Fuel Savings For Booth Ventures With Hyundai HX360L

Warrington-based land development expert Booth Ventures has put a Next Generation Hyundai HX360L crawler excavator to work within its Ravenhead Quarry, near Skelmersdale. The 36-tonne machine replaces a larger model that had been working at the site, resulting in major fuel savings with no drop in productivity.

Ravenhead is a bullion sandstone site, that mainly produces a 6F5 crushed stone aggregate, for use as a sub-base or capping material. With a production level of around 5,000-tonnes a week, the material is broken out using crawler excavators with hydraulic breakers. This material is then run through an in-pit McCluskey J45 crusher, before being hauled out to storage and distribution areas.

Booth Ventures already has a Hyundai HX330A L excavator on its fleet and the HX360L has been brought in to replace an aging larger competitor within the quarry. The Next Generation model is capable of using the same hydraulic breaker as the heavier excavator, boosting productivity for the quarry.

“It’s far more efficient, better on fuel and we are seeing less in repairs,” said Stuart Andrews, Booth Ventures’ Fleet and Plant Manager.

“We are seeing up to a 7% fuel saving compared with the older HX330 when carrying out the same work, that’s as much as 3 litres an hour.”

Hyundai’s Next Generation HX360L is a 36-tonne crawler model that is powered by Hyundai’s own DX08 diesel engine. This six-cylinder Stage V diesel engine delivers 227kW (304hp) yet consumes up to 7% less fuel than the previous A-Series machine. The engine also uses up to 30% less AdBlue, which along with 1,000-hour service intervals, results in maintenance savings for customers.

The machine is one of the first in the Hyundai range to use full electro-hydraulic (FEH) levers, delivering increased operating control, reduced effort and lower fuel consumption. Operators can set individual lever response and feel to meet their own preference, boosting productivity and cutting fatigue throughout the day.

The excavator has been delivered to site by local Hyundai dealer Taylor & Braithwaite and the dealer will provide back-up for the machine going forwards.

“We’ve dealt with Taylor & Braithwaite since 2012 and they are good people to work with,’ said Mr Andrews. “They always have good levels of stock and they’ve always honoured any warranty work and been fair with us.

“We will keep the Hyundais with Taylor & Braithwaite for service and maintenance. They have always been very honest, straight and helpful.”

Booth Ventures is a family business with the expertise to tackle a wide range of complex land management challenges. Involved in quarrying, waste management, environmental contracting, land engineering and a range of technical skills, such as soil analysis and waste characterisation, Booth Ventures is committed to creating a sustainable future for all.

Though an active quarry with many years of reserves remaining, Booth Ventures is already starting to fill areas within the site and preparing for future restoration. The company’s long-term approach to quarry operations goes beyond the extraction stage and the company takes great care to implement restoration plans that preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area.