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BASIL READ BUYS FIRST CAT D-SERIES EXCAVATOR - [August 2006]
As Basil Read moves rapidly up the road to recovery from the challenges it faced in 2004, the company’s plant policy revolves around selecting partners that bring real value to its operations.
So when the 53-year old construction group took delivery of the country’s first new Cat D-series excavator from Barloworld Equipment this year, group plant manager Dylan Chicken was convinced of the machine’s production capability and Barloworld’s ability to back it up.
Handing over Southern Africa’s first Cat 325D hydraulic excavator (from left): Richard Hall, sales representative, Barloworld Equipment Isando; Dylan Chicken, group plant manager, Basil Read: and Malcolm Robinson, sales manager, Barloworld Equipment Isando
“The Cat product is durable and has what it takes to meet the demands of our operational requirements,” he says. “Cat product attracts the best resale value and can be traded world wide.”
For him, however, it is relationship that really counts. “Over time we have developed an excellent relationship with the Barloworld Equipment team from workshops to field service to sales. When there is a problem, it is addressed and worked out. This commitment is what makes the difference when looking at the overall product and the value you get for your money.”
Commitment
For Basil Read, commitment has special meaning. “In 2004, when the company was at its lowest, Barloworld showed continued interest and support. This counts for a lot today, now that the tide has turned,” says Chicken.
Today work in hand totals almost R2-billion, shared between Basil Read’s Roads, Civils, Opencast Mining and Building Divisions as well as Codevco, its property development operation.
New, used and rental
Barloworld Equipment’s integrated solutions offering of new, used and rental machines assists Chicken in his quest to obtain 100 per cent support from his suppliers. “We have used the Barloworld Equipment Cat Rental Store on occasion to fill gaps in our fleet,” he explains, adding that he expects this to increase as the construction sector picks up. “We have also used The Used Equipment Co (the used Cat equipment partnership between Barloworld Equipment and BLC Plant) quite extensively, particularly in 2005 during our asset rationalisation process.”
Chicken is careful to preserve the inherent value of his fleet and to maintain warranties. “Our site workshops work closely with the Barloworld field service teams to ensure availability and maintenance of technical standards. We always opt for extended warranty to cover our Cat machines to 6 000 hours.”
The new Cat 325D
Basil Read’s new Cat 325D hydraulic excavator, the first in the new D-series family delivered by Barloworld Equipment in Southern Africa, has started its productive life in a borrow pit application in Limpopo Province. The contract, for a 23,1km single lane road with double seal surfacing between Giyani and Phalaborwa, is being undertaken for the Roads Agency Limpopo.
Basil Read’s Dylan Chicken says the technical improvements in the Cat 325D over the C-series hydraulic excavators are significant and will directly impact production. “Firstly, engine power has increased from 128kW in the C-series to 140kW, with Caterpillar’s Tier lll emissions compliant ACERT technology.
“We also expect the 5 per cent improved lifting capacity and 6 per cent improved bucket digging force to deliver noticeable productivity improvements.” He adds that the improved service requirements will reduce operating cost, with hydraulic oil now changed every 8000 hours (previously 4000 hours), engine coolant every 8000 hours (as opposed to 6000) and the hydraulic oil filters at intervals of 2000 hours (previously 1000 hours).
Basil Read production manager on site, Piet Jordaan, and operator Kenneth Hlatswayo agree that the more comfortable operator station and the better all-round visibility are a bonus for productivity.
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