocks to deliver pinpoint precision and maximise available engine power, while new boom float technology improves performance and prolongs tool life by preventing excessive pressure during braking applications. It also reduces fuel consumption by allowing the boom to fall under its own mass.
The boom float, travel speed and proportional auxiliary controls are customisable and fingertip controlled.
The operator interface also is also now more intuitive and easier to use. A large, 8-inch LCD colour screen can
be controlled via touchscreen or by a fingertip navigational control dial conveniently located in the armrest control panel.
A lack of a direct drive fan is another key feature, with the excavator instead encompassing electric fans.
With six of these, Plater says only two fans will turn on gradually, enabling the machine to warm up quicker and ensure it is running at optimal performance.
Engineered with trusted components such as Kawasaki hydraulics and powered by a Cummins Stage III 124kW (167hp) engine, Platers adds that this model is highly fuel-efficient and can generate significant cost savings.
Three working modes are offered
Construction Distribution Australia has been running local demonstrations of the 922F in Brisbane
on the F-series – Power, Economy, and Standard – offering even greater control of the machine.
As the name suggests, Power mode is suited for working conditions that require high-work efficiency, while Economy mode focuses on operating conditions that promote fuel savings, and Standard provides a little bit of both worlds.
The 922F excavator comes as standard with a factory-fitted quick hitch and 1.1 cubic metre general purpose bucket.
Compared to other excavators in the 22-tonne size class, Plater says the 922F’s visibility and serviceability stand apart.
While it is obviously ideal for civil construction works, Plater says this model is also built to thrive in various other sectors, including quarrying, land clearing and agricultural use.
“We’re making sure potential customers know that this model is a premium machine,” he says.
“It is well-suited to Tier-1 companies in all aspects.”
For more information on the LiuGong 922F excavator, or to enquire about having a demonstration, speak to your local CDA representative or visit cdau.com.au
The 922F features a redesigned larger cabin
Top advocate
Burrows Plant Hire is so impressed with a Hercules wheel loader from Hercules Machinery Group that it is now a key point of contact for those looking to purchase the machine
Having versatile machinery is always going to be a benefit to a business, as it increases the number of jobs that can be taken on.
Wheel loaders can be seen as the pinnacle of machine versatility, suited to a range of sectors from civil construction, quarrying and agriculture to municipal works and waste management.
Peter Burrows of Burrows Plant Hire can attest to this, having been thrilled with the performance of his Hercules loader from Hercules Machinery Group (HMG) – formerly known as Brisbane Mini Excavator Sales – on local council work.
He’s such an advocate for it that HMG often directs potential customers to call Burrows for a review of the Hercules loader.
“The best part of the Hercules loader is that it’s very much a mechanical loader with very simple electrics,” Burrows explains.
“It’s not a complicated machine –there’s not a lot of components that
have the potential to break down. In the odd chance they do have an issue, most mechanics will be able to work on these loaders without an issue.”
Built for hire
The seed for Burrows Plant Hire was planted more than three decades ago, when Burrows was working for his stepfather’s civil company.
Using the experience he gained, he founded Burrows Plant Hire in 1996 and has been running it ever since.
Based on the Sunshine Coast, the business mainly serves local governments and councils, offering a variety of machinery, including excavators, bulldozers, compact track loaders, skid steers and wheel loaders.
One of these is a 12-tonne Hercules H1250-2 wheel loader, powered by a 180hp (132.4kW) genuine Cummins engine.
“It’s a perfect fit for us and the council work it’s doing,” Burrows says.
“It’s a good size, has good clearance, heaps of horsepower and it’ll fire up every morning without a worry – I can’t fault it.”
Being used to load a 10 cubic metre tip truck, the Hercules wheel loader makes use of a 1.7 cubic metre GP bucket and a four-tonne load capacity – two key stand outs.
In addition, it comes as standard with a hydraulic quick hitch, an air-conditioned cabin and a reverse camera.
While this loader has been the perfect fit for Burrows in local council work, HMG has also found these models to be quite popular in the beef industry and for the all-round use on rural properties, thriving in everything from moving hay to clearing country – reinforcing the versatility the machine provides.
Ongoing relationship
Many years ago, Burrows originally procured HMG’s 7-tonne Hercules H-700 wheel loader,
Burrows Plant Hire offers a Hercules H1250-2 wheel loader to its customers
Images: HMG
marking the beginning of an ongoing relationship.
“I had always seen their ads and they always stood out to me,” Burrows says.
“They have always been prevalent in the machinery literatures, and they have good gear.”
Before purchasing the H1250 model, Burrows was using a ‘lower quality’ loader from another brand. Looking to get a larger bucket for this loader, he instead came home with a larger machine.
“I spoke to HMG sales representative Ross Ricca for the part but ended up buying the loader,” he says.
“I decided I needed a bigger and a better-quality machine.”
Owning the Hercules H1250-2 wheel loader for about four years
now, Burrows says it has been a significant upgrade on the otherbranded machine. In his own words, the ‘lower quality’ loader just wasn’t doing the same job that his Hercules is currently doing.
HMG’s fully dedicated spare parts and service division has been critical for Burrows, with him buying parts for his excavators and relying on HMG’s trustworthy aftersales support.
In the rare cases that he’s had any machine issues, he says HMG has solved the problem “straight away with no questions asked”.
“I couldn’t fault them as a company, they supply a very good service,” he says.
“The quality for the price is really good – Hercules is great value for money. The brand also
runs good components like the Cummins engines.”
HMG’s machines are backed by a comprehensive warranty of 12 months parts and labour, with a further 12 months of parts cover.
Continuing to actively advocate for Hercules machinery, Burrows says it comes down to his relationship with HMG.
“Ross is often getting potential customers to call me about the wheel loader, so I’ll happily tell them how useful it has been for me,” he says.
“I don’t mind that at all, because I want to help him out with the product.”
For more information on the Hercules H1250-2 wheel loader, visit herculesmachinerygroup. com.au or call (07) 3807 4333.
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF CATERPILLAR
Generational duo
Pengelly’s Earthmoving has a 1974 Cat 130G grader and a 2024 Cat 160 all-wheel drive next gen grader
It’s been close to 50 years since Jack Pengelly’s family purchased its first Cat® grader from dealer William Adams. That machine is still thriving onsite today, now paired with an Australian-first model
Moving dirt has always been in the blood for Jack Pengelly of Pengelly’s Earthmoving, having been the third generation of his family to be involved in the industry.
The history of the business can be traced all the way back to 1966, when Jack’s late grandfather Tom founded his own business, which is still operational today, A&G Pengelly.
Offering earthmoving services based out of Werribee, A&G Pengelly grew quickly, and it wasn’t long
before Tom’s sons Gavan and Graham – Jack’s father and uncle –jumped on board to lend a hand.
“One of the first big projects my dad, his brother and my pop did together was the clean up after the West Gate Bridge collapsed [in 1970],” Jack says.
“They were using a Cat® 955K traxcavator from William Adams and the business snowballed from there.
“They started doing estate and road projects all through Werribee.
“My first introduction into the
industry was probably when I was four or five in kindergarten – going to work with my dad Gavan and my pop Tom.
“I would sit on the seat inside the grader that we still have today and just constantly look out the window to see what was going on.”
Growing up in and around earthmoving gear, and by his own account “even taking numerous days off school”, Jack was destined to have his own business.
In 2016 this dream came true, with Jack acquiring his first Cat 140M grader and launching Pengelly’s Earthmoving.
Jack has kept his own business true to his family roots, located also in Werribee, and specialises in grader contracting services for road and freeway projects throughout Melbourne – stretching as far as Phillip Island and Torquay.
Some of the business’ most recent projects include pavement works on the West Gate Freeway Upgrade, the Ballarat railway line upgrade and building crane pads to lift bridge beams over Footscray Road, as part of the West Gate Tunnel.
None of this would be possible without the reliability of the business’ Caterpillar equipment.
Images: Jamie Gray
Jack Pengelly grew up in and around many of the business’ machines
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF CATERPILLAR
The 1974 Cat 130G can still be seen working onsite today
Blast from the past
The original Cat 955K traxcavator from William Adams that Jack’s grandfather owned was the catalyst for the Pengelly family’s long relationship with Caterpillar.
In 1978, A&G Pengelly purchased a used 1974 Cat 130G grader from the local dealer, which had already clocked up 4,000 hours. However, nearly half a century later, it’s still going strong with Pengelly’s Earthmoving.
“It’s not used every day, but it’s there when we need it,” Jack says.
“To have something that old that’s still reliable and you can still get parts for it just goes to show how durable Cat machines are.”
To see any 50-year-old earthmoving machine operating onsite is a site to behold, let alone a Cat model, given the rarity of some of its historic equipment.
By taking great care of the 1974 Cat 130G, the Pengelly family has been able to preserve the machine for Jack to the point where it is still more than capable of getting the job done for him.
“If you look after it, it’ll look after you,” Jack says.
“Different things have needed to be fixed over time, but we continue to put brand new parts on it.”
Grader upgrade
Since first purchasing the Cat 130G back in 1978, both A&G Pengelly and Pengelly’s Earthmoving have continually chosen Cat machines due to several factors, including the backup support from William Adams, fuel-efficiency, comfortability and the resale value.
In late 2024, Jack procured a new Cat 160 all-wheel drive grader as an upgrade of his previous Cat 140M, marking a special occasion.
Compared to the smaller Cat 140M, Jack says his business’ latest Cat
grader makes use of a larger circle and carrier arms, which were some of the main reasons for the upgrade.
In addition, he says the Cat 160 is more fuel-efficient with a Cat C9.3 engine rather than a Cat C7 on the previous grader, as well as having the option to run a 16ft blade.
One of the standout features for Jack has been the cabin-integrated Cat AccuGrade® grade control system, which combines digital design data, in-cab operator guidance features, and automatic blade control to enhance grading accuracy and virtually eliminate the need for survey stakes.
“We use it every day because it allows us to run GPS and UTS in the grader, so we don’t need someone checking heights all day,” Jack says.
“Everything you need is displayed on a touchscreen in the cabin, so you see all polylines, pick what you want to do, and really fine tune that task.”
Looking back at the machines that his grandfather, father and uncle used, Jack says the technology and features were minimal compared to what is seen today.
Seeing the 50-year-old Cat 130G side by side with the latest Cat 160, the Pengelly’s Earthmoving machinery duo shows how far the design has evolved.
“Back in the day, you’d eat more dust than you’d move,” Jack says.
Jack’s Cat 160 all-wheel drive grader
“You’d go home and be covered in dirt from head to toe. Nowadays there’s the comfort of sealed cabs, air-conditioning, heaters, Bluetooth radios – it’s come a long way.”
In safe hands
Dealing with William Adams since the late seventies, the Pengelly family knows it is in good hands and will always have optimal backup support.
A&G Pengelly has bought various machines from William Adams over the years, both new and used, with that relationship having continued more recently with Pengelly’s Earthmoving.
“Nothing’s a drama, William Adams always has got you covered,” Jack says.
“The backup support is second to none, and it doesn’t matter where you
are – whether you’re on night shift, day shift, or working a long weekend – they’re there to help you to get the job done.”
William Adams’ WillCare Customer Value Agreement provides further peace of mind for Pengelly’s Earthmoving, offering a hassle-free ownership plan for its machinery.
“We don’t have to think about what’s going on with the machine, William Adams take care of everything,” Jack says.
“They tell us when it’s ready to be serviced and that’s one less thing we have to worry about when running the machine every day. We just go to work, do our thing, and away we go.”
Reflecting on his family’s 50-year history with William Adams, Jack says Pengelly’s Earthmoving is stoked to be a part of Caterpillar’s journey as it celebrates its 100th anniversary.
“Looking into the future, we’ll continue our relationship with Caterpillar and William Adams for years to come,” he says.
“Looking at how good the technology already is with the machines and where it can be in the future, I think it’ll be on another level.”
For more information on William Adams, visit www.williamadams.com.au
Pengelly’s Earthmoving is supported by Cat dealer William Adams
From left to right: Jack Pengelly, Gavan Pengelly, Alan Pengelly, Daniel Pengelly
Level up
With a new cab and hydraulic system, Volvo CE’s new EC360FL excavator heralds a new era for productivity and comfort
A new range of excavators from Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has been brought to Australia by CJD Equipment, with a range of upgrades boosting performance, fuel efficiency and comfort. With industry pressures like rising costs, skill shortages, and the need for smarter building, Volvo CE’s new excavator range timing could not be better. These nextgeneration excavators introduce a host of innovative technologies and engineering upgrades tailored to meet the demands of contractors and operators across Australia.
Replacing the EC350EL model is the new EC360FL5, which comes with a 299hp (223kW) Stage V engine, while the EC360FL3 Stage III 286hp (213kW) variant replaces the EC350DL model.
Volvo CE says the EC360 is suitable
for a variety of different applications, from quarries to digging trenches, with a lifting capacity along the undercarriage of 23 tonnes and a maximum digging depth of 10.8m.
“The design and overall look is what stands out with the new machines,” CJD Equipment national product engineering & training manager Volvo CE, Hayden Grant, says.
“The new cab design, features and added side entry access to the upper area gives the machines a fresh, modern look that makes it stand out.”
At the heart of the Volvo new series lies a sophisticated electrohydraulic system, using smart sensors that monitor operator movements and transmit real-time data to the main control valve. This results in greater precision, fewer errors and improved productivity.
“The benefit of the new electronic hydraulic system is that it allows more flexibility and controllability for the operator,” Grant says.
“The electronic main control valve is now controlled from the joystick, which means no more pilot hoses running in and out of the cab, so less vibration, noise, and risk of leaks, but most of all, less fatigue for the operator.
“As this is now an electrical signal, a lot can be customised by the operator and the reaction of each function can be tailored to the individual operator, such as boom movement speed, shock reduction and hydraulic priority.
“There’s also an optional Creep Mode, Active Control – which is an add-on to Dig Assist for automating repetitive tasks and setting boundary limits to
Images: CJD Equipment
prevent overdigging – and Comfort Drive Control.”
The EC360FL5 also includes a more efficient main pump and more powerful engine, with greater fuel efficiency achieved through lower engine speed with greater pump displacement, a more efficient hydraulic pump and an optimised main control valve.
Inside the cab, there has been a makeover with the standard build now featuring the deluxe operator’s seat with air suspension, three-step vent/heating system, electric lumbar adjustment and X-isolator.
“There’s also a new 12-inch [30.5cm] HD Co-Pilot display, heated and cooled storage, boot storage, an L8 joystick, high mount footrest, Volvo Smart View camera and keyless start,” Grant says.
“On the servicing side of things, a fuel shut-off valve prevents leakage when changing the filter, there’s an
The new EC360FL comes with the option of either a Tier III or Stage V engine
external fuel level indicator and the AdBlue tank can be filled from ground level. The filters are also grouped and we use cartridge filters to make it easier for replacement.”
For more information on the new Volvo CE series of excavators, visit: www.cjd.com.au
Side access with steps to the cab
Maintenance is easy with a top hatch
Growing together
Wodonga land developer Nordcon is continuing to expand its fleet with several new JCB excavators, a backhoe loader and a skid steer loader
Sitting on the border of Victoria and NSW, the twin city of AlburyWodonga is a hub of growth, with family-owned land developer Nordcon having been central to its expansion for many decades.
Speaking with managing director Eric Pietila, the son of Nordcon founder Jorma (Norm) Pietila, he describes his family business as primarily a development company that undertakes its own civil works, with several JCB machines
purchased from Australia dealer CEA having recently joined the fleet.
Norm’s background was in sewer and drainage in Melbourne, Eric explains, having emigrated from Finland in 1959. With a push towards decentralisation and the expansion of regional cities like AlburyWodonga, Norm saw opportunities in the area to grow his own business, moving north in 1973.
“It was around 1983 when we purchased our first parcel of land,
with another Finnish company, the Alatalo brothers,” Eric says.
“They were builders, so we did joint venture with them. Since then we continued to buy land and develop the region.
“In 2007 the Albury Wodonga Development Corporation was disbanded and the government sold off their broadacre parcels. We acquired a significant portion of that, so we now have around 75 per cent of the market here in Wodonga, with plans to further expand on the Albury side as well.
“We’ve built at least half of the town roads in in Wodonga over the last 50 years.”
As part of its development work, Nordcon uses its own fleet of machinery to build roads, undertake earthworks and lay the sewerage, water, drainage, power and telecoms.
“We’ve got at least 100 pieces of equipment,” Eric says.
“Over the last 12 months we’ve been buying in some JCB machinery to give the brand a go.”
The fleet now includes two 20-tonne 220X excavators, a 14-tonne JZ140DLC excavator, a fivetonne 55Z1 mini excavator, two 1.7tonne 18Z mini excavators, a 5CX
Images:
Nordcon
Nordcon managing director Eric Pietila
Nordcon’s JCB 220X excavator
Several
backhoe loader and a 215 THF skid steer loader.
He says the business decided to give a JCB mini excavator a go after purchasing Dynapac rollers
from local dealer CEA. With great feedback from the operators, Eric says was an easy decision to try out a range of other machinery from the brand as well.
“The feedback I’m getting from our operators is that they like the JCBs, they’re good to operate and very comfortable,” Eric says.
“They’re very good on fuel. We’ve operated many different brands over the years, and it’s as good as any of the opposition, if not better than many of them.
“We’re fortunate in that we have a very good rep here looking after us as well.”
With significant development underway for a new town centre in Baranduda, Eric says Nordcon has a strong plan for future growth in the coming decades, with JCB proving to be a great addition to the business.
“We’re constantly looking for great deals as we update machines,” Eric says.
“We have a very good relationship with CEA and with 25 to 30 years of development ahead of us, there’s a lot going on up here at the moment.”
For more information on the JCB range of machinery available from CEA, visit: jcbcea.com.au
JCB excavators have now joined Nordcon’s fleet
Fuel efficiency has been a key standout for Nordcon
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF CATERPILLAR
Caterpillar® through generations
As a life-long Caterpillar® enthusiast, Hutchings Plant Hire director Mark Hutchings not only enjoys Cat® machinery at work, but also in his leisure through the Antique Caterpillar Machinery Owners Club
Family business Hutchings Plant Hire has a significant history providing earthmoving contracting services to customers in country southwestern Victoria since its inception in 1980.
Based in the town of Beaufort, an area with a large farming presence, the business has diversified over time to suit the agricultural market.
Starting off with a grader and working primarily on farms, Hutchings Plant Hire has done everything from broadacre drainage works, track maintenance and log haulage in the timber industry, to supporting the local and state government with road and fire suppression works for national parks and state forests.
Many longstanding relationships have been formed throughout the journey, none more prevalent than with the Cat® brand and its local dealer William Adams.
“Caterpillar has been a big part of our family for 40 years,” Hutchings Plant Hire director Mark Hutching says.
“My father was a boilermaker, and he did a lot of work on Cat equipment in his early days, so he injected the yellow blood into me.
“I’ve been a big fan of Caterpillar bulldozers since I was a little fella and now my two young boys have been injected with the yellow blood as well, so we’ve got a few generations of Caterpillar enthusiasts within the family.”
Loyal to the brand
In the early days of the business with his father at the helm, Mark was unsure what he wanted to do with his career, and started an apprenticeship at William Adams in 1999.
Already a huge fan of Cat equipment, he became even more heavily invested into the brand as he completed his qualification as a diesel mechanic.
It was at this time that Mark joined his father to help with the family business, which already owned a Cat 12G grader.
“Before I started my apprenticeship, we didn’t have that much Cat gear,” Mark says.
“We were a customer of William Adams, having purchased the Cat 12G grader, but the relationship became much stronger once I finished the apprenticeship.”
That proof is now in the pudding, with Hutchings Plant Hire’s fleet today only featuring Cat equipment, including a Cat 12H grader, a Cat 140M grader, a Cat 315 excavator and a Cat CS56B vibratory soil compactor – all bought from William Adams.
This move was led by Mark after taking over the reins of the business. He adds that the also business has two Challenger tractors – which were originally made by Caterpillar –equipped with laser buckets, further highlighting the Hutchings family’s connection to Cat equipment.
“I’ve always had a really good experience with William Adams, partly because I worked there and I already had some existing relationships with a lot of people,” Hutchings says.
Images: Jamie Gray/Hutchings Plant Hire
The Hutchings family has a connection to Cat equipment through three generations. From left to right: Jamie, Carol, Simone, Mark, Thomas and Benji Hutchings
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF CATERPILLAR
“Hutchings Plant Hire has had a strong relationship with William Adams for more 25 years.”
Mark says one of the largest benefits of having Cat equipment is the efficiency of its GPS technology, including the Cat Grade with 3D control system, which has been integrated onto the Cat 140M grader. This technology combines digital design data, in-cab operator guidance
features, and automatic blade control to enhance grading accuracy and virtually eliminate the need for survey stakes.
“The works that we do involve very small tolerances in large areas, and the efficiency that GPS can bring to that operation has been a real big game changer for us,” he says.
“Using this technology with our grader has meant improved
working tolerances for our civil construction customers when doing tricky site designs in commercial and domestic subdivisions.”
Fighting fires
Over the past few years, Hutchings Plant Hire has worked significantly with Victorian government organisations such as the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate
Hutchings Plant Hire director
Mark Hutchings has a collection of historic Cat machinery
Hutchings Plant Hire’s machinery fleet only features Cat equipment, supported by local dealer William Adams
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF CATERPILLAR
The Cat 140M grader has been integrated with the Cat Grade with 3D control system, which has improved efficiency for the business
Action (DEECA) and Forest Fire Management to tackle bushfires. With country Victoria highly prone to bushfires in summer, Mark says Hutchings Plant Hire is on the preferred contractor list to lend a hand with its machinery when needed.
Supplying its Cat graders and other-branded water trucks, the business can build fire breaks and provide extra water supply for firefighting units.
Once a fire is put out, Hutchings Plant Hire will often conduct rehabilitation works with its graders on private properties or farms.
“Being available 24/7 to support the community has been something that we’ve done for quite a long time and we’ve been particularly busy in the last 12 months with a few fires in our local area,” Mark says.
“We had a massive fire very close to home last year and we were on that job for about three months.
This year, we had the Grampians fires, which we also supported.
“Normally this isn’t a huge part of our business, but it’s a privilege for us to be able to be involved in that part of our industry.”
Antique machinery
Mark’s passion for Caterpillar equipment is not only seen onsite, but also in his spare time, collecting and restoring vintage models that he can get his hands on.
He explains his historic Cat collection has been ongoing since he was around 10 years old, which was when he received his first vintage model – a 1930 Caterpillar Twenty-Two tractor.
This model was originally purchased brand-new by his late
grandfather, who passed it on to Mark and his father. It was fairly run down when they received it, but they were determined to restore it.
“My grandfather was still around at the time, so he was helping us out and showing us bits and pieces,” Mark says.
“My passion for collecting vintage Cat machines grew from there. One became two, two became four and it was around this time I started the William Adams apprenticeship, so I just became more indoctrinated with Caterpillar.
“From my last count, we have more than 20 vintage Cat machines, including D2 and D4s among many others. Some of it we’ve fully restored and some of it has been collected for parts, but the collection is always growing.”
Having shared his interest for vintage machinery while
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF CATERPILLAR
undertaking his apprenticeship, Mark was introduced to the USAbased Antique Caterpillar Machinery Owners Club (ACMOC). The community is much like a vintage car club, with its members all sharing a common interest of historic Cat machines.
At the time Mark joined the club, it had various chapters throughout the world, but at that point none in Australia.
“In 2014, I was attending our local machinery rally at Lake Goldsmith and Caterpillar was the theme of this particular rally,” Mark says.
“Speaking to like-minded enthusiasts, we decided to start our own Australian chapter of the American club – chapter 19, which now covers the southeastern part of Australia, including Victoria and Tasmania.
“We do lots of little catch ups and
rallies, plus we have our facility at Lake Goldsmith as our home base. As far as Caterpillar is concerned, we’ve got a bit of everything from stationary engines, crawlers and bulldozers to graders and traxcavators. We have quite a large collection.”
Having been on the committee since its inception, Mark is also the current president – a title he has held for the last several years.
Seeing significant growth since 2014, Mark says chapter 19 is now one of the largest and most active ACMOC Chapters in the world.
Now, additional chapters have opened up in southern New South Wales and eastern South Australia, showing the passion for Cat machinery Down Under.
With Caterpillar celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, Mark says ACMOC chapter 19 has participated in several additional
rallies recently, highlighting the development of Cat equipment over the last century.
Just as Caterpillar is looking forward to its next 100 years, Mark adds he’s looking forward to his boys one day joining Hutchings Plant Hire to continue its growth and its great relationship with William Adams.
“The support we get from William Adams, including the parts availability system and the help we can get over the phone, is second to none,” he says.
“With the next generation loudly knocking on the door, the future looks bright, and with William Adams and Caterpillar assisting, we’re sure it will be successful.”
For more information on William Adams or ACMOC, visit www.williamadams.com.au or www.acmoc.org
Mark is president of Chapter 19 of the Antique Caterpillar Machinery Owners Club
Antique Caterpillar Machinery Owners Club members share a common interest of historic Cat machines
Mark’s son Thomas recently competed in the Hard Quiz Kids TV program, in which he was quizzed on the models of Cat machinery
WITH TWO KEESTRACK R6H IMPACT CRUSHERS IN OPERATION, THIS SITE IS PRODUCING:
• 20mm road base (Class 2 & Class 3)
• 10mm, 20mm and 40mm aggregates and crusher dust
This setup is delivering major cost savings across the board, from capital outlay, fuel and wear, to maintenance, parts and labour. Plus, it’s reducing downtime and streamlining operations.
Built for performance across recycling, concrete crushing, quarry and aggregate production, even with the toughest materials like paddock and volcanic rock. The R6H is one of the most productive impactors on the market.
New and used units are available now. Get more from every crush with the Keestrack R6H!
owners Sam and Raine Veale are Diamond Mowers converts, with the Queensland-based business bringing a targeted approach to handling invasive species in native forest
For forestry mulching business
Protrax Vegetation Management, a pair of Diamond Mowers attachments from Colbrook Industries are providing the power and precision needed to handle invasive vegetation in koala habitat. With a strong focus on sustainability and the recycling of green waste back into the ground, owners Sam and Raine Veale have developed their business providing invasive weed removal, bushfire risk management and land clearance services in South East Queensland. Having started off in 2018 as a small
earthworks business, Raine explains that it wasn’t long before they noticed a gap in the market for forestry clearance work, particularly with the local area being heavily agricultural.
“We purchased an ASV from Dakota Contracting in Victoria, and they run Diamond Mowers attachments, so that’s how we connected to Colbrook and started using the Diamond Mowers equipment,” Raine says.
“We’ve still got our other attachments but everything that we purchase now is the Diamond brand.”
Managing invasive species
Working with a range of clients, from developers and councils to farmers clearing land, Raine says that the majority of Protrax’s work is focused on removing pest vegetation such as lantana and bamboo as well as bushfire management.
With a significant portion of their operating area containing protected koala habitat, Raine explains that having the right machinery and attachments is vital in order to undertake selective clearing that doesn’t damage native vegetation.
“We have ecologically sensitive areas here, which means that we have to be extra thoughtful on our end to ensure that we stay within the guidelines and the laws,” she says.
“We run an ASV RT-120 forestry posi-track loader, which we’ve tuned up to 143 horsepower, and a Kubota skid steer that we’ve tuned up to 110 horsepower. The two Diamond Mowers attachments we have are the 72-inch SK brush cutter Pro X and the 72-inch SK drum mulcher Pro X.
“We normally run a tag team where our big machine goes in first, and then our smaller machine follows and cleans everything up.
Protrax entered Diamond Mowers’ March Mulch Madness competition and won with this shot of its SK drum mulcher Pro X hard at work on the Sunshine Coast
Images:
Protrax Vegetation Management
The Diamond Mowers mulchers gives Protrax the flexibility needed to handle vegetation in sensitive areas
“With the Diamond Mowers attachments we’re nimble enough that we can clear those weed species without having an impact on that surrounding native vegetation.
“Especially with the lantana, it’s fast growing and poisonous to livestock, which is why farmers need to get rid of it, but it’s also a hindrance for koalas as they can’t move through it, it’s like a spider web.”
Standout
For Protrax, a key stand-out on the Diamond Mowers drum mulcher is the ability to change teeth to better suit different materials, as well as have a mixture of different kinds of teeth on the same drum.
“With other brands of mulcher, you have to run just one type of tooth over the whole drum, whereas with Diamond Mowers, the teeth are all weighted and calibrated the same, so we can put them wherever we want on the drum depending on what we’re grinding,” Raine says.
“This means we can change the pattern of the teeth to get the most productivity out of it.
“The brush cutter is great for when we need to clear out larger areas of softer vegetation, like lantana or wild tobacco, and it produces a fine mulch finish.”
Raine explains that this ability to customise their approach and achieve a high-quality mulched product that can be returned to the soil is a major benefit for a business that is aiming to change the perception of land clearance from
the destroying of native vegetation to the removal of invasive and damaging species.
“There is always going to be a need for clearing, so when you do need to clear, let’s do it in the most eco-friendly and sustainable way possible, which is what we’re doing,” she says.
“We’re not cutting down a tree, putting it through a chipper and then selling the mulch to someone to put in their garden, we’re recycling every leaf and every stick back into where it came from, and we’re not taking those nutrients away.”
Collaborative community
When asked how Colbrook Industries has helped support Protrax, Raine points to a strong relationship where the Diamond Mowers dealer is on hand at any time to help the team get the most out of its mowers.
“We’ve had excellent aftercare and they are very easy to deal with,” she says.
“We know that they care about
us and we’re not just a number to them. They’re a small family business too and we’re all part of this community together.
“We’ve found that our industry in general has a strong community, where the mulching contractors all try and help each other out and Colbrook’s part of that as well.”
That community came together earlier this year to vote Protrax to the number one spot in Diamond Mowers’ March Mulch Madness competition. With a photo of its SK drum mulcher Pro X mulching a tree on the Sunshine Coast, Protrax took the win – the only Australian company in the finals.
“It was a bit of fun,” Raine says.
“There was a lot of social interaction, a bit of banter. It was great to see the photos and what the other teams in America and Canada were doing with their mulchers.”
For more information on the Diamond Mowers range, visit: www.colbrookindustries.com.au
Protrax uses its 72-inch SK brush cutter
Pro X to clear softer vegetation
After seeing a gap in the market, Protrax turned from earthworks to forestry mulching
Shantui DH17-C3 with Power-Angle-Tilt (PAT) Blade
The Power-Angle-Tilt (PAT) blade is one of the most versatile dozer blades, known for its ability to move in six directions (up, down, left, right, and tilting side to side). This range of motion gives operators excellent control, making it perfect for civil engineering projects, building site constructions, roadworks, golf course constructions and tasks like grading, working on slopes, and landscaping, all where precision is key. Its flexibility allows operators to adjust on the go, even on uneven surfaces, for smooth and accurate results.
Shantui DH17-C3 bulldozer - 19.223 tonne with Weichai 152kW (204hp) 1800rpm engine, full hydrostatic drive, PAT blade (power angle tilt), three shank rear rippers, 510mm/560mm/610mm track shoes and track guard plates, engine side guards, battery isolated lockout switch, warning lights and LED lights, air-conditioned ROPS cabin with radio, suspension seat, and fire extinguisher. Optional: forestry protection, heavy duty plates, alligator type joining links, sealed and lubricated track chains (SALT), rear camera, air-suspension seat, and more.
Contact us to build a machine specific to your requirements. We sell a full range of earthmoving equipment including graders, loaders, excavators, and rollers, as well as bulldozers. New machines are sold with a double warranty: the Shantui factory warranty backed by our respected Cobra warranty for direct and reliable one-on-one support.
McCloskey International’s mobile compact crushing range is the latest offering of the business
Trusted supplier
888 Crushing and Screening Equipment offers a range of heavy-duty machinery, including the McCloskey compact crushing range, which packs the power of a full-sized plant with enhanced mobility
Since 2010, 888 Crushing and Screening Equipment has gained a reputation as one of the most trusted names in the sector, through the supply and support of machinery built for some of the toughest environments.
Based in Oldbury, south of Perth, the Western Australian business supplies a range of heavy-duty crushing and screening equipment, as well as everything from conveyors and stackers to washing and recycling equipment.
888CSE distributes several major brands and is the exclusive supplier
of McCloskey International crushers, screens and conveyors for WA, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
With vast industry knowledge – including team members with over 30 years’ experience in these specialised fields – 888CSE understands the importance of efficiency, functionality and, most importantly, machinery uptime.
That’s why it aims to provide premium solutions to its customers of several industries, such as quarrying, mining and recycling.
To make life easier for customers choosing equipment, 888CSE offers
several options to suit your specific needs, with the sales of both new and top-quality used machinery, as well as short and long-term hire options.
All second-hand equipment is carefully inspected to ensure it is in excellent condition, so customers have access to reliable machinery at a reduce cost.
The same can be said for 888CSE’s hire equipment, which is complemented by complete on-site training and support.
Compact crushing
One of the newest offerings of the business is McCloskey International’s mobile compact crushing range, featuring the I3cR and I4cR impact crushers.
Both models are designed to produce similar performance to a full-sized crushing plant, with the benefits of enhanced mobility and easier transport.
Weighing in at 27 tonnes, the McCloskey I3cR is packed with all the features needed for a complete closed-circuit crushing operation, including onboard screening and recirculating conveyors.
888CSE says the machine’s compact frame and lightweight design provide better access to sites that larger crushers may struggle with, making it well-suited to small to mid-size recycling operations and quarry owners.
On the larger scale, the 42-tonne
Images: 888CSE
888 also distributes several other major brands
The McCloskey I3cR is well-suited to small to mid-size recycling operations and quarry owners
McCloskey I4cR is an ideal choice for operators that require increased capacity, while still providing similar mobility on site.
This model is a fully contained crushing, screening and stockpiling plant, with all closed-circuit options included.
Designed to be deployed quickly and easily in a variety of settings, 888CSE says it offers an impressive performance-to-size ratio.
Both mobile impact crushing models can provide greater flexibility over fixed-plant machines and include on-board screening and recirculating conveyor options.
Making use of diesel hydraulic technology, 888CSE says this feature offers easier servicing capabilities for
many contractors – ensuring costly downtime is kept to a minimum.
Backup support
The importance of having spare parts on-hand for customers can’t be understated and it’s why 888CSE carries an extensive range of spare and wear parts that are readily available, not only for its own range of equipment but also other brands. Even the most reliable equipment can break down on occasion and with parts and service depots conveniently located in Perth and Adelaide, 888CSE aims to get your machine back up and running as quickly as possible.
Through its dedication to providing the very best aftersales support,
888CSE has built strong relationships with its client base, evidenced by many repeat customers.
When deciding on what equipment to procure, the 888CSE factorytrained sales team can assist by advising what would be best for your operations.
Rather than supplying machinery that’s not suitable for a specific job, the 888CSE sales team has the experience to explain why a piece of equipment will meet requirements and if it won’t, why not – instilling further confidence in customers that a new machine will thrive on a specific site.
For more information, visit 888cse. com.au or call (08) 9550 6388.
The McCloskey I4cR is an ideal choice for operators that require increased capacity, while still providing similar mobility
Crushing needs
Jaws Crushers Australia has recently been appointed the national dealer for Rubble Master’s mobile crushing and screening equipment
For 25 years, Jaws Crushers
Australia has specialised in the supply of compact crushing and screening equipment, radial stackers and shredders.
Offering both sales and hire options, the business covers a large customer base from its sites in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Alice Springs.
Jaws Crushers’ flagship products come from Komplet – an Italian brand that has been used in waste recycling in Australia over two decades.
As an authorised dealer, Jaws Crushers supplies various models of Komplet equipment and has recently introduced an innovative piece of machinery that combines the capabilities of a crusher with a shredder, all in a 15-tonne compact package – the Komplet Krokodile.
“It’s really taken over the market,” Jaws Crushers owner Craig Wills says.
“Not only can it crush materials like rock, asphalt, bitumen, bricks and concrete, but it can also shred waste like timber, garden rubbish and tyres with just a simple swap of shafts.
“This makes it fantastic for skipping companies and waste facilities.”
Other Komplet products offered by Jaws Crushers include the Kompatto 221 tracked screen, Kompatto 5030 tracked scalping screen, K-TS 40 mobile trommel screen and the K-JC 704 jaw crusher.
Trusted partner
Jaws Crushers has also recently been appointed the Australian dealer for Rubble Master mobile crushing and screening equipment.
“Rubble Master are an Austrian company with a presence in 130 countries worldwide,” Craig says.
“They specialise in 25–50-tonne machines and have been in the Australian market for 35 years.”
As part of this new partnership, Jaws Crushers will be introducing the RM 70GO 2.0 compact impact crusher to the Australian market for the very first time.
Weighing in at 19.5 tonnes with no options, this model is designed to have all the features of a full-sized crushing plant in a smaller package.
This includes an on-board screen and return conveyor for a closedloop production, magnetic separator and more. Craig says this is an ideal choice for smaller producers and those who want to start small but grow fast.
“We’re introducing the RM 70GO to Australia so customers can procure a crusher at a more affordable price point,” he says.
“The first five machines in Australia will be sold for $590,000 plus GST.”
For customers looking for a
larger option and more power, Jaws Crushers will also be offering the 29.6-tonne – including screen attachment – RM 90GO compact impact crusher.
This is in addition to the RM 100X tracked impact crusher, weighing 35.8 tonnes with a screening attachment, and the 45.6-tonne RM 120X mobile impactor with a screening attachment.
Craig adds all Rubble Master models have a closed circuit return feature.
“These impact crushers are wellsuited to contract crushing, as well as waste facilities, and recyclers that want to produce a 10mm or 20mm spec product, which has got a high resale value,” he says.
“The beauty of these machines is that they make a very good product in that range. The 120X is also designed for quarries and large jobs requiring up to 3,000 tonnes per day.”
In addition to the Komplet models and the new Rubble Master range, Jaws Crushers also offers Ezystak radial stackers in 65ft and 80ft models, and a variety of Jaws attachments, including screening buckets, rotating grabs and pulverisers.
“We’re releasing a new pulveriser with an inbuilt magnet,” Craig says.
“With each of our machines purchased, we’ll be giving away the new Jaws”
For more information, visit jawscrushers.com.au or call Craig Wills on 0417 650 414.
Jaws Crushers owner Craig Wills with the Rubble Master RM 120X mobile impactor
Images: Jaws Crushers
Jaws Crushers is an authorised dealer of a range of Komplet equipment, including the Krokodile
Nationwide expansion
ITR Pacific powers ahead with major facility expansions across Australia
In a bold and exciting move that reflects the momentum of Australia’s construction and earthmoving sectors, ITR Pacific is entering a new chapter of growth.
The company has officially commenced its relocation to a brandnew facility in Yatala, Queensland –just a stone’s throw from its current location. But this is far more than a local upgrade. It marks the beginning of a nationwide expansion strategy that will see ITR Pacific significantly increase its operational footprint across the country over the next six to 12 months.
The new Yatala head office and warehouse is a striking signal of the company’s confidence in the Australian market. At three times the size of its existing premises, this stateof-the-art building provides the space and resources necessary to support ITR Pacific’s continued growth in product range, stock levels and customer service capabilities.
From undercarriage components and GET systems to final drives and machine repair parts, the expanded facility is designed to handle it all –more efficiently and at greater scale.
According to the ITR Pacific leadership team, the move to this much larger space will allow for improved inventory management, faster turnaround times and a better overall experience for their customer base, which spans the civil, mining and agricultural sectors. The larger footprint also allows for more streamlined logistics, enhanced training and support spaces, and room to accommodate a growing team of experts.
But the transformation doesn’t stop in Queensland. ITR Pacific is rolling out similar upgrades in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth – each set to relocate into substantially larger facilities over the coming months.
These new premises will allow each branch to better meet local demand while maintaining strong national supply chain links. It’s a clear demonstration that the company is not just keeping pace with industry growth, it’s positioning itself as a leader for the long haul.
ITR Pacific is part of the global USCO ITR Group, one of the world’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of aftermarket earthmoving parts.
Since establishing itself in Australia, ITR Pacific has steadily built a reputation for reliability, product quality and responsive service. Their presence in key regions has been instrumental in ensuring rapid delivery of critical components, reducing machine downtime for operators and contractors alike.
The months ahead will mark an exciting period of transformation for ITR Pacific, with each new facility unlocking greater capacity, improved service capabilities and a stronger national presence. As the Yatala headquarters comes online and additional branches follow suit, the company’s commitment to longterm investment in the Australian market is clear.
Further developments from ITR Pacific’s expansion journey are expected to follow soon, and all signs point to a well-executed strategy focused on supporting the evolving needs of the earthmoving and construction industries. It’s a growth story worth watching closely.
For more information on ITR Pacific, visit: www.itrpacific.com.au
ITR Pacific has relocated to a new facility in Yatala, Queensland
Image:
Converge Expo 2025
Get your ticket now for Australia’s newest construction expo and conference
Converge Expo 2025 is nearly here, with speakers and exhibitors being finalised.
Taking place on September 17–18, 2025 in Melbourne, now is the time to register for Converge Expo, which will be a one-stop shop for the municipal works, commercial and civil construction sectors in Australia.
Built for sub-contractors, project engineers, council fleet manager and large-scale construction firms,
hear from some of Australia’s most ambitious infrastructure, transport and construction projects, including:
• Inland Rail
• Suburban Rail Loop Authority
• McConnell Dowell
• UGL
• Viva Energy
• Suburban Connect
• Urban Core
• NexGen
• Procore Technologies
There will be live product demonstrations, equipment showcases, several conference stages and networking functions. Across two full days at Melbourne’s Convention and Exhibition Centre you’ll hear from more than 50 expert speakers sharing insights, strategies, and solutions.
Register for your ticket now at convergeexpo.com.au
Adam Copp – Infrastructure Australia
Adam Copp, CEO of Infrastructure Australia, is joining the Converge Expo 2025 program with a keynote on ‘Building the Country’s Infrastructure and Housing Workforce’. With labour shortages affecting everything from housing to renewable energy, Adam will explore what these challenges mean across project types – and what needs to happen to ensure Australia has the skilled workforce to
Inland Rail
One of the most significant infrastructure projects ever undertaken by the Australian government, Inland Rail is a 1,600km rail freight network connecting Melbourne and Brisbane via regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Once complete, it will enable freight
deliver its future infrastructure pipeline. Appointed CEO in 2023, Adam brings deep experience across public policy, infrastructure and strategy, including senior roles at Infrastructure Australia and the Council of Australian Governments. He is also a board director at the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council and a member of the Advisory Board to Planet Ark’s Australian Circular Economy Hub.
to travel between the two cities in under 24 hours.
Ed Walker, acting COO, will share an insider’s view of this nation-building project – from current works and lessons learned to what lies ahead –offering invaluable insights into the complexities of large-scale project delivery.
Katie O’Malley – BMD Group
Katie O’Malley, general manager of corporate affairs at BMD Group, joins the Converge Expo 2025 program with a keynote that challenges traditional ESG thinking: ‘Sustainability beyond materials and metrics’.
In this session, O’Malley will show how sustainability reporting – when
strategically embraced – can move beyond compliance to become a catalyst for innovation and long-term value creation. She will explore how fostering collaborative partnerships, empowering employees and differentiating in the market can turn sustainability into a powerful lever.
Inland Rail project. Image: Inland Rail
Inland Rail project. Image: Inland Rail
Katie O’Malley. Image: BMD Group
SYDNEY BASED EQUIPMENT
YANMARC10R minidumper,dieselpowered, hydrostaticforwardandreverse,1ton capacity,isonly950wide for tightsites, workedonly550hours,runswell.S481. TA1255779.
C.W.E.ROCKTUNGSTONCOREDRILLS Rock drillingbits,largecorebarreltungstentippedbits, C.W.E.brand,1x1100diameterrockbit,1x1050 diameterrockbitand1x900diameterdiggingbit.3 bitsallingoodorder,have200mmsquaredrive,price for $11,000+GST
BRIDGESTONE2100X35Radials 2024, Tyres, brandnew,Bridgestone2100x35,VSteelE Lugradials,4available,bigsaving off new price.New.A486. $7,000+GST
Mobile Crisis Construction is on a mission to accelerate a return to normality for those in disaster zones by deploying mobile factories that transform crushed rubble into recycled interlocking blocks, helping quickly rebuild damaged infrastructure
When news first broke of the devastation caused from the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine it gripped the world.
Damage has been extensive, with critical Ukrainian infrastructure that once stood tall reduced to rubble, leaving many civilians without emergency shelter.
It’s unimaginable to think of the cost and time it would take to rebuild these structures that were people’s homes and businesses, but one charity has a mission to accelerate this process – Mobile Crisis Construction (MCC).
Rapid rebuilding
Co-founded by Western Australian engineers Nic Matich and Blake Stacey in 2019, MCC was born as a viable solution that aids communities in rebuilding quickly following a disaster. Creating mobile block factories
that transform crushed rubble and waste into recycled interlocking blocks, MCC’s units enable faster replacement of damaged infrastructure.
Housed in containers, these mobile factories can be deployed
MCC can deploy mobile block factories that transform crushed rubble and waste into recycled interlocking blocks
anywhere in the world, arriving ready to be fully operational with minimal local input. The use of the interlocking design is key, enabling the blocks to be laid without the need for mortar or skilled labour.
So how does the machine work? Firstly, debris and rubble are crushed with an MCC mill to under 5mm. It is then mixed with local claytype materials like soils and mine tailings, before cement and water is added. After this, the mix goes into a hopper and forms the blocks with a specialised press.
The cement-based blocks can then be stacked to cure and harden for seven days prior to construction, reaching full strength after 28 days.
“When we initially came up with the idea to house the mobile factory in a container, we realised that it would be very useful in crisis zones around the world,” Stacey says.
“You can drop a container and a mill and then local waste or rubble from disasters can be turned into brick-like blocks.”
All the blocks – and the walls and pavers produced – are earthquake, fire and cyclone resistant, offering superior strength compared to conventional brickwork.
“There are small holes in the blocks, about 20mm in diameter, which allow rebar to go up through the centre and be tied at the top,” Matich explains.
“If a structure starts to shake in a
The use of the interlocking design is key, enabling the blocks to be laid without the need for skilled labour
Images:
disaster, the rebar holds it together, as opposed to normal masonry, which would fracture along the mortar.”
MCC initially aimed to use these machines to respond to natural disasters, including the recent Myanmar and Vanuatu earthquakes, as well as the 2022 Tongan Tsunami.
However, without sufficient funding, the registered charity was unable to deploy multiple mobile block factories, which could have been an invaluable re-building resource.
“Donations often depend on the length of the news cycle,” Stacey says.
“The Myanmar earthquake went in and out of the news in about two weeks, but I bet they’re probably still struggling to rebuild.
“It’s very hard to raise money based on a news story that’s not drawn out over a long period of time.”
Crisis deployment
Currently, MCC is focused on providing emergency shelters and aiding rebuilding efforts for those affected in the ongoing Russia Ukraine war, with MCC’s first mobile block factory in Ukraine currently being set up by local volunteers.
It’s first task is to make blocks to build 10 houses. Since this is the first unit of its kind in Ukraine and the team of volunteers lack any earthmoving equipment, Matich says it may take a couple of months to get everyone on board.
“They’re just starting to set it up – a few test blocks have been made with some local materials and they’re happy with what the mobile factory has produced,” he says.
“We’ve got a lot of Ukrainian contacts now and I believe that, once the mobile block factory is up and running, the world will take notice and donate.”
Each mobile factory requires AU$120,000 to be shipped to Ukraine, with the cost covering not just the machine, but also the testing of materials, teaching locals how to use the unit and a quality assurance visit.
Depending on donations, MCC
aims to deploy many more mobile factories in Ukraine, especially as the conflict continues.
“Ukraine is introducing a new standard for schools and public buildings, in which they have to be war-resistant, which is really sad,” Stacey says.
“Structures will be required to have rebar in there, even though they don’t necessarily need it for earthquakes or cyclones.”
Whilst MCC’s current focus is on Ukraine, the charity sees a future where it can respond to crisis throughout the world, including
other places facing conflict such as Gaza and Syria.
Bold vision
MCC’s vision is to grow to the point where multiple mobile brick factories are procured and on standby to be rapidly deployed post-disaster to anywhere in the world.
By having the units ready-to-go, MCC could quickly and effectively respond to disasters such as the Myanmar earthquake, since there would be no waiting time needed to raise AU$120,000.
“We hope we can get to that point, so we can be part of the standard response and develop relationships with large organisations such as the United Nations, the Red Cross and Engineers Without Borders,” Matich says.
In addition to its disaster work abroad, MCC is also currently working with an Indigenous foundation in Australia that aims to purchase the mobile block factories, so it can build homes for Indigenous peoples.
Waste tailings from local mining companies will be used as the raw material in the mobile unit to produce the interlocking blocks used to make the homes.
“That’s hopefully coming together for northern Western Australia in the next six months,” Stacey says.
“This could be beneficial anywhere around Australia, because we’ve got lots of mines and lots of tailings.”
For more info, visit
The recycled interlocking blocks enable faster replacement of damaged infrastructure
Co-founder Blake Stacey with one of the mobile block factories housed in a container
Supply and demand
With a significant pipeline of infrastructure planned for Queensland, access to materials and labour will be major challenges for construction businesses
Supply chain pressures in Queensland’s civil construction sector are no longer short-term disruptions – they’re long-term structural risks that threaten to derail major projects across the state.
Reinforced concrete pipe, a straightforward procurement item, is now one of the biggest sources of delay on civil sites. Lead times have blown out. Deliveries are inconsistent. Manufacturers are doing their best, but demand is rising faster than they can scale production.
Reinforced concrete pipe is fundamental to most civil jobs, but the industry is now seeing monthslong waits for product that’s critical in the early stages of construction. It is critical that authorities start to accept alternative product to supplement the shortages and provide flexibility for contractors to keep jobs moving.
Quarry materials – rock, aggregate and sand – are the building blocks of every road, hardstand, bedding, backfill and concrete. The challenge here is proximity and supply.
Reserves near Queensland’s growth areas are being depleted or locked up in planning. Even when new quarries are proposed, the approval process is slow, complex and often politically charged. The result? Longer haul distances, rising costs and projects scrambling for bulk materials in what should be the most straightforward part of the supply chain.
Concrete is next in line. Between cement supply constraints, high demand, haulage delays and over-compliance, contractors are struggling to get consistent volumes
Damian Long, CEO CCF QLD
when and where they need them at a reliable price.
Concrete isn’t a material you can stockpile – when the truck doesn’t show up, the job doesn’t proceed. Projects are being forced into inefficient multi-supplier arrangements just to keep work moving. That adds time, cost and complexity.
The risk is not limited to these core inputs. Products such as steel are already showing signs of tightening availability, with mill shutdowns, shipping delays and international market volatility creating additional uncertainty. Steel is fundamental to bridges, drainage structures, reinforced concrete and piling systems. If these constraints worsen – and there’s every indication they will – contractors will face increased exposure to procurement risk, especially on fixed-price contracts.
The biggest and most persistent issue facing civil construction in Queensland, however, isn’t materials. It’s people.
Skilled labour is in short supply. Concreters, steel fixers, machine operators, civil engineers, supervisors – we simply don’t have enough of them.
Apprenticeship numbers are growing, but not fast enough.
Bottlenecks in the supply chain of building materials need to be addressed. Image: aboutmomentsimages/stock.adobe.com
Migration is helping, but not at the scale required.
So, what does the next four to eight years look like? More demand, fewer workers, tighter materials supply and a project pipeline that keeps growing. The next decade will stretch Queensland’s civil capacity due to Olympic infrastructure, national, state and local government infrastructure, energy transition projects, water security upgrades and housing targets all at record levels. It becomes clear that we will need every trick in the book to deliver more for less, faster and with less margin for error.
Cost certainty is a focus all stakeholders and particularly clients aim for. With so many core inputs at risk of delay or escalation, contractors are finding it increasingly difficult to price work with confidence. Contingencies are climbing, bid validity periods are shortening, and more projects are running into contractual tensions as price pressures collide with rigid procurement frameworks.
Whilst agencies such as the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads are proactively collaborating with industry to address these issues there are other segments of the industry that will be left behind unless they take a similar approach.
All stakeholders need to take coordinated action now, to reduce a supply chain bottleneck that will impact delivery, inflate costs and compromise outcomes. There must be support to incentivise increased production and/or accept that alternate product or design for local materials is a must.
The supply chain must be considered critical infrastructure and benefit from the same amendments to planning laws that are now in place to assist in the delivery of Olympic infrastructure. The pipeline of works ahead is enormous. The question is whether the pipeline of materials and skills can keep up. This is a call for focus. Addressing supply chain constraints now will support delivery in the future.
IMS-MS104T
IMS have added the new BP1200-48TB track electric twin power blender to its impressive collection of ed hopper each five meters long holding and controlled by a PLC control and recording system that can be operated from an iPad or phone from its own Wi-Fi system from a loader or ll fitted with invertors offering variable speed to each feed hopper conveyor. The generator can be connected to mains power and could power an
Scalping Screen with a 10 x 4 two deck screen producing three products on high rise tracks
Price $227,000 Plus GST
New IMS-MC1050-14TF
Track Conveyor with a five-meter-long feed hopper with a
Price $244,000 Plus
offered Braeside fines into roadbase to make spec or ol and CTB. The PLC control and recording
New IMS-BP1200-9TB
Twin five-meter-long feed hopper blender with mixer and water adding spray bar POA
Nordmann T-750
Jaw Crusher with a single deck screen producing two finished products. Diesel electric which is very
and only uses
Women in industry
Behind the wheel
While being a plant operator is traditionally seen as a male-dominated job, Hanna Moriconi is defying this stereotype at one of Boral’s far north Queensland quarries
Boral’s Hanna Moriconi was no stranger to heavy machinery growing up, coming from a farming background.
This experience, combined with having family members involved in mining and various trades, meant
that she was often in and around heavy equipment and trucks.
However, despite this familiarity with machines, she says it never occurred to her that driving them would be a viable career option.
“Growing up, all I saw were males in
Hanna Moriconi is a plant operator at Boral’s Tichum Creek Quarry in Queensland
these types of job,” she says.
“I guess I thought that it wasn’t something for women.”
Being knocked back at a young age when she wanted to be a diesel fitter only reinforced this thinking.
However, after picking up a parttime bookkeeping job in Cairns, she needed another job to fill the rest of her available days and ended up landing a part-time administration role at Boral’s Tichum Creek Quarry, located near Mareeba, about 60km south-west of Cairns.
“I originally thought I’ll just pick up the Boral job for couple of months, until the bookkeeping role goes full time, and then that’ll be it,” Moriconi says.
“I started working the weighbridge and helping with admin for two days a week.”
Taking a leap
After a couple months of learning and growing her skillset at Boral, Moriconi’s manager asked if she wanted to learn how to operate a dump truck.
With a ‘why not’ approach, she gave it a go and found she really enjoyed driving around the quarry.
It was around this time that the bookkeeping job in Cairns offered her a full-time role, leaving Moriconi with a much harder decision to make than she had originally anticipated.
“I had a really lovely crew at Boral and my manager at the time, John, was really amazing, giving everyone an equal opportunity,” she says.
“I really loved getting in the machines and I saw that I had support here from everyone, including management, to expand into more machines.”
Ultimately, this was the deciding factor and she chose to stay at Boral. Not long after she became a full-time plant operator.
“When you’ve got that support as a female in a male-dominated industry, it encourages you to want to keep going because you know there’ll be people helping you to reach your goals,” she says.
Images: Boral
Moriconi has learnt how to operate various machines, including Boral’s water cart
The Tichum Creek Quarry throws up a lot of loading and hauling work for Moriconi
“Apart from loving operating machinery, the people I was working with were the icing on the cake for me, that made coming to work awesome every day.”
Top operator
M oriconi says it was a significant adjustment going from working on a computer at a desk to being outside in the elements all day. It also meant she was trading the standard ‘nine till five’ working hours for much earlier start times, but that didn’t put her off.
From her starting point on the dump truck, Moriconi has now worked on Boral’s water carts, wheel loaders, and even a crushing plant.
“At the moment, I mainly do a lot of load and haul, including loading the crushing plant and putting products in the onsite pugmill. Hopefully I’ll
She believes there are many more women in the industry now compared to when she grew up
Women in industry
learn how to load road trucks soon,” she says.
“I want to try and touch on a bit of everything, because I want to be resourceful and have multiple skills, not just one thing. I’m lucky
enough to have the opportunity here that I can learn a bit of everything over time.”
Day-to-day, Moriconi says the Tichum Creek Quarry can throw up a range of tasks, always keeping her on her toes with a variety of plant work.
What she finds most fulfilling is seeing local projects underway that the quarry has supplied product for.
“It’s really cool to see because we’ve had a part in making something,” Hanna says.
“What we’re doing is building something bigger for everyone.”
She adds that there are also many more women in the industry now compared to what she remembers growing up.
“I think it’s slowly becoming a little bit more normal, so there’s more support for females to feel comfortable stepping into these types of roles,” Moriconi says.
“There’s still a long way to go, but it’s good to see women are being recognised in these roles and there’s not so much of the stereotype that this a man’s job versus this is a woman’s job.”
Operating various types of machinery still feels a little surreal she says.
“Growing up on the farm I’d play with Tonka trucks, and now I feel like I’m playing with life-size versions in a way,” she says.
“I think that it’s really amazing what you can do with the machines and what you can achieve.”
Innovative Paving Pathways Program launched
NAWIC is supporting Amarapave to open up industry opportunities to underrepresented people
In our 30th anniversary year, the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) remains committed to our mission to drive gender equity in construction through meaningful and longterm culture change.
Earlier this year, we announced the recipients of our 2025 Bright Ideas Grants, which supports initiatives that challenge the status quo and open doors for underrepresented people.
One of those recipients was Amarapave, which received $20,000 to launch its Paving Pathways program – a practical and purposeled initiative providing paid, on the job experience to individuals often overlooked due to a lack of industry exposure or traditional qualifications.
Founded by managing director Jenika Stubelj (she/her) and field director Ash MacMahon (they/them), Amarapave is a social enterprise paving company with a clear mission to deliver exceptional asphalt work while creating real pathways into the industry for those excluded by outdated norms.
Amarapave welcomed its first Paving Pathways participant, Tazmyn Rose, in June with support from delivery partner Downer Transport & Infrastructure. The program combines hands-on work with one-on-one mentoring and wraparound support, recognising that technical training alone isn’t
enough. Culture, guidance and safety matter too.
For MacMahon, the motivation behind the program is both professional and deeply personal.
“Too many women in construction still hear the phrase, ‘you’ll never make it,’” they say.
“This program is about backing potential before it’s fully formed. Because when we invest in people, we don’t just change careers. We change futures.”
They’re quick to acknowledge that visibility isn’t the answer on its own.
Rather than positioning Paving Pathways as a polished solution, Amarapave sees it as an evolving response to a complex problem
“Visibility without support is not progress. It’s pressure. People are being hired into environments that were never designed to hold them, let alone grow them,” MacMahon says.
“You can post about a new hire, say the right things, tick a box – but if there’s no structure or culture behind it, then it’s not a real opportunity.
“We don’t pretend to have all the answers. That’s why we started this program not as a showcase, but as
Picture perfect
Photojournalist David Wylie has focused on mining and construction machinery from around the world in his latest book, with several projects from Australia joining the collection. We take a look at some of the massive machines he gets up close to and why he loves showcasing the industry
Covering everything from a 240tonne Cat 994K wheel loader scooping up bucketloads of coal in Queensland to a John Deere 672GP grader building roads on the west coast of Scotland, via an in-depth discussion of the Black Thunder Mine in Wyoming, photojournalist David Wylie brings together an extraordinary collection of amazing machines, projects and people in his latest book: Earthmovers in USA, Australia & Europe.
With over 500 photos showcasing the world’s largest draglines, rope shovels, mining haulers and other earthmoving and mining machinery, Wylie has been invited into factories, mines and unique job sites as part of his freelancing work for the UK’s Earthmovers magazine.
The fourth in his ‘Earthmovers in’ series, this expands out to include case studies from the USA and Australia, covering some of the largest manufacturers and mining companies operating today.
Earthmovers & Excavators caught up with Wylie to have a chat about his latest book and what it is about earthmoving and mining that inspired him to start writing about and photographing machinery.
David Wylie next to a LeTourneau L-1800 wheel loader equipped with a 25 cubic metre bucket at Coal Creek surface coal mine in Wyoming, USA
Images: David Wylie
David Wylie’s latest book focuses on earthmoving and mining machinery across the US, Europe and Australia
Catching the bug
Speaking with Wylie from his home country of Scotland about what first sparked his interest in earthmoving machinery, he says it’s been a focus for several members of his family –with his dad being a machinery operator and several of his brothers following in those footsteps.
Wylie himself became a vehicle engineer, building his career over the years to eventually become a department head for a vehicle inspection business.
“I ended up writing most of the case studies that we produced, which is how I first got involved in writing about machinery,” he says.
“In addition to that I’ve always been interested in photography, so about 15 years ago I started writing for Earthmovers magazine as a part-time job, heading out at the weekend to take pictures.
“That’s when I started visiting job sites and photographing large, interesting pieces of machinery, but also the people on the sites as well.
I think that’s really important, because it’s the men and women working there that make the magic happen – it’s not just the machines.”
For his first story he went to the now-closed Broken Cross coal mine, south-east of Glasgow in Scotland.
“It was one of the biggest coal mines in the UK at that time and they’d just invested in 10 new Cat 785 dump trucks,” Wylie says.
“It was a £23 million deal, and that was my first assignment. I really enjoyed it and eventually I decided to make this my full-time job.”
This trip to Broken Cross eventually joined a collection of 32 reports from earthmoving sites across Scotland to form Wylie’s first book: Earthmovers in Scotland. He says the book series came about as he was looking for a way to utilise the significant number of images and background research that he had done when writing magazine articles.
“I end up with a truckload of information and far more images than you can print in a magazine,
so I decided that I would do the director’s cut,” he jokes.
“In my books I use 25 to 30 images from each job site, so you get a more in-depth idea of how a machine works or what a site looks like.”
Capturing history
As well as just enjoying the sight of huge machines moving rock and soil on sites, Wylie says his work also plays an important role in recording industrial history.
Even within the past 15 years his work has been capturing a changing landscape. The Broken Cross coal mine that was the focus of his first piece closed in 2016 and is currently being redeveloped as a wind farm, with open pit coal mining in the UK ceasing completely in 2023.
“As you see job sites close, it’s become a record of our industrial heritage – the job sites, the machines, the people worked there, the companies, what they did,” he says.
“I think it’s also benefitted awareness [of what goes on in the
The Komatsu PC7000-11 at work at Batchfire’s Callide coal mine
This John Deere 672GP grader, owned by Scottish contractor A&L McCrae, was the first piece of John Deere construction machinery to be sold in the UK for 50 years when it joined the fleet in 2019
Jessica Nicholls supports the maintenance of eight T282C haul trucks at Moolarben mine. Image: National Group
industry] in the general public who don’t work in the industry but still like to read magazines or buy my books. Often, people don’t realise where stuff comes from.
“A production director once said to me that everything we consume in our daily lives is either mined or grown, but people don’t recognise that. If you look at Australia, the whole economy revolves around mining and farming.”
Special access
In terms of selecting assignments, Wylie says the beauty of being freelance means he can pick and choose interesting projects. Whether it’s talking to helicopter pilots about airlifting concrete up a mountain or the operator of a long reach excavator dredging material off the Isle of Arran, his work takes him all around the world.
“I’ve got a really good network through the OEMs and dealers, all the sales guys know me, and if they think they’ve got an interesting story
to tell, they’ll contact me,” he says.
“Although the books are generally more about mining, in my new book there is some standard construction equipment in it, simply because I really liked the job site, which sometimes is more interesting than the machine itself.
“I’ve also been to a couple of factories, such as the old Demag one in Dusseldorf, which is now called Komatsu Mining. A lot of these machines head over to Australia –for example I went to see a PC7000 mining excavator, which is operating at Batchfire’s Callide coal mine.”
The PC7000 is one of the case studies included in Wylie’s last book and came about due to a conversation with Komatsu’s, Brisbane based, technology division MineWare, which set up a visit to Callide coal mine in Central Queensland so Wylie could see it in action.
“As I was interested in seeing how MineWare’s technology is helping drive mine efficiency, and
to see Callide’s new fleet of Komatsu PC7000-11 excavators and 930E-4 haul trucks in action, I managed to visit in February 2020 just before Covid closed the country,” he says.
“I’d been waiting a long time to see the PC7000 in the flesh as I’d first been told about the PC7000 prototype during a factory visit back in 2012!
“Batchfire’s PC7000-11s were the first two machines to be shipped directly from the Komatsu factory in Dusseldorf with their factoryfit MineWare Argus ready system, which was the world’s first fully integrated factory fit payload management system on mining excavators. In the cab this gives dig guidance to the operator and it was great to speak to operators on the site actually using it.”
Another Australian-based case study in the new book is National Group’s work at the Moolarben Coal site in the western coalfields of New South Wales.
“I reported on National Group’s
The Black Thunder surface coal mine in Wyoming is home to a fleet of P&H 4100 and Bucyrus 495 HR electric rope shovels, as well as the world’s largest operational dragline
Wolff Mining division and their Cat D11T SATS fleet in my last book, so it was great to connect with them again,” he says.
“They’d won a new contract at Moolarben Coal, running their fleet of ultra-class 400-tonne Liebherr T 282C haul trucks and their massive 800-tonne class R 9800 mining excavator.
“I spoke at the mine with one of the relief production supervisors who talked me through the safety tools on the trucks and all of the live info that the operator could see. One of the operators actually described the T 282C as being ‘limousines of the mining industry’ because of how quiet and responsive they are to operate.
“It’s impressive watching the 800-tonne excavator swinging a massive 47.5 cubic metre bucket to fill the trucks. And it’s quick as well –each cycle is about 30 seconds and
four passes fills the truck – so you’ll have between four and six trucks servicing the one excavator.
“It’s always a pleasure to visit Australia – there are some amazing projects taking place there and the people are so friendly.”
Machinery evolution
Having already written extensively about the history of famous earthmoving brands and machinery, including most recently Caterpillar’s development over the past 100 years, Wylie says his next book will likely be focused on the evolution of the industry and different types of machinery.
Despite getting up close to some of the largest mining machinery in the world moving thousands of tonnes of material, Wylie says the humble bulldozer is still his favourite with its origins in farming machinery.
“Rope shovels are also quite
interesting machines,” he adds.
“They haven’t really changed in 100 years, just gotten bigger and more efficient. If you look at rope shovels from the 1930s and 40s and then look at another Komatsu product, which is still branded P&H, they’re very similar in their basic design structure.
“Looking at where technology is today with autonomous fleets –compare that to a photo of a surface coal mine in the UK in the 1930s where everybody had their flat caps and steel boots on and you’ve got 50 people in the bottom of a pit shovelling coal. It makes you wonder what people will say in 50 years’ time when they look back at photos from now!”
For more information on David Wylie’s work and how to order his books, visit www.facebook.com/
Komatsu’s Wacol factory where 930E haul trucks are assembled
Next step
Why skills matter more than ever – and what comes next
If you’ve spent any time recently inside a workshop, classroom, salon, kitchen or tech lab, you’ll know this: Australia’s future is in capable hands.
As CEO of WorldSkills Australia, I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand what’s possible when young people are empowered through skills – real, practical, high-quality skills that don’t just build careers, but build industries, communities and innovation.
Recently, we brought together the country’s most talented young trades and technology professionals for the 2025 WorldSkills Australia National Championships & Skills Show in Brisbane. It was a celebration of excellence, but, more importantly, it was a reminder of what’s possible when the right people, training and support come together.
Beyond the competition floor
Events like these go far beyond medals and rankings. They create moments that shift perceptions. We saw school students trying their hand at trades they’d never considered. Parents asking questions they hadn’t thought to ask. Educators reconnecting with the ‘why’ behind their teaching.
Trevor Schwenke, CEO, WorldSkills Australia.
At its heart, WorldSkills is about changing the way Australia sees vocational education. And we’re seeing progress. More and more, we’re witnessing young Australians choosing skilled pathways not as a fallback, but as a first choice.
Skillaroos and Shanghai
Now, we shift our focus to the next chapter: preparing a new generation of Skillaroos to take on the world.
These outstanding individuals, selected from among the highest performers at our Nationals, will undertake intensive training with some of the country’s best industry experts. Their technical ability is remarkable, but just as impressive is their drive, resilience, and commitment to continuous improvement.
In 2026, they’ll travel to Shanghai
for the 48th WorldSkills Competition, where they’ll represent Australia on a global stage. It’s a life-changing opportunity for them, and for all of us who believe in the power of skills.
Industry’s role
To get there, we need more than talent. We need partners.
We’re calling on industry leaders, training providers and organisations who believe in a future driven by skilled professionals. By partnering with WorldSkills Australia, you’re not only supporting a team, you’re helping shape the future of Australia’s workforce. You’re investing in innovation, resilience and excellence.
And in return, you become part of a global movement that recognises the power of skills to change lives.
If you’re ready to be part of that movement, we’d love to hear from you: www.worldskills.org.au/ partner-with-us
Together, we can ensure that skills remain at the centre of our national conversation –not just during competition season, but every day.
Image: Worldskills
Young trade professionals put their skills to the test recently in Brisbane
Winning design
When it comes to roads, paving and grading, Hidromek’s HMK 600 MG motor grader has proven to be a popular model with Australian contractors
Hidromek’s HMK 600 MG motor grader, available through Australian dealer Onetrak, has been designed to give Australian road repairers and builders the manoeuvrability and comfort needed for long days on the job.
Based off the traditional Mitsubishi grader, Hidromek has made major design improvements with the help of computer simulations and field tests to achieve a frame design that can handle rugged Australian conditions.
With a heavy-duty 14-foot blade, inbuilt clutches on the blade’s swivel system allows the blade to absorb sudden impacts and reduce the risk of damage to the blade itself.
The HMK 600 MG model also features two blade accumulators that improve the strength of the blade, providing ease of operation by absorbing any sudden vertical shocks.
The kinematic blade design allows it to be positioned up to a 90-degree angle on either side of the grader for side levelling, trench digging and slope cutting.
The HMK 600 MG motor grader has a Mercedes Benz OM926 LA engine that comes in both Stage V and Tier III variants, ranging from 140–160kW (187–214hp). Onetrak says the variable horsepower of the engine assists the grader’s higher efficiency and lower fuel consumption by adapting to the power needed.
Even the hydraulic cooling fan can operate at differing speeds, depending on the engine’s overall temperature – reducing unnecessary power consumption.
In the cabin, the unusual hexagonal shape provides a clear line of sights to the blade while the grader is in operation, while electro-hydraulic controls, advanced joystick steering and a spacious ROPS/FOPS-certified cabin provide operators with a comfortable environment.
The grader has eight forward and eight reverse gears and operators can control the grader either with the joystick or a steering wheel if preferred.
These unique cabin features proved key to the HMK 600 MG Motor Grader winning the prestigious Red Dot award in 2017.
The international, annual design competition recognises product and industrial design, brand and communication design as well as design concepts.
The event jury stated: “This powerful motor grader provides simple, intuitive steering by joystick and gains merit also with a cabin design which focuses on function and safety aspects.”
The model has also gained recognition through the Good Design Awards and merited a Special Mention at the German Design Awards.
The popularity of this model among Onetrak’s customers shows the operator-focused design continues to meet the demands of drivers across Australia.
Overall, the Hidromek HMK 600 MG Motor Grader is designed inside and out for the operator.
With safety and comfort being key to the overall cabin design, alongside heavy-duty components and a strong, articulating frame, this motor grader is well suited to Australian conditions.
For more information on the Hidromek HMK 600 MG motor grader visit: onetrak.com.au
The hexagonal cabin gives great vision around the cab
Images: Onetrak
Design innovations help absorb shocks to the blade
BUCKETS AND ATTACHMENTS
Dig smarter with Doherty
When it comes to digging smarter, Doherty Couplers and Attachments is leading the way. Its latest range of excavator buckets has been thoughtfully designed with operators in mind, making work easier, faster and more efficient while reducing wear and fuel consumption on site
At the centre of Doherty’s innovation is the BTA rotary tilt bucket range. These buckets feature a clever compact tip radius and a self-filling shape that cuts through the ground with minimal resistance. The result? Tilt buckets that offer faster digging, increased bucket loads and lower fuel use per pass.
What makes the BTA range really stand out is its low-maintenance, cylinder-free design. By doing away with pins, bushes and grease nipples, and replacing them with just two moving parts, Doherty has created a bucket that’s virtually maintenancefree and far more reliable in the long run, explains Couplers and Attachments CEO Jeremy Doherty.
“Each bucket comes equipped with the Doherty Power Actuator, offering smooth, precise control,” he says.
“It’s a fully sealed unit, lubricated continuously with hydraulic oil, so there’s no need for daily greasing – just a quick clean and a bit of seal lubrication once a week.”
Being simple, tough and built to last, the BTA range suits excavators ranging from 1.5 to 70 tonnes, providing operators in various industries with a smart solution for tilting control and enhanced productivity.
Powerdig Series
If your day-to-day work involves hard, rocky, or abrasive ground, the Powerdig Series is built with you in mind.
These buckets are designed for use with a quick coupler or direct mount and come heavy-duty as standard, with even tougher options available for more demanding conditions.
Jeremy notes that, thanks to features like a reduced tip radius, tapered sides, and a deep, doubleradius floor, Powerdig buckets offer powerful breakout and smooth unloading.
The BTA series of Doherty rotary tilt buckets is available for all machines from 1.5 to 70 tonnes
“They’re shaped to ensure a 100 per cent fill factor – meaning you get the most out of every scoop, every time,” he says.
The Powerdig range is ideal for contractors working in civil construction, utilities and infrastructure, where reliable, hardworking equipment makes all the difference. They also come standard with Doherty’s Tool Carrier System (TCS), which makes moving your buckets around the site quicker and safer – just pick them up with your mud bucket and walk the machine to where it’s needed.
Cleaning and mud buckets
For jobs that involve clearing, grading, or working with softer materials, Jeremy says Doherty’s cleaning and mud buckets are a practical and durable choice.
“They’ve been designed to reduce wear and tear with a curved floor, horizontal wear strips and highquality wear-resistant steel – all working together to extend the life of the bucket,” he says.
“These buckets are also built for performance, with a short tip radius for strong breakout force and removable pins for easy maintenance. It’s a simple, effective design that does its job well and keeps doing it longer.”
Powerdig mud buckets have a direct mount design with removable pins and short tip radius to provide maximum breakout force
The Doherty difference
Overall, every bucket in the Doherty range is designed to make operators’ lives easier whether that’s by increasing productivity, reducing downtime, or just making daily tasks a bit simpler.
It’s this combination of smart design and real-world practicality that continues to set Doherty apart in the field. So, if you’re looking for gear that works as hard as you do, it might be time to dig with Doherty.
For more information, visit: www.dohertydirect.net
Images: Doherty
Couplers and Attachments
THE D-LOCK TILT COUPLER
¬ Compact in design, powerful, and virtually maintenance free
¬ Incorporates a precision-built actuator with only two moving parts, ensuring trouble-free operation
¬ Up to 180° of tilt
¬ Picks up multi pin diameter ≥140 class
¬ Simplified connections and controls
¬ DPL+ safety system locks both front and rear pins in the event of loss of engagement forces
¬ Optional GPS sensor bracket available on ≥140 class
WHEN SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT
All Doherty couplers are compliant with Australian standard AS13031:2023, WC01783 NSW Workcover position paper, European standard EN474, International ISO 13031, and all major contractor policies.
D-Lock Coupler
¬ DPL+ safety system locks front and rear pin in event of loss of engagement force
¬ Wide pin centre pick-up range
¬ Picks up multi pin diameter ≥140 class
D-Lock Tilt Mini | Pull-Pin
¬ Simple pull-pin design with maximum pin contact to eliminate wear
¬ Actuator only has two moving parts and can run up to 210 BAR (3000PSI)
D-Lock Tilt Mini | Hydraulic
Powerdig Digging Bucket
¬ Reduced tip radius and 100% bucket fill factor proving maximum breakout
¬ Tapered sides minimising ground resistance
Rotary Tilt Bucket
¬ No cylinders, pins, bushes or grease nipples - only two moving parts
¬ Doherty Power Actuator ensures precise control with no unwanted movement
¬ All D-Lock Tilt Mini Couplers can run on pilot pressure, reducing fit-up cost
¬ Locking cylinder hoses are fully protected with internal routing
Powerdig Mud Bucket
¬ Minimal bucket to product contact when digging, substantially increasing bucket life
¬ Minimal wear and maximum life
RB Attachments
Grabs
Rippers
Rock buckets
Compaction plates
Batter buckets
Sieve buckets
Tilting batter buckets
GP buckets
RB Buckets & Attachments
OEM Quality You Can Rely On
Our RB range of buckets and attachments is built to meet the highest industry standards, delivering OEM-level quality with the toughness and reliability your work demands. Designed in-house and manufactured using heavy-duty materials, RB products are ideal for earthmoving, construction, and agricultural applications.
RAMMER
Rock breakers
Pulverisers
Shears
Multi-processors
Everdigm
Rock breakers
Pulverisers (fixed and rotating)
ALLU
Transformer buckets
Stabilizing systems
SIMEX
Planers
Asphalt floats
Rotary twin head cutter
Buckets of options
for over 30 years
With a philosophy of providing top-quality products at a value for money price, RD Williams and QLD Rock Breakers are your go-to attachments partner
If a company only has a hammer to sell, every task will be treated like a nail, and what happens down the track if you need aftersales support –will they have stock, or even still be in business?
This is why it’s important to know the company you are buying from, as whatever you buy, it’ll only ever be as good as the company that’s there to support it.
RD Williams (RDW) and Qld Rock Breakers (QRB) is a one stop shop that has been providing attachments for over 30 years.
Having partnered with reputable market leaders as well as developing
its own attachments, RDW’s philosophy has always been to provide a top-quality product at a value for money price.
Everything you need
From the static RB range onwards, having products ready to go on the shelf ensures quick delivery.
RDW stocks a full range to suit 12–40 tonne machines, with the RB range consisting of standard GP buckets, sieve/skeleton buckets, trenching and mud buckets, tilting buckets, rippers and compaction wheels. With a clever pick-up design,
buckets can be configured to suit your machine’s pick up with delivery within one to two business days. Rock buckets and custom designed buckets are also available, with the company having recently provided an EX1200-6 batter bucket, ZX890-5 extreme duty quarry buckets and high dump loader buckets for Cat 966Hs.
Customer-focused design
The RB range is built in OEM supplier factories using Hardox materials and are designed to suit Australia’s harsh operating conditions. By using Cat J series teeth,
RD Williams and Qld Rock Breakers have been providing earthmoving attachments
Images:
RD Williams
The company stocks a full range to suit 12–40 tonne machines
BUCKETS AND ATTACHMENTS
customers can readily and affordably purchase replacements as they wear out without having to break the bank.
RD Williams says that it is this ‘thinking like a customer’ philosophy that keeps customers coming back for advice on what is the best option for their needs.
Whilst the company has imported Everdigm mid-range construction rock breakers for nearly 30 years, QRB has also been chosen by Sandvik as the Qld/NT dealer for the premium mining-focused Rammer products.
Apart from a fully equipped workshop, QRB also holds a substantial inventory of spare parts, including chisels and moils, to ensure that customers can keep breaking ground and not their bank.
Extensive range
The choice of products extends even further with several different technologies available for crushing and sorting applications.
QRB has two brands of pulverisers in stock, plus an extensive range of ALLU transformers and two brands of crushing buckets. Another leading brand in the portfolio is the Maxbrio vibrating rippers.
roadworks applications in particular and is synonymous with self-leveling planers and asphalt floats to suit all brands of skid steers and positracks.
Having a broad range of top products to suit various budgets and applications is only one part of the equation though. Knowledgeable and experienced staff backed up by significant spare parts stock means that the company always stands behind its products.
Take the ALLU transformer as an example. It turns site waste products from money-draining to money-making. By processing product on site, users save on transport costs, avoid buying extra equipment and create value by reusing the on-site materials.
As the Australian importer for Simex, the company rounds out the hydraulic attachment range with road profilers and planers as well as twin head cutters. Simex is an innovative global leader in
These buckets have been used for many years in the pipeline industry helping to finish jobs quicker and cheaper by transforming the spoil material to re-compactible fill. Momentum is now growing in construction and other recycling applications.
For more information, visit rdw.com.au
Queensland Rock Breakers also has an extensive range of the ALLU transformer attachments
Queensland Rock Breakers is the Australian importer for Simex
BUCKETS AND ATTACHMENTS
Ever evolving
Investing heavily in local manufacturing and continually refining its post drivers, slashers and other attachments has stood Elgra Engineering in good stead
Backed by 35 years in business and a lifetime of passion for machinery, Elgra Engineering remains a shining example of Australian manufacturing.
Founded and co-owned by father and son duo Elton and Graeme Robinson, the New South Walesbased company was a pioneer of hydraulically driven post drivers and this product remains an important part of its range in 2025.
The company says its post drivers have “set a completely new standard” since their introduction and are purpose-built for the likes of earthmoving and farming contractors.
Elgra is continuously refining its products and investing heavily in its manufacturing equipment to ensure it is catering for the evolving needs of Australian customers across multiple sectors.
One example of this comes from its latest product range – two, three and four-blade slashers for excavators.
Fully developed by the Elgra team, the company says this has been “engineered with precision and developed with durability in mind” and will handle the toughest tasks with ease.
It features a hot dip galvanised body, enhanced strength and reliability thanks to the rugged materials it is built with, and an
advanced design which has been modernised for a better fit, finish and performance.
Built to last
Design and innovation are done inhouse, with sophisticated computer-aided design (CAD) software being used from the very beginning of the process.
This means designs can be fully tested before prototypes are manufactured, which are then put through their paces in Australian conditions.
This is something which happens regularly, as Elton says Elgra is constantly conducting market research and listening to customer feedback to develop new and improved products and further enhance its existing range.
Once the prototype has proven to be a winner and enters full production, every unit is rigorously tested for quality assurance before being sent to customers around the nation.
In recent years, the company has invested about half a million dollars in state-of-the-art welding and laser equipment including a six-axis industrial welding robot, along with other enhancements such as numerical machine control, plasma cutting and incorporation of surface plating.
Elgra hydraulic post drivers excel in tricky environments, and are engineering and manufactured in Australia to suit Australian needs
This advanced technology, along with designing and manufacturing in-house, means Elgra can cater to individual needs and ensure each customer receives a product perfectly suited to their requirements.
Driving home
For all Elgra’s versatility and growth of its attachments offering, the hydraulic post drivers remain the product that the company is most associated with.
By pioneering the manufacturing of fully hydraulic post drivers, Elgra was able to phase out the old-fashioned drop hammer.
The hydraulic post driver is a much safer machine, Elton says, not requiring screens around the hammer and ensuring the hammer cannot accidentally fall – eliminating the injury risk.
It also has greater reliability on slopes, he says, along with reduced noise and the ability for it to be operated remotely.
Elgra says its post drivers are built to outperform anything else on the market and can withstand the harshest conditions which Australia can throw at them such as dust, heavy rain and extreme heat.
This is due to their construction from high quality nylon blocks that guide the Power Call, hot dipped galvanised equipment, plus no greasing of the main rail system which eliminates wear and tear.
The framework construction means it can take the largest cell on the market, Elgra says, delivering 2,500 joules of impact power from its 200-cell unit.
This is the largest of four sizes offered by Elgra and is aimed primarily at contractors needing size and speed.
Elgra Engineering’s full range can be viewed at www.elgra.com.au
Images: Elgra Engineering
BUCKETS AND ATTACHMENTS
Built to last
Steelform Engineering’s custom built earthmoving attachments are made locally with pride
From humble beginnings in 1999, operating out of a backyard shed, Steelform Engineering has grown into a trusted name in earthmoving attachments – proudly Australianowned, family-run and still helmed by its founder Kevin Cullin.
Based in Braeside in Melbourne’s south-east, the business continues to deliver expertly crafted excavator buckets and attachments built tough for Australian conditions.
What sets Steelform apart isn’t just its product quality – it’s the people behind it. With every bucket, blade and attachment fabricated on-site using premium Australian materials, Steelform offers something massproduced imports can’t: custom solutions backed by decades of experience and a personal touch from a team that genuinely cares.
“We don’t just sell attachments –we build them to suit your machine and your job,” Cullin says.
“That’s the difference when you deal with a local manufacturer you can speak directly to over the phone or discuss your business requirements face to face.”
Built for purpose
Steelform’s range includes general-purpose, rock, mud and sorting buckets – all built with quench and tempered grade 400 wear plate and reinforced with double radius pressed beam top boxes. Adaptors, teeth and cutting edges can be tailored to your needs.
The lineup also features rippers,
hammerhead plates, compaction wheels and grader blades – a popular addition designed for excavators from 1.5 to 35 tonnes.
“Rather than using a mud bucket for final trim, the grader blade gives a cleaner, far more efficient result,” Cullin explains.
“We were one of the first to manufacture these for excavators, and demand’s growing fast.”
Made in Australia. Made to order
When you buy from Steelform, you’re not just getting a product –you’re getting flexibility. Whether it’s modifying the steel thickness or designing to spec, the team can accommodate your needs without the wait times and limitations of imported attachments.
“If you buy off the shelf, you get what you get,” Cullin says.
“But we can engineer anything –and we do.”
Steelform Engineering builds custom attachments at its site in Melbourne, with its products registered as Australian Made
More than buckets
While excavator attachments remain at the heart of the business, Steelform has expanded into custom fabrication for clients in mining, construction and underground services. From vibrating screens and feeders to underground pumping stations, Steelform’s capacity to deliver complex, made-to-measure solutions has earned it a loyal client base over more than two decades across Australia and internationally.
Why choose Steelform Engineering?
• 100% Australian owned and Australian made
• Family-run business with over 25 years’ experience
• Personalised service from the founding director himself
• F ully customisable products made to fit your machine and job
• Bricks and mortar manufacturing company, not just a warehouse. Whether you’re after rugged attachments, expert repairs, or made-to-order fabrication, Steelform Engineering is your trusted partner for quality that’s built – and backed –right here in Australia.
For more information, visit: www.steelformengineering.com. au, P: 03 9580 8009 or E: kevin@ steelformengineering.com.au
Images:
Graders blades for 1.5 to 35 tonne excavators are available
BUCKETS AND ATTACHMENTS
Smarter design
ONTRAC Group’s XMOR bucket design combines high strength wear-resistant steels with a patented design that reduces bucket weight for payload without compromising quality and durability
2025 marks 10 years since Melbourne excavator attachment business ONTRAC opened its doors to offer Australian-made products to the earthmoving market.
Initially focused on the building of quality buckets for the highend civil industry, ONTRAC has developed the business over the past decade to become a trusted name in quarrying and mining.
ONTRAC Group managing director Adrian Attwood says that the company is focused on quality and productivity – with its XMOR range advancing on standard Heavy Duty or Extreme Premium bucket designs through greater capacity and smart use of steels.
Built with hard wearing yet lightweight Hardox 500 Tuf and Strenx steel, ONTRAC Group has reduced the overall amount of steel used in the bucket by 15–30 per cent. This means 20 per cent or more material can be carried per swing, leading to significant productivity improvements, reduced fuel burn and easier maintenance.
“With a product like our XMOR bucket, you’re swinging the same amount of total suspended load but the difference is, with the smart design of the bucket, you’ve got less steel and greater volumes,” Attwood says.
“By reducing the number of passes needed to fill a truck, we are saving minutes per truck in each cycle. If you’re doing hundreds of cycles
a day, this leads to hours of time saved, or simply more production.”
Attwood points out that, due to this higher capacity, customers can do the same amount of work but with a smaller machine.
“Our philosophy is simpler and lighter over against bigger and heavier,” he explains.
“With XMOR we’ve also changed the shape, so it doesn’t drag, which also reduces the rate of wear.”
The bespoke design includes an inverted keel (tub) that minimises ground contact, and bolt on corner heel shrouds that not only removes drag but furthermore reduces downtime through ease of change out with mechanical connections.
“Ultimately, it is about saving time and reducing running costs, to help our clients get the greatest return on their investment we’ve had unparalleled results,” Attwood says.
Supplying the best
Another pillar in ONTRAC’s philosophy has been sourcing high quality ground engaging tools (GET),
with the business importing the MTG brand for use on its buckets.
“MTG is from Spain and is renowned for quality and reliability,” he says.
“It’s about sizing GET correctly. We look at the machine, its capacity, what you’re digging, how you’re digging, the breakout force of the machine, and then you size everything appropriately. When you size it correctly, and it comes from a reputable source, you can rely on the fact that those teeth aren’t going to let you down.”
Customer first
Attwood outlines ONTRAC Group’s unwavering customer-centric approach, which seeks to understand a client’s specific needs and site conditions in order for the correct bucket size and type to be suggested.
“We look at what you’re doing and how you’re doing it currently before we make a recommendation,” he says.
“We want to make sure that you’re not doing any half passes. If you’re doing six and a half passes your bucket isn’t the right size because half of that seventh pass is wasted. Having the right size bucket will lead to a significant productivity boost.”
It’s this combination of high quality steel, innovative design, hard wearing GET, Australian manufacturing and attention to detail that come together in ONTRAC to create a durable product backed by local support.
For more information on ONTRAC Group visit: ontracgroup.com.au
The patented design includes an inverted keel (tub)
Images:
The XMOR range brings lighter weight buckets that can move more
PURPOSE BUILT PROFIT DRIVEN
Providing Innovative and Quality
SIEVE
BUCKETS
12t - $4,800
20t - $5,400
25t - $6,500
30t - $7,200
45t - $10,000
RIPPERS
6t - $1,400
12t - $2,200
20t - $2,800
25t - $3,300
30t - $3,800
40t - $5,000
MUD BUCKETS
6t - $1,500
12t - $3,000
20t - $4,800
25t - $5,500
30t - $7,200
40t - $8,600
MECHANICAL GRAPPLES
6t - $4,200
12t - $5,400
20t - $7,200
25t - $8,600
30t - $9,600
BUCKETS AND ATTACHMENTS
Enhanced quality
Betta Bilt Buckets offers a comprehensive selection of Australian-made earthmoving attachments, designed to be durable and affordable
With over 30 years of industry experience, Betta Bilt Buckets (BBB) is a one-stop-shop for all your earthmoving attachment needs.
The Australian business has a vast selection of stock suited to all machine types at its two New South Wales sites – Mount Druitt and Newcastle – offering fast delivery of products nation-wide.
Manufacturing takes place in-house, enabling BBB to have full control over the design and fabrication process, so products can be custom-built for specific requirements.
This customisation ability allows customers to specify the size, capacity and colours of the product procured from BBB.
Not only have BBB’s highquality attachments thrived in
the earthmoving sector but also in various other industries including, agriculture, forestry, construction, mining and material handling.
All BBB attachments are designed for extended life cycles and are a cost-effective solution, providing the durability that’s necessary on-site –at a cost-effective price point.
Confidence is instilled in customers knowing all attachments are made with quality assured materials, which are built to last – backed up by a 12month warranty on each product.
Attachments on offer to customers include everything from your traditional buckets – mud, GP, rock, heavy-duty tilt, 4-in-1, and sieve variations – to hydraulic grabs and hammers, as well as rippers and stick rakes.
Other available products include
BBB’s manual grabs make use of a five-finger grapple
vibrating plate compactors, excavator pallet forks, hydraulic and manual grapples, hydraulic tree shears and compaction wheels.
BBB’s hydraulic hammers are one of the most popular products on offer and are engineered for maximum productivity, while withstanding the harshest conditions. BBB says these attachments have minimal maintenance needs, reducing costly downtime and resulting in higher work rate and productivity.
Another leading product is BBB’s hydraulic grabs, which are the perfect tool for picking up and placing large, heavy objects. These attachments make use of a five-finger grapple which allows maximum efficiency, BBB says.
BBB’s extensive line of robust and modern rippers benefits from a teeth tine design, which provides easy penetration while prolonging the life of the tip. BBB adds the attachment keeps the ripping depth, material break and mixing of aggregates consistent due to its robust design.
Vibrating plate compactors are also a prominent product of the business, which are primarily used for road and highway construction and vary in size from three to 45 tonnes. Pallet fork attachments for excavators are also available for 13-tonne and 21tonne machines.
For customers looking for even more cost-effective solutions, BBB also offers used attachments.
For more information, visit bettabiltbuckets.com.au or call 1300 699 888.
A range of buckets are offered, including BBB’s rock buckets
Vibrating plate compactors are offered in various sizes
construction events
Here are upcoming events for 2025. Information was current as of going to press
NT Resources Week – Darwin
NT Resources Week combines three resource and construction industry events – the South East Asia Australia Offshore & Onshore Conference (SEAAOC), Mining the Territory and the Environmental Management & Decarbonisation Forum. It has fast become the leading meeting point for captains of industry in mining, exploration, petroleum, oil/gas, engineering, construction and infrastructure.
WHEN: September 3–4, 2025
MORE INFO: ntresourcesweek.com.au
Concrete 2025 – Adelaide
Concrete 2025 will cover all aspects of concrete materials, design, construction, repair and maintenance.
WHEN: September 7–10, 2025
MORE INFO: ciaconference.com.au
Converge Expo – Melbourne
Held alongside No-Dig Down Under, Converge Expo will bring the major projects and civil infrastructure construction industry together across two massive days in Melbourne. There will be expert discussions at all levels of business, from large-scale construction projects to local councils and asset management.
WHEN: September 17–18, 2025
MORE INFO: www.convergeexpo.com.au
No-Dig Down Under – Melbourne
No-Dig Down Under is the southern hemisphere’s only large scale conference and exhibition dedicated to trenchless technology. Organised in partnership with the Australasian Society for Trenchless Technology (ASTT) and held alongside the Converge construction expo, a range of training courses on trenchless methods will be presented prior to the conference. These will be presented by industry leaders from Australia and overseas and will be of value to anyone who encounters trenchless technologies as part of their employment.
WHEN: September 17–18, 2025
MORE INFO: www.nodigdownunder.com
AIMEX – Adelaide
The Asia-Pacific’s International Mining Exhibition (AIMEX) showcases the latest mining technology, equipment and services, offering a unique opportunity for leading suppliers and buyers to conduct face-to-face business, learn about the latest trends and network in an interactive forum.
WHEN: September 23–25, 2025
MORE INFO: www.aimex.com.au/en-gb.html
Henty Machinery Field Days – Henty
Located in the heart of the nation’s food bowl in southern NSW, Henty Machinery Field Days is an agribusiness supermarket attracting more than 60,000 visitors each year.
WHEN: September 23–25, 2025
MORE INFO: hmfd.com.au
Elmore Machinery Field Days –Elmore
Begun in 1964, Elmore Machinery Field Days is one of Australia’s key agricultural field days, held at Elmore Event Centre in Victoria. A large number of exhibitors cover earthmoving machinery, GPS and guidance equipment, laser and levelling equipment, IT and lifting machinery, among other categories.
WHEN: October 7–9, 2025
MORE INFO: www.elmorefielddays.com.au
WA Mining Conference – Perth
WA Mining Conference will focus on the best practices, technologies and strategies advancing mining in Western Australia to help you increase production, lower costs and prepare for a sustainable future. WA Mining Conference will address the most important issues shaping mining in WA.
WHEN: October 9–10, 2025
MORE INFO: www.waminingexpo.com.au
Highways AU – Sydney
The Highways AU event focuses on civil construction, traffic management, road maintenance, operations and asset management of roads, bridges, tunnels across Australia. WHEN: October 15–16, 2025
MORE INFO: www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/ highways-au/index.stm
Get a loader this
Stocking a comprehensive range of undercarriage parts for bulldozers and hydraulic excavators, we’ve got what you need to keep you in the game.
OVER PARTS 22,000 READY TO SHIP
• Track adjusters and recoil assemblies
• Engine parts and components
• • Pins and bushes
• and slew motor/reductions
• Electrical parts
• Hydraulic components
•Reconditioned major components available
NEW & USED PARTS AVAILABLE
WRECKING LIST
CASE
1 x CX14
1 x CX47
1 x CX80
2 x CX145CSR
2 x CX210
1 x CX210B
1 x 9010B
CATERPILLAR
1 x 301.8
1 x 303CR
1 x 312C
2 x 313BCR
1 x 325CL
2 x 314CCR
2 x 315FL
1 x 320A
1 x 320BL
1 x 320C
1 x 320FL
1 x 322BL
1 x 323DL
2 x 325C
1 x 325CL
2 x 336D
1 x 336DL
2 x 308BSR
1 x EL240B
1 x MM55SR
DAEWOO
1 x S220-3
2 x S330LC-V
1 x S250LC-V
3 x S290LC-V
1 x S55-V
DOOSAN
1 x DX225LCB
1 x DX300LC
1 x DX225
ECM
1 x E35SR
1 x ES85U
HITACHI
1 x EX55UR
2 x EX60-1
1 x EX60-5
1 x EX120-1
1 x EX120-2
1 x EX120-3
1 x EX200-1
1 x EX200-5
1 x EX210-5
1 x EX210H-5
1 x EX220-2
2 x EX220-3
1 x EX220-5
2 x EX230H-5
2 x EX270-1
1 x EX350H-5
1 x ZX35U-2
1 x ZX35U-3F
1 x ZX50U
2 x ZX50U-2
1 x ZX135US-3
1 x ZX135US-5B
3 x ZX200-3
1 x ZX200H-3
1 x ZX225USR
1 x ZX230
1 x ZX230-1
1 x ZX230H-5
1 x ZX250H-3
3 x ZX270LC-3
1 x ZX330
2 x ZX330-3
2 x ZX330LC-3
1 x ZX350H-3
1 x ZX350LCH-3
1 x ZX225USLC-5B
HYUNDAI
1 x R140LCD-7
1 x R160LC-7
1 x R145CR-9
IHI
1 x IHI30
1 x IHI30J
1 x IHI30JX
2 x IHI45J
1 x IHI45UJ
1 x IHI55UJ
KATO
1 x HD1023
KOBELCO
1 x SK280MSR-1E
1 x SK30SR-1
1 x SK30SR-2
1 x SK40SR
1 x SK40SR-3
1 x SK45SR-3
1 x SK50SR-3
1 x SK75UR-3
2 x SK80MSR
1 x SK80MSR-1E
2 x SK120-5
2 x SK220-5
1 x SK130UR
1 x SK135SR
1 x SK135SR-1
1 x SK135SR-2
1 x SK135SR-5
1 x SK200-3
1 x SK220-3
1 x SK220-5
1 x SK260LC-8
1 x SK360-8
KOMATSU
1 x PC05-7
1 x PC28UU-2
2 x PC30-7
1 x PC30FR
1 x PC30MR
1 x PC30MR-1
1 x PC50FR-1
1 x PC50MR
2 x PC50UU-1
3 x PC50UU-2
1 x PC60-7
1 x PC70FR-1
1 x PC75UU-1
4 x PC75UU-2
1 x PC75UU-3
1 x PC78MR-6
1 x PC138US-2
1 x PC200-7
1 x PC210-8
1 x PC220-3
1 x PC220LC-8
1 x PC228US-3
SAMSUNG
1 x SE55
2 x SE130LC-2
1 x SE210LC-5
1 x SE240LC-2
3 x SE240LC-3
1 x SE280LC
2 x SE280LC-2
1 x SE210-2 1x SE210LC-2
SUMITOMO
2 x SH60-1 1 x SH75X-3
1 x SH135X-2
1 x SH210-5
2 x SH210LC-5
1 x SH300A-2
2 x SH350H-5
1 x SH350HD-3
1 x SH350HD-5
1 x PC228USLC-3
1 x PC228UU
1 x PC300-7
1 x PC300-8
1 x PC138US-11
1 x PC350-8
KUBOTA
1 x KH52SR
1 x KX71-3 1 x KX101 1 x KX121-2 LIBRA 1 x 118SV
MITSUBISHI 1 x MM55SR NEW HOLLAND
x E35B 1 x E35SR
TAKEUCHI 1 x TB138FR
TEREX
1 x PT100G
VOLVO 1 x EC240B
1 x EC240BLC
1 x EC240CL
YANMAR 1 x B27-2 1 x VIO27-5
1 x VIO40-2
1 x VIO50 1 x VIO50-2
1 x VIO55-5B
1 x VIO70 2 x VIO75
1 x VIO75-A
DOOSAN DX225LCB HITACHI ZX225USR CATERPILLAR CASE 210B
Melbourne hosted the Hire and Rental Industry Association’s annual expo, showcasing the latest machinery that the industry has to offer
The leading event for the equipment hire and rental market in Australia, Hire25, returned from June 4-5 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Hosted by the Hire and Rental Industry Association, Hire25 showcased the latest technology, innovation, and products in the sector, which was complemented by an awards night and conference.
There was a wide variety of equipment on show with everything from scissor lifts and telehandlers to mini excavators.
Here is a look at a few pieces of machinery that were on show.
Sinoboom
Access equipment manufacturer Sinoboom exhibited a range of telescopic boom lifts and scissor lifts.
The TB14J Plus was the standout of the range, which Sinoboom describes as “a safe and adaptable mobile elevating work platform that meets challenging conditions and requirement needs”.
This model is the smallest in the telescopic boom lift range, with a maximum working height of 16.1m.
Able to hold two to three operators on the platform at a time, Sinoboom says these units are suited to a variety of industries including construction engineering, building maintenance, shipbuilding and repairing, as well as in airports.
JCB
The 525-60E electric telehandler took pride of place on JCB’s stand. First launched locally in 2023, this
telehandler produces zero emissions, has a near-silent performance and provides full-day operation on a single charge.
It also offers fast charging options to the maintenance-free lithium battery, while delivering what JCB describes as the same performance as its diesel-powered counterpart.
The 525-60E also gives operators up to 2,500kg lift capacity, 6m maximum lift height and 3.5m reach.
Dieci
Another telehandler on display was Dieci’s new Apollo Smart 20.4.
Dieci describes the Apollo Smart 20.4 as “the most compact and agile of the Dieci mining telehandlers”.
A 50hp (37kW) Kubota engine features on this fixed boom telehandler, which also has a maximum 4.35m lift height and 2,000kg lift capacity.
Dieci says it excels in tight spaces without compromising on power or precision, and it also has three steering modes, a robust boom and spacious cabin.
Bobcat
Two Bobcat machines which offer significant versatility – the S650 skid steer loader and E17Z mini excavator – were being shown at Hire25.
Available through Bobcat Australia, which is a division of Clark Equipment, these machines are part of the compact equipment range.
The E17Z mini excavator has a zero-turn swing, making it ideal for working in compact spaces, and offers plenty of features such as a
A: JCB’s 525-60E electric telehandler; B: Bobcat’s S650 skid steer loader and E17Z mini excavator; C: The Sinoboom TB14J Plus; D: Dieci’s Apollo Smart 20.4. Images: Prime Creative Media
16,177N bucket digging force plus a 3.97m reach.
Bobcat’s S650 skid steer loader has a 1,220kg rated operating capacity and 2,440kg tipping load and is a vertical lift path model which offers greater forward reach for loading into trucks.
