December 2007

Hurlstone Earthmoving

Long-time Goughs customer Hurlstone Earthmoving Ltd has recently changed its company logo. The new logo is part of an overall makeover to update the company's marketing plan and present a fresh new image to the industry.

The process started earlier this year when Hurlstones' management reviewed its marketing strategies and decided its company profile, literature and website required updating. Through this evaluation process, it was identified that the company's previous logo needed to be overhauled, before Hurlstones could make some progress on its marketing plans.

The factors that needed to be considered in this process were brand awareness, industry profile, and strategic direction. Other factors included a large fleet of mainly Caterpillar equipment, and how best to incorporate a new logo to match with the new Cat nomenclature.

Hurlstones traditional company colours were slightly modified from the original "orange/red & black" to "red & black". The logo was also designed to stand out on their machinery, which is considered to be an earthmoving contractor's best form of advertising. Over the coming months, the new logo will be incorporated into all parts of Hurlstones marketing, including brochures, an updated website, and staff clothing.

Hurlstone Earthmoving Ltd was established in Egmont Village, New Plymouth in 1969 by company founders Bill and Theresa Hurlstone. Thirty-eight years on, the company is now strongly led by their son Dean, and has been going through a significant growth period over the last three years. Hurlstones management believe the company's new look will continue to see Hurlstone Earthmoving regarded as one of the industry's market leaders.

September 2007

Mike Edridge Limited 

Pelorus Bridge-based contractors Mike Edridge Limited have acquired the first Caterpillar 330D excavator delivered in the South Island, with a new unit recently added as part of their machine replacement programme. 

The new 330D has an operating weight of 42 tonnes and replaces a 330B that had been a great performer for over 17,000 hours. It features a rock bucket with thumb and a power clamp, and was purchased specifically for the harder rock country where it is performing forestry roading.

Malcolm Edridge says the 330D is performing very well and is substantially out performing the 330B. "Operator Lindsay Boa has moved out of the older excavator and loves the improved performance and operator comfort of his new Cat unit.

The 330D joins a recently delivered Cat 311CU, and is now the flagship machine in our fleet of Cat excavators, rollers, dozers, graders, loaders and trucks."

Operating throughout the Nelson and Marlborough region, Mike Edridge Contracting specialise in road construction, drainage and forestry earthworks.

August 2007

Parkside Quarries TH330B

The home of Oamaru Stone has a new Cat telehandler assisting with the distribution of the famous building material. Parkside Quarries acquired a Cat TH330B telehandler from Goughs earlier this year and is utilising it in both their stone quarry and lime works, just west of Oamaru.

The decision to select the TH330B was made after an extensive selection process. Parkside Quarries Company Director Bob Wilson says, “We decided on the Cat as we believed it was the best machine in terms of size and versatility for the quarry. It also continues our Cat fleet standardisation, meaning we can take advantage of the excellent after sales support that Goughs provides.”

A Caterpillar 3054E engine powers the TH330B, with a gross power of 100hp or 74.5kW. The Cat 3054 engine features low emissions and high torque, to give maximum performance in all conditions. Its rated load capacity is 3200kg.

The TH330B was purchased to primarily perform two main tasks. The first is loading pallets of Oamaru Stone blocks from the Parkside quarry into containers ready for distribution around New Zealand or for export. It also loads one tonne bags of agricultural lime into trucks at Parkside’s lime works operation.

This is where the TH330B displays its versatility says Bob Wilson. “Its ideal to load the high sided bulk trucks because the telescoping option gives it the ability to load where a standard wheel loader cannot. The Cat telehandler is also able to load trucks with lime while still in the storage shed, meaning there is less movement around the trucks. This results in quicker and safer loading.”

Bob says, “With a 3-in-1 bucket, pallet forks and a prong complimenting the standard bucket, the Cat telehandler is a great multi tasking machine. When the machine is not performing its primary roles at the quarry and lime works, it can be used for basic cleanup. It will also assist with hay making on the 750 acres of farmland we have.”

Bob Wilson comments the TH330B has impressed with its speed and maneuverability. “It operates for much of the time in an enclosed storage shed loading the lime bags, so it needs to have a tight turning circle to be productive. Combined with no rear tail swing we’ve found it ideal for working in that confined space.”

“Probably one of the biggest advantages compared with a standard forklift in our sometimes muddy / slippery conditions is the greater traction available from the larger wheels on the telehandler.”

“It also shows good speed across the ground which is a benefit when the stone quarry and lime works are separated by 3km. From an operators perspective it has great comfort and visibility. Combine these with the other features and its a great working environment from which to operate a machine in a quarry.”

Although its still early days for the Cat TH330B, Bob Wilson reckons the Cat telehandler has started well at Parkside Quarries and looks forward to the versatile performer continuing to have a key role in the distribution of one of North Otago’s most famous exports.

August 2007

CAT Mining Trucks make their mark

Over 130 years ago, prospectors found the first precious gold in the Reefton region, and after a 56 year break since the last hard rock mine closed, mining is underway again to recover some of the gold the oldtimers couldn’t recover. For a mining alliance of Oceana Gold and STRACON Mining the job is definitely easier than for the early mining companies, with a large fleet of machines supplied by Goughs now in operation at the Globe-Progress Mine near Reefton.

The acquisitions are a $30 million investment and include nine new Caterpillar 777F Off Highway Trucks, which are the first of their type in the Asia Pacific region. Each 777F has a target payload of 95 tonnes and features a low emission Cat C-32 ACERT engine, all new operator cab, and on board VIMS monitoring system.

The 777Fs are joined at the Reefton site by a new Cat 834H wheel dozer, D9T dozer, TH360B telehandler, 966G II wheel loader, and IT62H integrated tool carrier. A revolutionary new Caterpillar 16M motor grader is scheduled for delivery later in the year.

Complementing the Cat iron is an O & K RH90-C excavator that has an operating weight of 180 tonnes and a smaller RH40-F that weighs in at 110 tonnes. Both O & K excavators are utilised to remove overburden and to recover ore at the mine.

Oceana Gold owns the mine and formed the alliance with STRACON Mining to  undertake mining operations at the Globe Progress mine for up to the next seven years. STRACON Mining is responsible for all mining operations including drill and blast, load and haul, feeding the crusher of the processing plant, and maintaining the mining fleet.

STRACON Mining General Manager - Bernard Conner says an extensive selection process was undertaken by the Oceana and STRACON alliance to determine the best mining equipment for the operation.

“At the end of this process, it was decided that Goughs and Caterpillar were our preferred choice of partners at Globe Progress.” A number of factors influenced this decision he explains. “These included the latest technology available on new generation equipment which provided improved operating performance, reduced fuel consumption and lower overall unit mining costs. Proven product support and a willingness to assist with business improvement were also features that Caterpillar and Goughs were able to offer.”

The 777Fs are responsible for hauling ore and waste material from the mine, with up to 14 million tonnes expected to be moved per annum.

Mr Conner says, ”Cat 777Fs are new generation, and a number of important factors were taken into consideration when selecting them as the truck of choice. They feature a low emission Cat C-32 ACERT engine, with an environmentally enhanced variable on-demand radiator fan that reduces fuel burn and noise. A compression brake option enhances down hill haulage speed by up to 25%, significantly reducing operating hours, and therefore unit mining costs.”

“With the mine sometimes having wet and slippery West Coast conditions, the traction control system featured in the 777F’s improves control, while the auto retarder system provides enhanced braking.”

Each truck also has a payload measuring and machine health system that ensures accurate and efficient operation. A rear view camera is also a feature of each truck for enhanced safety and reduced tyre damage.

All of these features plus a roomy, enhanced operator station ensures the truck operators are very comfortable.

The other Cat auxiliary equipment on-site performs mine floor maintenance, waste dump and slope shaping. Mr Conner adds, ”With this mine operating 24/7 its vital we have productive, reliable gear operating, and the backup available when required.”

By the end of the year between 55,000 and 60,000 ounces of gold will have been recovered from the Globe Progress mine. The output in 2008 is expected to be closer to 80,000 ounces.

According to Bernard Conner the relationship between the STRACON and Oceana alliance and Goughs is working well. “At this early stage we’re satisfied with our progress. The goal is to continue to work together as partners to ensure a successful outcome of the project for all stakeholders.”

With the Cat 777F Off Highway Trucks and other Cat machines at Globe Progress proving a productive solution for the mining alliance, gold is being extracted at efficiencies that the old Reefton miners of the 1800’s could only dream about.