SMS Solutions, 2015, issue 2, English

2015, Issue 2

SOLUTIONS

SunHills Mining..................................... Page 4 Excavations Lafontaine Inc............ Page 8 C-Key Trucking..................................... Page 14 Atlantic Minerals Limited............. Page 18 United Paving...................................... Page 21

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Mike Granger, President & COO

Dear Valued Customer,

There’s little question that the drop in oil prices is impacting Canada’s economy. The latest CanaData Forecaster anticipates a 4.7 percent decline in total “current-dollar” (not adjusted for inflation) construction investment in Canada in 2015 compared to 2014. In terms of dollar volume, that means $171.3 billion this year, versus $179.7 billion last year.

Alberta, which accounts for 37 percent of all non-residential construction spending in Canada, is expecting to see a 9.0 percent drop compared with last year. British Columbia (-7.4 percent) and Saskatchewan (-18.5 percent) are also anticipating declines. At the other end of the spectrum, however, Manitoba and eastern Canadian provinces are all looking for nonresidential construction to be higher this year. Quebec is forecasting a 2.7 percent gain while New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are forecasting large increases of 10.1 percent and 15.6 percent respectively.

So, while the energy sector’s decline is in no way positive news for construction, it isn’t the end of the world. Eventually, demand will improve and prices will return to a more favourable and sustainable level for producers. In the meantime, there’s still a lot of construction activity occurring throughout the country, and at SMS, we look forward to working with you to help you be successful on your projects.

In this issue of Solutions, you can read about Atlantic Minerals Limited and its material supply operation in Newfoundland; the highly diversified Quebec firm Excavations Lafontaine Inc.; Saskatchewan’s United Paving; and Alberta-based companies C-Key Trucking and SunHills Mining, which operates the largest surface coal mine in Canada.

At SMS, we believe the products we sell are the best the industry has to offer. In this edition, you can learn more about the innovative Komatsu PC360LC-11 and PC390LC-11 excavators; the new Komatsu D65-18 and intelligent Machine Control D65i dozer; and the newest Wirtgen recycler/ stabilizer, the WR 240i. SMS Equipment commits to providing the support you need to get your jobs done quickly and efficiently. As always, we welcome the opportunity to earn your business.

Sincerely, Mike Granger, President & COO

SOLUTIONS

THE PRODUCTS PLUS THE LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU! Corporate Office Acheson, AB (780) 948-2200

IN THIS ISSUE

Branch Locations

SUNHILLS MINING

Acheson, AB (780) 948-2200

Fredericton, NB (506) 457-5544

Calgary, AB (403) 569-1109

Moncton, NB (506) 857-9513

Check out TransAlta’s Highvale mine, the largest surface coal mine in Canada.

EXCAVATIONS LAFONTAINE INC.

Discover how this company has tackled “all-terrain” challenges with rigour and daring for 40 years.

C-KEY TRUCKING

Take a look at a Lacombe/Ponoka aggregate supplier that builds success through hard work and quality products.

ATLANTIC MINERALS LIMITED

Learn how Lower Cove Quarry produces high-quality materials for global customers.

UNITED PAVING

Read about this Saskatchewan firm that specializes in providing small towns with exceptional paving service.

SETTING THE STANDARD

See the different ways Wirtgen’s WR 240i combines power and efficiency in recycling and stabilizing applications.

IMPROVED PERFORMANCE

Edmonton, AB (780) 451-2630 Fort McMurray (Town Site), AB (780) 791-0616 Fort McMurray (63N), AB (780) 714-5300 Grande Prairie, AB (780) 532-9410 Red Deer , AB (403) 340-8343

Thunder Bay, ON (807) 939-2262 Timmins, ON (705) 264-4300

Chibougamau, QC (418) 748-7615

Elkford, BC (250) 865-4651

Chicoutimi, QC (418) 549-0022

STRONG CHOICES

Kamloops, BC (250) 374-6961 Port Coquitlam, BC (604) 472-2650 Prince George, BC (250) 564-8841 Surrey, BC (604) 888-9700

Printed in Canada © 2015 Construction Publications, Inc.

Yellowknife, NT (867) 669-0738

Chetwynd, BC (250) 788-7920

Houston, BC (250) 845-7911

www.smsequip.com

Wabush, NL (709) 282-3777

Baie-Comeau, QC (418) 296-6671

Fort St. John, BC (250) 785-8161

Published by Construction Publications, Inc. for

St. John’s (Paradise), NL (709) 782-2151

Campbell River, BC (250) 286-0694

Study the enhancements Komatsu made to its PC360LC-11 and PC390LC-11 excavators to increase performance and lower per-ton costs.

Komatsu introduced a new intelligent Machine Control, Tier 4 Final version of its popular D65 dozer. Read about it inside.

Goose Bay, NL (709) 896-4904

Mirabel, QC (450) 434-1992 Montreal (Dorval), QC (514) 780-4600 Quebec (St-Augustin), QC (418) 870-1502 St-Bruno, QC (450) 441-1201 Trois-Rivières, QC (819) 375-9383 Val-d’Or, QC (819) 874-3733 Regina, SK (306) 359-3121

Williams Lake, BC (250) 305-1060

Saskatoon, SK (306) 931-0044

Winnipeg, MB (204) 487-1050

Whitehorse, YT (867) 335-9742

A SALUTE TO A CUSTOMER

SUNHILLS MINING

A subsidiary of TransAlta, SunHills operates the Highvale mine, Canada’s largest surface coal mine

T Mike Lydon, Operations Manager

John Grayson, Maintenance Manager

TransAlta is one of the leading power-plant operators, not only in Canada, but also in the world. The century-old company, originally known as Calgary Power, operates plants in Canada, the United States and Australia. It is an award-winning firm frequently recognized for its efforts in sustainability. TransAlta facilities use a wide range of fuel sources including geothermal, wind, hydro, natural gas and coal.

SunHills Mining, a wholly owned subsidiary of TransAlta, operates the TransAlta-owned Highvale Coal Mine, which, at 12,600 hectares, is the largest surface mine in Canada. The peninsula-shaped mine is about 38 kilometres long, but only a couple of kilometres wide and is south of Lake Wabamun. Located about 70 kilometres west of Edmonton, the Highvale mine supplies coal to power three nearby TransAlta plants – Sundance, Keephills and Keephills 3.

“Except for a relatively small amount of outside sales, we deliver coal directly to the plants – mine-to-mouth,” said SunHills Operations Manager Mike Lydon. “We produce about 14-million tonnes annually, with about 8-million tonnes going to Sundance and 5-million tonnes to the Keephills plants. Another million tonnes or so gets sold externally.”

Jonathan Soper, Supply Chain Manager

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“Our strip ratio, on average, is about seven-to-one,” said Lydon. “We do about 35-million TCMs in pre-strip operations, about 60-million TCMs with draglines and about 6-million TCMs of interburden, which is the material between two coal seams. So when you total everything including the coal, we were in the neighbourhood of 120-million TCMs of material moved in 2014.”

Lydon, Grayson and Supply Chain Manager Jonathan Soper help General Manager Ryan Braden oversee operations at the Highvale mine.

Komatsu trucks and dozers While most of the overburden at the Highvale mine is removed with draglines, including the largest dragline manufactured today, SunHills Mining also has a large fleet of mobile equipment for use in what it calls pre-strip operations.

“We might have 21 metres or more of overburden to remove to get to a coal seam,” Lydon explained. “Draglines are maximally effective only for the final 12 metres, so we pre-strip to get down to that 12-metre level where the draglines can take over.”

“Power from the plants is supplied through the Alberta Interconnected Electrical System,” said SunHills Maintenance Manager John Grayson.

SunHills Mining uses “support equipment” to pre-strip and to remove interburden. That support equipment includes nine Komatsu 930E haul trucks (300-ton) and four Komatsu D475 dozers (664 kW), as well as a D375 dozer and a D275 dozer.

To produce the 14-million tonnes of coal, SunHills Mining runs a major earthmoving operation at Highvale. To reach the coal, the company moves more than 100-million total cubic metres (TCMs) of overburden and interburden annually.

“We started running Komatsu 930E trucks in 2008, when four of the units were transferred here from a closed TransAlta mine in Washington, where I had worked prior to coming here,” said Lydon. “We added another 930E shortly after that, then

A SALUTE TO A CUSTOMER

brought on four more about two years ago. We primarily use them to haul overburden during pre-strip operations.”

“As for the large dozers, about a year or year-and-a-half ago, SMS invited us to take a look at some of the modifications they had done to the D475,” Grayson explained. “There were some things we thought were lacking in the original machine – maneuverability, control and access to repairs among them. They showed us what they had done to address the concerns we had – and we agreed, it looked like a much-improved dozer for our purposes. So, when the opportunity arose for us to freshen our large-dozer fleet last summer, we decided to go with the Komatsu D475.”

Lydon says dozer upgrades he suggested included cab mounts, a stabilizer and moving the bogies. The result?

“So far, so good,” Lydon said. “Feedback from operators is favourable. We use our D475s in pre-strip and to deal with interburden.

They’re great at ripping, pushing and piling.

Mechanical availability has been tremendous.

Uptime is crucial for us because it’s how we keep production high.”

SMS “brings a lot to the table” Both Lydon and Grayson say that type of commitment from SMS is a big reason why SunHills Mining has Komatsu trucks and dozers.

“Dealer support is very important to us, and SMS definitely delivers on that,” said Lydon.

“Putting an extra D475 on-site shows their commitment to helping us succeed. We’re not in it alone. SMS is looking out for us and is always trying to come up with answers to our problems.

We definitely appreciate that type of support.”

“The ‘swing dozer’ is just one example of how SMS works with us to help us do our jobs better and more efficiently,” added Grayson.

“Another example is our 930E trucks. The new ones have worked well, but we were having some availability issues, especially with the older models. So, working hand-in-hand with SMS, we went through a substantial rebuild this year on a lot of the old trucks, and some of the newer ones. We checked everything from hoses to harnesses – items that SMS recommended – to improve machine availability. As a result, we expect significantly improved performance going forward.”

SunHills Mining has four Komatsu D475A-5 dozers at work at the Highvale Coal Mine, which is 70 kilometres west of Edmonton. “We put the D475s into our fleet last summer after SMS and Komatsu modified the dozer to better meet our specific needs,” said Operations Manager Mike Lydon. “So far, so good. Feedback from our operators has been favourable.”

Discover more at tiny.cc/SMS-Magazine

SunHills Mining employs 170 mechanics, welders, electricians and labour servicemen in its maintenance/service division, but the company also counts on SMS for service.

“SMS provides support on our rolling stock, mostly Komatsu trucks and dozers, but other brands too,” said Grayson. “SMS helps us with rebuilds, provides expertise on advanced electronics and helps us during peaks when all our employees are busy. We probably average

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SunHills Mining anticipates future growth . . . continued

having two SMS technicians here every day. In addition to our rolling stock, SMS has been able to provide a lot of expertise on our draglines and shovels. We’ve also used them for projects such as fabricating specialized dump bodies for some of our trucks.”

“Beyond the rolling stock, we’ve done plant work for them,” said SMS PSSR Rick Randall.

“We’ve fabricated coal chutes, and done some hydraulic, gearbox and fluid-coupling repairs. We also help them maintain lube islands in the mine.”

“We try to be a source for SunHills, and all of our mining customers, beyond just supplying them with what we think is the best equipment,”

added SMS Mining Sales Rep Darren Chvojka.

“We have tradesmen with diverse backgrounds who can often come up with answers to problems – whether or not they have anything to do with Komatsu equipment.”

SunHills Mining and SMS have regularly scheduled “stewardship meetings” to discuss issues and overall operations.

“The idea is to be able to discuss solutions and directions that will help us be more efficient in our operations,” said Grayson. “The meetings are about continuous improvement in all phases of our business, and during them, SMS has often discovered opportunities to help us out. As an example, Rick Randall was instrumental in helping us clean up our fuel systems. We really didn’t even know we had a problem, but after hearing some of the issues we expressed during a stewardship meeting, he figured out we had a filtration issue.”

“One of the biggest benefits we get from SMS is outside of the normal day-to-day routine,” said Soper. “There are things we might be struggling with, and SMS can sometimes come in as an outsider, look at everything with a fresh set of eyes, and give us solutions. They have a lot of expertise that we can use to positively impact our bottom line.”

(L-R) SMS Sales Rep Darren Chvojka; SunHills Mining Maintenance Manager John Grayson, Supply Chain Manager Jonathan Soper and Operations Manager Mike Lydon; and SMS PSSR Rick Randall work together on SunHills’ equipment needs. “Dealer support is very important to us,” said Lydon. “SMS definitely delivers on that.”

SunHills Mining runs nine 300-ton Komatsu 930E haul trucks at the Highvale mine.

“The support we get from SMS goes well beyond fixing a truck or a dozer or bringing us a part,” added Grayson. “They help us be more proactive. We believe SMS brings a lot to the table for us and we like working with them.”

24/7 and 365 More than 700 people work for SunHills Mining at the Highvale mine, and that’s likely to grow.

Production is 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week and 365-days-a-year.

“The Highvale mine has been operational since 1970, but there are reserves for another 40-plus years at current production levels,” said Lydon. “The Keephills 3 plant came online just a few years ago, and it’s a 50-year plant, the most technologically advanced in Canada, so clearly, TransAlta has plans for us to be here for a while.

We have three active pits right now, but to meet expected demand, we’re planning to bring others into play in the years to come.” n

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Trouble-free operation included

A SALUTE TO A CUSTOMER

EXCAVATIONS LAFONTAINE INC.

Rigour and daring: The qualities of a team that has tackled “all-terrain” challenges for 40 years

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Building a sound-abatement wall in Charlesbourg, repairing the Grande-Allée in Quebec City and rehabilitating the fire zone in Lac-Mégantic – these are just a small sample of the many impressive projects LAFONTAINE has completed since its founding in 1975 in Saint-Malachie. At the time, Frank Lafontaine, an experienced operator, was providing heavy-machinery services on an hourly basis in the Chaudière-Appalaches area, located in southern Quebec. His clients were mostly local farmers.

In 1982, Frank’s eldest son, Frankie, joined the business and steered operations toward those of a general contractor.

Four decades of constant growth Frankie Lafontaine is a geographer by trade and holds a master’s degree in urban planning and regional development. He has all of the qualities of a builder, and under his leadership, LAFONTAINE has seen constant growth in municipal; road; and industrial and commercial infrastructure engineering. As its workforce and equipment fleet expanded with every contract, the (L-R) Director of Aggregates François Lafontaine, P.Eng., Chief Executive Officer Frankie Lafontaine; Administrative Assistant (and collaborator at every stage of the company’s growth) Francine Lafontaine; and Vice President of Construction Mathieu Lafontaine, P.Eng., work together to run LAFONTAINE.

company’s reputation for quality and reliability quickly grew as well, extending beyond the limits of Bellechasse County to Quebec City’s entire greater-metropolitan area and to the ChaudièreAppalaches region.

From 1990 to 2011, LAFONTAINE expanded six times, adding new buildings, and acquiring several gravel bars and quarries. The head office moved from Saint-Malachie to Sainte-Claire in 1990, and it eventually settled in an industrial park in Lévis in 2006, near Highway 20, where it encompasses more than 2 million square feet of property. The land was cleared of trees and developed by LAFONTAINE’s own team.

The company’s three-storey, 14,500-square-foot administrative building features 40 offices and two multimedia conference rooms, in addition to lunch and break areas for employees. It houses the executive, project estimation, and management and administration departments.

The company also erected a 23,500-square-foot building for its mechanical workshop and another 6,500-square-foot building for jobsite services in that same location.

LAFONTAINE’s equipment fleet includes impeccably maintained late-model machines, which optimize productivity. The company’s management team is intent on adopting the latest technology, so its employees are often the first to use the new technology in the Quebec City area.

Equipment and jobsite cleanliness are also constant concerns, as they reflect the quality image the company projects, which is often commented on in the industry.

While it has expanded its area of operations and increased sales, LAFONTAINE continues to specialize in public works, with 80 percent of its sales coming from provincial and municipal governments. In the winter, the company contracts with municipalities, industries and businesses for

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A SALUTE TO A CUSTOMER

LAFONTAINE operates 25 aggregate sites, including sand pits, gravel pits and quarries. This supply network helps the company control the quality of raw materials and reduce the cost of transporting them to jobsites. In addition, LAFONTAINE now has a mobile laboratory, making it possible to perform analyses directly on site, which speeds up results.

snow removal to keep it operating all year and to retain a stable base of experienced employees.

During the past 10 years, LAFONTAINE achieved a remarkable increase in its annual sales – from $14 million to more than $60 million.

In 2013, the company was ranked 15th among the “100 Construction Leaders” in Quebec.

Family portrait As the company grew, Frankie Lafontaine looked to his wife, Francine, for unwavering support. A dietetics graduate, she started out at home managing the company’s administration part-time, while she took care of their two boys, Mathieu and François. Through the years, Francine got involved in every aspect of the company, assisting both management and employees. She led the ISO certification process and continues to oversee and train personnel.

She monitors and reports on all regulatory developments in the industry, and she promotes the company in various trade and professional organizations. On a daily basis, Francine uses her expertise and knowledge of the company to improve the work environment and provide support to the company’s future, Mathieu and François. According to Frankie, life has given him two gifts: a spouse who always stands by him in the business and sons who get along.

Two young engineers at the helm Mathieu and François Lafontaine decided very early in their 20s to pursue studies they could use in the family business. Mathieu, who is 35, has a degree in civil engineering, while 31-year-old François is both a geological engineer and a geographer. However, during the course of their studies, both chose to gain experience outside

the family business, working in western Canada, northern Quebec and other places.

After graduation, both boys officially took positions at LAFONTAINE. After a year, Mathieu became the head of project estimation and management, which consists of a 16-person team, one of the biggest and most experienced in the region. When asked about his career choice, he revealed that he has always thrived under pressure and that he feels comfortable taking on a great deal of responsibility in planning and management.

François, on the other hand, put his geological knowledge to use and became director of the aggregates department. His job is to continue developing the company’s network of supply sites, and he oversees about 10 individuals who produce aggregates of all sizes.

Both young men are committed to raising the bar for excavation companies. “It’s not just about operating big machines,” declared Mathieu.

“Executing contracts requires a lot of technical skill, as well as significant analysis, discernment and imagination.”

LAFONTAINE’s accomplishments already show that the company is an expert at carrying out complex projects that require a wide range of skills.

HR priorities: selection, monitoring and development Since LAFONTAINE began, Frankie has paid particular attention to hiring employees. His goal is always to hire qualified, reliable and motivated staff to build a harmonious team with complementary talents. Another crucial aspect of human resources management is monitoring employee performance.

François Roy, SMS Sales Rep. “In my 17 years in the industry, travelling all over the Bellechasse− Capitale-Nationale area, I have watched LAFONTAINE grow with sincere admiration. This contractor conducts its business with unusual daring and remarkable tenacity.

As a representative of SMS Equipment, I am proud to be LAFONTAINE’s business partner,” said Roy.

Continued . . .

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LAFONTAINE’s accomplishments show its expertise . . . continued

AWARDS Road Engineering In Sustainable Development Award The goal of this award from the Quebec Association of Road Builders and Engineering Construction is to raise awareness among civil and road engineering stakeholders in Quebec about the importance of sustainable development in order to create a forward-thinking and prosperous, ecologically and socially responsible economy.

• 2010: While replacing the aqueduct under Rue de l’Aqueduc in Quebec City, old benzene lines were still present in the ground, but were no longer appearing on plans, and were breached. Following the emergency response and evacuation of an entire neighbourhood, LAFONTAINE suggested leaving the gas lines in place and injecting concrete into them to make them inert. The operation was carried out at a lower cost, while significantly reducing pollution.

• 2014: On 3e Avenue Ouest, in Quebec City, LAFONTAINE installed a 330-metre ovoid rainwater pipe, which was produced by the French company Hobas. A trenchless technique was used for the project, minimizing the impact on existing structures.

LAFONTAINE was the first contractor in Quebec to use this French technology. Using Hobas GRP shells means that no work will be required for at least 50 years, which significantly reduces the environmental impact.

• 2015: LAFONTAINE had a mandate to build a noise-abatement wall along Highway 73 in Charlesbourg, which the nearby residents had been wanting for a long time. The work was carried out in the dead of winter, and plans had the wall going through a wetland. Rather than build a gravel road, an ice road was built in an effort to minimize the sediments spilled into the environment and maximize the work performed in the winter. Filter bins were also used, so as not to disturb the existing plant and animal life.

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“We only keep the best,” said Frankie and Francine, a statement also unanimously shared by their two sons.

Because the Lafontaines only look for the best employees, they began sponsoring the “Excavations Lafontaine” award in 2011. The prize comes with a guaranteed job with the company and is awarded every year to a graduate of the Centre national de conduite d’engin de chantier, in Lévis (an operator training school). The honour is awarded to the person who distinguishes himself or herself by quality learning and a professional attitude.

The company also focuses on ongoing employee training to help keep on top of the latest technological developments. From administrative staff, to project estimation and management teams, to jobsite workers, all LAFONTAINE employees stay in tune with the latest technology.

“Doing it right the first time” In the construction industry, the company has a reputation of being very well-organized. Its structure and management approach are based on one basic principle: rigour. Well before it received ISO certification in 1998, LAFONTAINE implemented simple and well-documented management policies for its jobsites. Concerned with efficiency and quality, LAFONTAINE developed a jobsite management handbook for technical staff and jobsite managers. To standardize day-to-day operations on jobsites, the company constantly improves this document and spells out work instructions and management tools. There is nothing else like it in the construction industry. It is even admired by ISO compliance auditors when they conduct their annual audits.

Communication is key to ensuring LAFONTAINE’s continuous improvement process.

Each department holds a weekly meeting to elicit maximum participation and cohesion from staff.

Also, management establishes a weekly plan for each jobsite, with assessors and project leads who analyze and revise deadlines, as well as optimize personnel and physical resources.

As for mechanical maintenance and the parts department, LAFONTAINE has a meticulous monitoring system. A team of 27 individuals – supervisors, buyers, stock keepers, mechanics, welders and body-repair painters – works to keep

its equipment fleet in top operating condition.

There are also four mobile workshops providing periodic maintenance and minor repairs on the ground.

“Doing it right the first time” is not just a slogan – it is the basic principle underlying every decision that LAFONTAINE makes, as well as all of its operations.

The power of innovation LAFONTAINE invests in its employees’ skills and abilities, and in return it expects that they all share their ideas and contribute to finding solutions. In fact, this way of communicating at all levels helps stimulate the work environment and gives every employee a sense of professional achievement.

According to LAFONTAINE’s Human Resources department, “Challenging our staff helps strengthen their sense of belonging to the company and minimizes turnover,” which is very low in all departments at LAFONTAINE. Indeed, the slogan displayed in the company’s offices speaks quite eloquently to this sense of community: Une équipe, ça s’entraide (teamwork means helping one another).

The staff has often suggested technical improvements that helped facilitate day-to-day work and boost overall productivity among teams in the mechanical workshop and on jobsites.

LAFONTAINE continues to distinguish itself by using its staff’s ingenuity and engineering skills to respond to specific project challenges, as well as to execute demanding and complex projects.

The company is regularly recognized by its peers. For example, LAFONTAINE received the Road Engineering in Sustainable Development Award three times from the Association des constructeurs de route et grands travaux du Québec (Quebec Association of Road Builders and Engineering Construction) as part of its annual conferences in 2010, 2014 and 2015. (See sidebar on previous page.)

LAFONTAINE also regularly receives testimonials from citizens and elected officials who take the time to send thank-you letters congratulating the work teams for their courteous

Constantly thinking outside the box, LAFONTAINE takes every problem it encounters as a challenge. Often, departments need to collaborate.

For example, the company was contracted in 2014 to insert an aqueduct under 800 metres of Décarie Boulevard in Montreal. The aqueduct was in four sections, so to make things easier at the jobsite, LAFONTAINE’s mechanical team designed and built a custom hydraulic “pipe pusher.”

The project was a success. The aqueduct was quite efficiently inserted.

Representatives from Hobas, the French company that designed the conduit, were amazed by how well the ingenious system performed.

Another example of technological innovation by the mechanical workshop involved the person in charge of Training, Support and Development who designed a robot to clean the dust extractor filters more easily. The robot, which was created in LAFONTAINE’s workshop, features compressed-air nozzles that rotate down the filter. It helps reduce the man-hours devoted to this tedious task, ensures a healthier work environment and extends the useful life of the filters. A great achievement!

and respectful demeanor, especially while working in the cramped streets of Vieux Québec and in high-traffic tourist areas.

A diversified equipment fleet The LAFONTAINE equipment fleet is segmented by product category – larger excavators, smaller excavators, articulated trucks, wheel loaders, small dozers and large dozers – and each type of product is linked to a specific brand/manufacturer.

LAFONTAINE started using Komatsu machines approximately eight years ago. The company was initially looking for a reliable dozer for its large, civil-engineering projects, and it selected medium-to-large Komatsu dozers, including a D65PX-12, a D65PX-15 and a D155AX-6. “In this category, nothing beats Komatsu dozers,” declared Frankie.

Continued . . .

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Company leaders keep moving forward . . . continued

To help LAFONTAINE meet equipment needs for its various other categories, SMS responded with a team of dedicated representatives, led

by François Roy. LAFONTAINE chose several Komatsu excavators, as well as a WA320 wheel loader, an HM400 articulated truck and a Kleemann MC19Z screen.

“For our jobs in restricted areas, we rely heavily on short-radius Komatsu excavators with proven reliability,” explained Frankie. “We now own five PC228s, one PC138 and one PC35. One of the primary criteria for us when purchasing equipment is the operational cost (maintenance and fuel consumption), and with Komatsu machines, we’re pleased with both.”

In addition to the equipment, Frankie said he is very happy with the service and the advice he gets from SMS – something LAFONTAINE strives to give its own customers.

Values and strengths When asked about LAFONTAINE’s strengths, Mathieu and François stated, “Rigour, drive and planning.”

LAFONTAINE is always very conscientious of meeting deadlines. Through rigorous project coordination and solid management and work teams, turnaround times are met. If necessary, the company doubles its efforts, scheduling teams to work evenings and sometimes at night. Every week the schedule for each jobsite is meticulously reviewed and updated.

Every team member is tasked with finding solutions to maximize operations.

That being said, the directors humbly recognize that mistakes can’t always be avoided. The company favours a “solution action” approach to make sure it learns from its mistakes. Mathieu Lafontaine explained that the idea is to focus on consulting with the team, carefully examining each project and identifying what was done right and what could have been done better.

Although it specializes in major urban works, LAFONTAINE is becoming more diversified by building on its skills and strengths. “We are not content to just stay where we are. We are always moving forward,” declared Frankie. In 2013, LAFONTAINE was qualified for “Complex Structures” by the Ministère des Transports, authorizing it to work on contracts for bridges and overpasses.

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Building the future “L’art et le savoir pour construire l’avenir” (the art and know-how for building the future) is the motto that is part and parcel of LAFONTAINE, and it reflects the fundamental motivation driving its leaders, including the CEO. “As I hand the company down to the next generation, my role is to help my sons preserve the gains we have made.

A crucial aspect of this is to plan the succession of employees,” Frankie said. He knows the importance of transferring expertise to younger generations, and that process is underway. “Both our sons must ensure that key positions are filled and that they have qualified managers they can rely on.”

Knowing the challenges that await them, Mathieu and François are motivated to maintain the company culture that has secured LAFONTAINE’s success. Of course, they bring their own vision of the future to the table, each inspired by his unique experiences. “We want to push our expertise even further,” declared Mathieu, now Vice President of Construction.

“We want to take on more technically difficult projects to become a leader in our specialty areas – municipal and road engineering.” François, currently Director of Aggregates, wants to enhance LAFONTAINE’s reputation as an aggregate producer in the Quebec City area. “The company has grown along with its workforce. I believe that by working on distinct specialties, we can expand our area of operations,” he said.

Ambition is ubiquitous within the company, as are the work efforts made every day. Everyone works long work weeks, yet they still make room for family time. The Lafontaines set aside time for hunting – from November to October, joked Francine – and for playing hockey. Speaking of our national sport, for the past several years, the company has sponsored a junior AA team: the LAFONTAINE de Bellechasse. In 2014, the team won the Chaudière-Appalaches championship and went on to represent the region in the provincial tournament in Laval. In April 2015, the team won the tournament (the Dodge Cup).

No doubt the players find inspiration in the contractor’s strategies, hard work and the integrity of its leaders. It is safe to say that LAFONTAINE will continue on its course with as much success as its ambassadors on the ice. ■

PROJECTS Management and employees at LAFONTAINE take great pride in their accomplishments • 2013-2014: Drolet-Valets pumping stations, Quebec City − $4.6 million This contract consisted of rebuilding two major pumping stations without interruption in service. The Drolet pumping station required, among other things, building a sheet-pile support, given the excavation depth of 7 metres and the site’s proximity to the Lorette River. The work was done during the winter, and the roads were rebuilt in Spring 2014.

• 2014: Rehabilitation of a fire zone, Lac-Mégantic − $2.7 million Following prequalification, LAFONTAINE submitted a bid and won the contract to decontaminate the fire zone from the July 2013 train-derailment tragedy. The project required excavating and disposing of more than 150,000 tonnes of contaminated materials. The excavated areas were backfilled with material previously excavated and decontaminated by LVM Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in soil, materials and environmental engineering. The Agnes Street bridge abutment was also decontaminated, and the bridge’s approach slab was rebuilt.

• 2014: Construction of a parking lot, Cité de la Coopération Desjardins, Lévis − $4.9 million Following a significant increase in the number of on-site employees (to 7,000), Desjardins needed to redesign and expand its parking lots to add about 1,200 new parking spots.

The work involved excavating 40,000 cubic metres of material; 1,860 linear metres of downspouts; three treatment units; and 69 sumps. All of this was brilliantly accomplished within a tight, 18-week deadline.

• 2014: Ministère des Transports du Québec (Quebec’s Provincial Department of Transportation), Jean-Perrin culvert repair, Quebec City − $1.2 million This contract covered the replacement of an 8 metre-wide sheet-metal culvert with a concrete arched culvert and 20 half-arches. This was only the second culvert of this type installed in Quebec for the MTQ. Because the project took place beside Autoroute de la Capitale, it presented a number of challenges, including the complexity of installing concrete arches; building four wing walls with an excavated bottom lower than the bottom of the waterway; and water-management issues due to the very strong and quick reaction of the Duberger River to heavy rains.

• 2014-2015: Repairs to the Grande Allée, Quebec City − $10.7 million Repairing 1 kilometre of the Grande Allée in Quebec City required intense planning by jobsite managers. The local and pedestrian circulation had to be maintained in this high-traffic area of Quebec. A flood of workers focusing on different aspects of the project simultaneously occupied the jobsite. The crews included two installation teams; casers; reinforcing iron workers; mechanical-process pipe fitters; electricians; and curb, paving and landscaping subcontractors. Superb planning is what made this project a success.

• 2014-2015: Drinking water and wastewater municipal infrastructure upgrade, Saint-Pierre-de-Broughton − $8.4 million LAFONTAINE is completely rehabilitating the water infrastructure in this village, including a drinking-water treatment facility and a wastewater-treatment facility. The 35-week project began last fall and is expected to be completed this summer.

• 2014-2015: MTQ, Boulevard Champlain renovation project, Quebec City − $24 million This major contract consists of completely rebuilding both sides of Boulevard Champlain, which is nearly 1.8 kilometres, between the Pierre-Laporte bridge and the Des Cageux wharf. It includes installing eight outfalls with a diameter varying between 750 and 2,100 centimetres; working on pedestrian crossings; rebuilding the slope going down to the river; and extending the pedestrian and multifunctional path leading to the staircase to the Des Grèves path. The work began in August 2014 and will continue through August 2016.

13

A SALUTE TO A CUSTOMER

1331109 ALBERTA LTD./C-KEY TRUCKING LTD.

Lacombe/Ponoka aggregate supplier builds success through hard work and a focus on quality products

Discover more at tiny.cc/SMS-Magazine

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Building a successful business involves making sacrifices and tough decisions, including long hours spent away from family. Nobody knows that better than Corrie and Natalie Key, who operate C-Key Trucking Ltd. and 1331109 Alberta Ltd. in Lacombe/Ponoka, Alberta.

“We have shed a lot of blood, sweat and tears during the years to build both companies to where they are today. In the early days of the trucking company, the only

Corrie and Natalie Key operate 1331109 Alberta Ltd. and C-Key Trucking Ltd. The Lacombe/Ponoka, Alberta,-based businesses supply sand and gravel to several markets and customers. Corrie and Natalie started C-Key Trucking Ltd. in 1986, and the couple started 1331109 Alberta Ltd., an aggregate supplier company, 10 years ago.

time I knew I could spend with Corrie was on Wednesday nights when he would service the gravel truck, and I would clean the cab and hand him wrenches,” said Natalie.

“My dad and I both farmed years ago,” said Corrie. “Dad had crop land and cattle, and I had a dairy farm on his land. My dad, Raymond Key, had gravel on a quarter of his land and decided to quit farming and start Key’s Loader Service, supplying aggregate to area farmers and oil companies. In 1986, I sold my dairy farm, bought a gravel truck and started C-Key Trucking Ltd. One truck led to three, and we’ve been hauling for local aggregate producers and asphalt companies now for 20 years.

“In 2006, my dad was planning to retire, and it only made sense for us to buy the pit as an add-on to the trucking company, so we started 1331109 Alberta Ltd. and haven’t looked back,” recalled Corrie.

1331109 Alberta Ltd. is currently working out of the Spruceville Pit (Eadie) in Lacombe County. It maintains aggregate inventories of 20 mm, 40 mm and 80 mm crushed gravel; 20 mm and 40 mm screened rock; pit run; and screenings. Last year, its Komatsu loaders loaded out 700,000 tonnes of product, which kept the three loaders very busy. The Keys expect that the Spruceville Pit has enough reserves to last at least another decade.

“We’re very meticulous when it comes to the quality and consistency of our products,” said Natalie. “Sieve analysis testing is done continuously to ensure the product is in spec.

It’s helped us build a solid reputation as a trusted supplier and has gained us many repeat, long-term customers.”

14

A SALUTE TO A CUSTOMER

An operator loads a C-Key Trucking dump truck with a Komatsu WA480-6 wheel loader at the 1331109 Alberta Ltd. pit in Lacombe County. “We bought our first Komatsu loader, a WA480, about 10 years ago and put nearly 6,000 hours on it before we traded it in,” said Owner Corrie Key. “Other than routine maintenance, I think it only had two hours of downtime. That speaks for itself and illustrates why we continue to buy Komatsu.”

“Reclamation is a very high priority in our pits, and we work on it daily,” said Corrie. “We are very pleased with the performance of our Komatsu rock trucks, as they are a huge part of our reclamation process.”

Komatsu reliability Moving materials and loading trucks is mainly done with Komatsu equipment, including three wheel loaders (two WA480-6s and a WA470-7) and three HM300 articulated trucks.

“Komatsu became our machinery of choice for a couple of reasons,” said Corrie.

“One, everyone we talked to as we were looking for equipment gave it good reviews, and another was that we saw the crushing company put their Komatsus through some rigorous paces without issue, so we knew it was reliable and productive. Komatsu proved itself. We bought our first Komatsu loader, a WA480, about 10 years ago and put nearly 6,000 hours on it before we traded it in. Other than routine maintenance, I think it only had two hours of downtime. That speaks for itself and illustrates why we continue to buy Komatsu.”

The Keys say another reason they buy Komatsu is the service they get from SMS

Moving materials at the 1331109 Alberta Ltd. pit is done with Komatsu HM300 articulated haul trucks.

Equipment Company’s Red Deer branch, including Sales Rep Stan Siebel; Parts Manager Darren Ondik; Field Supervisor Dwayne Hagel; and Operations Manager Bruce Basisty.

Continued . . .

15

C-Key strives to provide the best products to its customers . . . continued

“They take care of us, 100 percent,” said Natalie. “We appreciate their honesty and ability to ensure we have the proper equipment and support to back it up. SMS’ technicians handle routine services complimentary with the Komatsu CARE program on the Tier 4 machines, which is fantastic. They track them with KOMTRAX – which we also use to keep an eye on our machines – and come out at a time convenient for us. We’ve come to expect that if we have an issue, SMS will respond right away, and they’ve never let us down.”

Sacrifices pay off Currently the Keys have about eight employees, many of whom have worked for them for a long time. “They are very dedicated and loyal employees. They have helped Corrie and me gain back some quality time with our children and grandchildren,” said Natalie. Her brother, Norman Deal, is one such

key individual. Norm oversees all of the pit operations and trucking needs in their absence.

Other key employees include Equipment Operators Dwight Nicholson, Jason Penner, Joe Valiquette, Mike McDonagh and Kevin Wilson.

“We wouldn’t be where we are today without them, and they’ve helped us grow to a point where last year was a record-setter for us in terms of volume,” said Corrie.

“Corrie and I remain highly involved in the day-to-day operations, including running equipment and the office or going to get parts, as well as other things that keep the business going,” said Natalie. “That’s probably always going to be the case with a business our size, and that’s fine with us. Our goal remains to supply our customers with the best products and make a good living for us and for our employees. We believe that through the years SMS Equipment in Red Deer has, without a doubt, helped us to achieve that goal.” n

SMS Equipment Company Sales Rep Stan Siebel (far left) stops by the 1331109 Alberta Ltd. pit to visit with the staff and owners of the pit and C-Key Trucking. “They take care of us, 100 percent,” said Natalie Key about SMS Equipment. “We appreciate their honesty and ability to ensure we have the proper equipment and support to back it up. We’ve come to expect that if we have an issue, SMS will respond right away, and they’ve never let us down.”

16

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1 855-4KRENTS (457-3687) KRents@smsequip.com

smsequip.com *Select Locations Only

A SALUTE TO A CUSTOMER

ATLANTIC MINERALS LIMITED

Company’s Lower Cove Quarry produces high-quality materials for global customers

L Atlantic Minerals uses its new PC2000LC-8 to load 100-ton trucks. “The excavator is powerful and fills our trucks quickly,” said Operator Gordon Bullen.

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Located along the southwest coast of Newfoundland, on the Port au Port Peninsula, Atlantic Minerals Limited’s (AML) Lower Cove Quarry has some of the world’s most massive and dense deposits of high-calcium limestone and dolomite. Lower Cove processes proven reserves of more than 150 million metric tonnes of limestone and nearly 90 million metric tonnes of dolomite into a large number of products that are used in a variety of industries, mainly iron ore and construction.

The 2,900-acre quarry location allows for fast, efficient shipping to customers along the Atlantic Coast of North America, South

America, Europe and Africa. In addition to the Lower Cove Quarry, AML has an additional 13,000 acres of licensed claims on the peninsula, giving the company more than 1 billion metric tonnes of reserves to tap into in the years ahead.

New PC2000LC-8 AML has expanded the Lower Cove Quarry during the past two decades, and it continues to refine and streamline operations to increase production and efficiency. Part of its recent efforts included upgrading equipment. With the help of SMS Equipment, AML added a Komatsu PC2000LC-8 excavator.

Atlantic Minerals added a 200-ton-class Komatsu PC2000LC-8 excavator as part of its recent expansion of the Lower Cove Quarry. “The PC2000 is very well built, and we expect good reliability and long service life,” said Maintenance Foreman Bill Forsey.

The company uses the massive 200-ton-class excavator to load 100-ton trucks that haul material from the quarry to the primary crusher.

“The excavator is very powerful and fills our trucks quickly,” said Operator Gordon Bullen. Plant Manager Dave McIsaac added, “Our new crusher is very hungry, and the PC2000 helps keep it fed.”

Plant Engineer Raymond Fitzpatrick said the PC2000LC-8 has decreased wait time during loading and improved cycle time from the quarry to the new primary crusher.

He added that the crusher, along with additional new equipment, should increase production and efficiency enough to allow Atlantic Minerals to reduce its night shifts.

The PC2000LC-8 should also reduce owning and operating costs, according to Maintenance Foreman Bill Forsey. “The PC2000 is very well built, and we expect good reliability and long service life.” n

To climb aboard the massive Komatsu PC2000LC-8 excavator, an operator uses the machine’s hydraulic ladder that leads to the catwalk above it and into the cab.

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UNDERCARRIAGE ANNOUNCEMENT SMS Equipment and Komatsu have been committed to reducing undercarriage component pricing. Through this collaborative process we will continue to provide the highest quality and performance on OEM undercarriage parts at market competitive pricing. There has been significant price reduction to a wide range of OEM undercarriage parts.

Please contact your local SMS Equipment branch or representative to discuss our new OEM undercarriage pricing as well as our exciting new bonus program.

BONUS SAVINGS! »

V I NG SA- UP TO - S

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In addition to new lower pricing, take advantage of the following savings from now until January 31, 2016. additional *

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• D61 Conventional • D65 Conventional • PC200 • PC300 • PC400 • D51 PLUS • D61 PLUS • D65 PLUS for 15 Months on orders between $7,500 to $50,000 *Conditions apply.

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OFF

A SALUTE TO A CUSTOMER

UNITED PAVING

Saskatchewan firm specializes in providing small towns with exceptional paving service

I

In 2004, Ben Wilkinson, a farmer from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, decided he wanted a change of scenery and change of career, so he bought into an asphalt paving firm in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. He has since acquired 100 percent of the company and today is sole proprietor and President of United Paving.

“I’m proud to say that every year we’ve generated more business and gained more clients,” said Wilkinson. “We now have a good list of individuals and communities that we work with regularly from one end of Saskatchewan to the other.”

great job for us and are like extended family.

One of the things I look for when hiring, in addition to paving skills, is personality. We live on the road and put in 12 to 14 hours a day around hot asphalt. Sometimes it’s tough to be positive all day long, but our people manage to keep a good attitude and are very helpful. I’m grateful for them, because without them, I’m nothing.”

Discover more at tiny.cc/SMS-Magazine

Continued . . .

Owner Ben Wilkinson (right) works closely with his son Justin, who has a civil engineering degree and is the paver operator for United Paving.

United Paving does highway maintenance, but its specialty is working for small towns.

“We have a unique relationship with many communities, such as Shaunavon, Carlyle, Redvers, Humboldt and others,” he explained. “Every summer, they have a certain amount of money in their budgets set aside for paving projects. We come into the towns and go to work, taking care of as many streets as their budgets will allow. They are relationships built on trust, and that’s a really great place to be.”

United Paving uses a Vögele 5200-2 paver on a recent project in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan. “It’s a great paver,” said Paver Operator Justin Wilkinson. “As an operator, it makes me look good, which I appreciate.”

United Paving is a family business. In addition to Ben, his wife, Cheryl, and son Justin are also heavily involved. Cheryl is a registered nurse who runs the company’s safety program. Justin has a civil engineering degree and currently runs the back end of the paver. Wilkinson also relies heavily on Asphalt Plant Manager Wade Mitchell.

“We employ about two-dozen people during the paving season, many of whom come back year-after-year,” said Wilkinson. “They do a

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United Paving strives to give personalized service . . . continued

With its own asphalt plant and trucks, Wilkinson says United Paving is very self-sufficient.

“We do the vast majority of our work in-house with our own people, but occasionally, we need help,” said Wilkinson.

“When we’re in that situation, we sub work out to Blackrock Paving of Nipawin (owned

by Jody Funk) and Ruszkowski Enterprises of Prince Albert (owned by Adam Ruszkowski).

We’re confident in using either of those two companies at any time because they share our work ethic and, like us, take a lot of pride in delivering a top-quality final product.”

Vögele pavers and SMS support In order to deliver quality projects, United Paving recently turned to several Wirtgen Group machines from SMS Equipment in Regina and Sales Rep Clinton Templeton. The company has a Vögele Vision 5200-2 rubber track, high-speed paver that can lay down as much as 1,200 tonnes per hour; a Vögele Super 700 for smaller jobs, such as utility paving, road shoulders and widening, and for paving in confined areas; and a Hamm HD90 roller.

A United Paving operator uses a Hamm HD90 roller to compact asphalt. Owner Ben Wilkinson says he’s been very pleased with the performance of the Hamm roller, which he acquired largely because of the support he received from SMS Equipment.

“The parts and service support we get from SMS is tremendous. It’s nice to be with a dealer we know is going to be there for us,” said Wilkinson.

“We saw Vögele pavers all over Saskatchewan,” said Justin Wilkinson. “We had heard good things about them, and we needed a paver, so we thought we should give the 5200-2 a try. We haven’t had it very long, but on the jobs we have used it, I’d say it’s a great paver. As an operator, it makes me look good, which I appreciate. As for the Super 700, it’s also really nice. Being small, it takes a little getting used to, but once you do, it’s actually a lot of fun to run.”

Ben Wilkinson says he’s been very pleased with the performance of the Vögele pavers and Hamm roller, which he says he acquired largely because of the support he received from SMS on a Wirtgen mill.

“We purchased the mill used from another source. We were mid-way through a good-size job and started having some issues. We called the salesman and the dealer, and nothing.

The support was non-existent. We were in a real bind, so we called SMS, and they’ve been our ‘go-to’ dealer ever since. The parts and service support we get from Clint and SMS is tremendous. It’s nice to be with a dealer we know is going to be there for us.”

Optimistic about what lies ahead As Ben Wilkinson looks to the future, he likes what he sees. He says he was a little concerned going into this year, but now he’s almost fully scheduled through the end of the season.

“If we wanted to expand, we could probably have twice as many employees and another plant. But I’m not very interested in doing that. I think if we start spreading ourselves too thin, we could lose the quality control we have now. We could also lose some of the personal touch we have with clients, which is one of the reasons these towns trust us like they do.

“We like to say, ‘What’s small for the big boys, is big for us.’ That’s why we treat all of our clients like they’re important – because to us, they are,” continued Ben. “As long as we keep taking care of these longtime customers, which means giving them personalized service and delivering high-quality paving projects at a fair price, I think we’ll be in good shape for years to come.” ■

22

Available at your authorized Wirtgen dealer.

1 866-458-0101 smsequip.com

Fecon FTX128L The FTX128L is engineered to handle a variety of productive forestry and land-clearing attachments. In-cab adjustable flow makes it possible to switch between approved attachments. The universal quick-attach coupler is compatible with most skid steer attachments, giving greater versatility for profitability.

Other features include: • Unmatched front, rear and side visibility • Exceptional service access • Corner entry cab with 4-point support • Strong track power with low ground pressure • Unparalleled range of motion on the mulching head

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128 HP High Performance Compact Track Loader

SETTING THE STANDARD

Wirtgen’s WR 240i combines power, efficiency in recycling, stabilizing applications

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New road construction often involves recycling old pavement. It can also mean stabilizing incohesive soils. Wirtgen’s versatile all-wheel drive WR 240i stabilizer handles both in a powerful package that provides a working width of more than 2 metres and a maximum depth of 50 centimetres.

As a soil stabilizer, the WR 240i works equally well on large construction sites, highway rights of way and other types of projects that use any stabilizing medium.

As a cold recycler, it can recycle 100 percent of existing deteriorated asphalt pavements.

Water, cement or lime slurry, asphalt emulsion, or foamed asphalt can be used. The WR 240i creates the latter in its mixing chamber.

with the highly responsive joystick in the right-hand armrest.

Wirtgen offers an optional high-resolution color camera that can be installed at various points of the machine, which allows the operator to monitor processes under way. By using the joystick, the operator can select the view, which results in a significant increase in performance, economic efficiency and work quality. n

Wirtgen’s versatile WR 240i can handle multiple tasks, including soil stabilization and cold recycling. Typical applications include construction of paths, roads, parking lots, airports, dams and a whole host of others.

Quick Specs on Wirtgen’s WR 240i Recycler/Stabilizer

Model

Horsepower

Working Width

Working Depth

WR 240i

447 kW (600 hp)

2.16 m (7 ft 10 in)

50.8 cm (20 in)

The 447-kilowatt WR 240i performs both soil stabilization and cold recycler functions efficiently and economically with machine output optimized by a power plant that has high torque reserves. Nine rotator speeds guarantee optimum mixing performance, aided by computer-controlled metering technology with automatic monitoring to ensure exactly the right mix.

Comfortable cabin A spacious cabin with a camera system and a driver’s seat that can be turned up to 90 degrees, gives the operator a clear, constant all-around view of the machine and the project site. The cabin can be displaced beyond the right-hand edge of the machine, permitting a direct view of the milled edge. Operators can control all basic functions easily and conveniently

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How do you improve both excavating efficiency and precision? Managing advanced sensor types and hydraulic control logic to make life easier, the operator is automatically limited from digging below grade and assisted in quickly pulling a precise surface. The intelligent Machine Control system is factory installed and engineer integrated. And that’s why I AM KOMATSU.

IMPROVED PERFORMANCE

Enhancements give PC360LC-11, PC390LC-11 increased performance and lower per-ton costs

B

Building on the success of the previous models, Komatsu has designed its new PC360LC-11 and PC390LC-11 excavators to increase production.

These Tier 4 Final versions have 192-kilowatt (257-horsepower), environmentally friendly engines that provide high levels of performance, while reducing operating costs and improving fuel efficiency.

Komatsu enhanced the new excavators’ Power mode with improved hydraulic-control logic, resulting in better performance, according to Kurt Moncini, Komatsu Product Manager, Excavators.

Power is one of six working modes that allow operators to match the machine performance to the application.

“The enhanced Power mode combines flow from both pumps and has an improved engine power match to the hydraulics when digging,” said Moncini. “That creates better cycle times and digging performance and lowers per-ton costs. During testing, we saw up to 4-percent improved performance, although, it would not surprise us to see even greater performance with experienced operators.”

Additional new features include an Operator Identification System, which reports key information for different operators, applications or job locations, and the Auto Idle Shutdown

Kurt Moncini, Komatsu Product Manager, Excavators

Continued . . .

Quick Specs on Komatsu’s PC360LC-11 and PC390LC-11 Excavators Net Horsepower

Operating Weight

Bucket Capacity

PC360LC-11

Model

192 kW (257 hp)

35,673-36,536 kg (78,645 - 80,547 lbs)

.63-2.0 m3 (.82-2.56 cu yds)

PC390LC-11

192 kW (257 hp)

39,639-40,482 kg (87,388 - 89,248 lbs) .68-2.22 m3 (.89-2.91 cu yds) Komatsu’s new excavators feature an enhanced Power mode with improved hydraulic-control logic, resulting in better performance.

PC360LC-11

PC390LC-11

27

Operator comforts and technology upgrades built into cab . . continued

function that helps reduce idle time, as well as operating costs. Both features can be tracked through the latest KOMTRAX technology, which provides essential data, such as fuel and diesel-exhaust fluid levels, operating hours, location, cautions and maintenance alerts.

“Snappy response” The excavators maintain the horsepower of their predecessors, with a less-than-1-percent increase in operating weight. The PC390LC-11 continues to feature a one-class-size-larger undercarriage with heavy-duty components, which gives it high lift capacity and lateral stability. The larger undercarriage has a 6-percent-wider track gauge and offers up to 18-percent-greater over-the-side lift capacity than the PC360LC-11.

“The PC360LC-11 is a good fit, right in between a utility-size machine and bigger excavators,” said Moncini. “It’s great for site development, trenching, pipeline and general construction applications. It’s easy to transport and provides high performance.

The new PC390LC-11 continues to feature a one-class-size-larger undercarriage with heavy-duty components, which gives it high lift capacity and lateral stability.

The larger undercarriage has a 6-percent-wider track gauge and offers up to 18-percent-greater over-the-side lift capacity than the PC360LC-11.

“When a company needs extra lift capacity, that’s where the PC390LC-11 comes in,” he added. “Even though we didn’t change the horsepower, we’re seeing a better response from this model. During testing, users described it as ‘snappy’ and were extremely pleased with the increased production they were getting.”

Large, comfortable cab Both models feature a large, comfortable cab specifically designed for hydraulic excavators.

It is both ROPS and OPG Level 1 certified and gains strength from a reinforced box-structure framework. The cab is mounted on viscous isolation dampers, which provide low vibration levels. A standard, heated, air-suspension high-back seat with fully adjustable armrests provides improved comfort. In addition to a standard AM/FM stereo, an auxiliary input for connecting external devices is provided to play music through the cab’s speakers. Additionally, both models feature two 12-volt power ports, and optional joysticks are available with proportional controls for attachment operation.

For global support, the high-resolution, 18-centimetre (7-inch) LCD color monitor has enhanced capabilities and displays information in 33 languages. The monitor panel provides information on DEF level, eco guidance, operational records, fuel-consumption history and utilization. A new display interface combines vehicle information with a wide landscape view from the standard rearview camera, so the operator can easily view the working area directly behind the machine.

The new excavators are equipped with the exclusive Komatsu EMMS (Equipment Management Monitoring System). The system has diagnostic features to give operators and technicians greater monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities for preventive maintenance, which minimizes diagnostic and repair time.

“Komatsu covers routine scheduled service complimentary through our Komatsu CARE program for the first three years or 2,000 hours,” said Moncini. “The PC360LC and PC390LC have been among our most popular models for many years due to their productivity and efficiency, and these new models build on the foundation of their predecessors.” n

28

A SALUTE TO A CUSTOMER

STRONG CHOICES

Komatsu introduces new intelligent Machine Control, Tier 4 Final version of popular D65 dozer

K Jason Anetsberger, Komatsu Product Manager, Intelligent Machine Control

Chuck Murawski, Komatsu Product Manager, Dozers

Komatsu continues to lead by example in dozer automation and integration with its new D65PXi-18. Like the other members of the integrated machine-control family, the new dozer offers automatic blade control from rough-cut to finish grade.

grading accuracy on a cross-slope, whether the blade is angled or not. The dozers are significantly more efficient compared to conventional aftermarket machine-control systems, depending on operation and conditions.

The D65PXi-18 is an intelligent Machine Control (iMC) dozer with factory-integrated machine-control system components, which eliminate the need for traditional blade-mounted masts and cables. A Global Navigation Satellite System antenna is mounted on top of the cab. Additional components include robust, stroke-sensing hydraulic cylinders, an enhanced inertial measurement unit and a touch-screen display mounted inside the cab.

“The system senses excess blade load during rough-cut and automatically raises the blade to minimize track slip, as needed, and to maintain momentum,” said Jason Anetsberger, Komatsu Product Manager, Intelligent Machine Control. “It also automatically lowers the blade to push as much material as possible until the grade is reached, thereby maximizing production in all situations.”

A stroke-sensing angle cylinder measures the actual angle of the blade for high-precision

New Tier 4 Final D65-18 dozers have more powerful engines, and the D65EXi-18, D65EX-18 and D65WX-18 dozers are equipped with a patented Komatsu SIGMADOZER blade that provides large-capacity dozing of 5.6, 5.61 and 5.90 cubic meters (7.3, 7.34 and 7.72 cubic yards), respectively.

Selectable dozing modes Operators can select different dozing modes, which tailor the system response to the machine operation and optimize performance. Operators can also adjust the blade-load settings to match material conditions for added efficiency.

“As with all of our intelligent Machine Control dozers, the D65PXi-18 produces results that lower owning and operating costs associated with traditional blade-mounted sensors and makes the next generation of machine operators more productive and efficient,” said Anetsberger.

New, more powerful engine The iMC dozers were one of many machines to receive an upgrade. All Komatsu D65PXi-18 dozers, whether iMC or not, feature a stronger, 162-kilowatt (217-horsepower) engine that delivers high performance and low fuel usage and operating costs.

30

Quick Specs on Komatsu’s D65i-18 and D65-18 Dozers

Model

Net Horsepower

Operating Weight

Blade Capacity

D65EXi-18

162 kW (217 hp)

20,765 kg (45,780 lbs)

5.6 m3 (7.3 cu yds*)

D65PXi-18

162 kW (217 hp)

22,870 kg (50,420 lbs)

4.4 m3 (5.8 cu yds**)

162 kW (217 hp)

20,697 kg (45,628 lbs)

5.61 m3 (7.34 cu yds*)

D65EX-18

D65WX-18

162 kW (217 hp)

22,117 kg (48,760 lbs)

5.90 m3 (7.72 cu yds*)

162 kW (217 hp)

23,569 kg (51,960 lbs)

4.42 m3 (5.78 cu yds**)

D65PX-18

* With standard SIGMADOZER blade

** With standard PAT blade

The all-new D65-18 also has an automatic transmission with lockup torque converter, which lowers fuel consumption and raises powertrain efficiency. The lockup mechanics of the torque converter automatically transfer engine power directly to the transmission, reducing fuel consumption by as much as 10 percent. Operators can easily choose from two gearshift modes, Automatic and Manual, to fit the appropriate application: Auto for general dozing and Manual for dozing and ripping in rough ground.

Patented SIGMADOZER blade The D65-18 SIGMADOZER blade increases soil capture and limits spillage by rolling material to the center of the blade. It also reduces digging resistance, producing smoother material flow; more dozed soil with less power; and up to 15-percent-more productivity, compared to conventional Semi-U blades.

Komatsu’s new D65PXi-18 intelligent Machine Control dozer features automatic blade control from rough-cut to finish grade. Operators can also adjust the blade-load settings to match actual material conditions for added efficiency.

“The D65-18s are great, all-around machines,” said Chuck Murawski, Komatsu Product Manager, Dozers. “They remain among the most popular in their size class because they offer excellent production for large dozing jobs but are small enough for finish grading on most jobsites. They manage to burn less fuel, while being more productive than their predecessors.”

The D65-18 dozers come standard with Komatsu’s new Operator Identification System, which reports key information for multiple operators, and the new Auto Idle Shutdown function that helps reduce idle time and operating costs. The new dozers have the latest version of KOMTRAX, providing data on fuel and DEF levels, operating hours, locations, cautions and other vital information. The machines are also covered by the pioneering Komatsu CARE maintenance and service program. n

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