A Northern Irish solid fuel importer has invested in a Cat wheel loader fitted with a bespoke bucket – the first of it kind in the UK and Ireland.
Tyrone-based LCC Group struck a deal with Finning UK & Ireland for the Cat 982M wheel loader, which has been configured to boost LLC’s productivity. Finning has collaborated with the firm on the design of a bespoke bucket to improve single-haul capacity.
The bucket is said to be the largest ever fitted to a Cat 982M and required engineering support from Finning in order to ensure machine stability under a full load.
After being contacted by LCC, Finning presented data gathered from other key customers currently using the 982M to demonstrate the machine’s suitability for its role in the coal handling operation.
The data, which focused on uptime, fuel efficiency and reliability, was drawn from the Finsight condition monitoring team. Finning also arranged for LLC to visit two sites – one to see the machine in operation in Salford, and a second to a coal handling operation in Hull, which utilises Cat 980s as prime movers.
Operators from LCC were also able to trial the machines in a quarry setting.
Michael Loughran, director of LCC Group commented, “When we started looking for a new machine to help improve our operations, we came to Finning to see what they could offer us. We were really impressed by the way they understood not just our business, but the needs of our operators too.
“We worked very closely with Finning to ensure that the machine is a fit for our fleet mix, and thanks to data from the Finsight team and the site visits and trials organised, we are confident that the Cat 982M is the right machine to invest in.
“One further benefit for our business is the proximity of the Finning branch to the machine’s operational area; we are less than 15 minutes from the local branch in Lisburn, so we know that if we ever need support from Finning’s engineers, they will be able to get out on to site in a very short timeframe.”
Michael added, “It was a great experience to work alongside them to create the machine, and we’re incredibly excited to have the first Coal Handling Cat 982M in the UK & Ireland, even more so as it’s been customised and prepared especially for our business.”
