FOUR ‘rarely seen in the UK’ Cat 637K scrapers are helping to support the Northampton Gateway project.
Collins Earthworks has invested in several new Caterpillar machines, including four new Cat 637K Coal Bowl scrapers with push/pull systems. Finning dispatched the new additions, as well as a new Cat D7, D9 and several D6 XEs to the company.
Collins approached Finning with a need for machines to support its project on the Northampton Gateway and opted for the Cat 637 scrapers. The firm also plumped for push/pull systems, negating the use of trucks and excavators. The push/pull system is said to concentrate the combined horsepower of the tractor and scraper onto one cutting edge, allowing two individual scrapers to act as a self-loading system — typically loading both machines in less than a minute, one after the other.
David Collins, MD of Collins Earthworks, said, “As we are continuing to work on various projects — big and small — throughout the UK, having the 637K scrapers in our fleet gives us the flexibility to fulfil any project efficiently.
“Earthmoving work comes in all shapes and sizes, and there is no ‘one fix for all’ solution. Having a mixed fleet including the 637Ks, excavators and articulated dump trucks means that we have the versatility to complete any job, setting us apart from our competitors.”
Jake Wright, national account manager at Finning UK & Ireland, added, “It is amazing to see an investment into Cat 637Ks here in the UK — scrapers fill a niche in earthmoving that no other machine can compete with, and we haven’t seen these kinds of machines in the UK for a number of years. A good fleet of scrapers can make it much cheaper than the number of excavators and trucks that would need to be used to move the same amount of dirt.
“Convenience is also key here. An efficient groundworks operation with excavators and trucks will often take several people, whereas at a moment’s notice, one operator can get on the scraper and do the same job. For short distance bulk earthmoving they are lower cost and faster than any other haulage unit. I don’t think any other setup can compete with a push/pull tandem scraper setup in sand, gravel, clay or topsoil.”
