A Develon demolition excavator featuring special attachments is playing a key role in the demolition of the former Tesla site in Lanškroun in the Czech Republic.
The DX380DM-7‘s main task will be the complete demolition and disposal of rubble from the entire industrial complex. It has about a month to complete the job. A new plant for the production of radio frequency chips is to be built on the site.
The excavator will be used once the workers from construction company, BISA spol. s.r.o., have manually dismantled the interior of the building. There are a number of valuable raw materials here that will find further use. Only rubble and other unnecessary materials will end up in landfill. Hand-carved beams, cast iron columns, and granite staircases will all be repurposed.
The demolition work carried out by BISA employs around 30 workers. In addition to the excavator, there is also a crane on site. Mechanical demolition will begin when only the perimeter walls and chimneys remain of the original building.
Develon explained that the DX380DM-7 can efficiently dismantle buildings up to 23m-high. It is equipped with a sorting grapple and a long demolition arm. It can then be fitted with a standard digging arm, allowing it to operate at a lower height and load waste for transport.
The operator has a live feed from the end of the arm directly to the cab monitor. Sprinklers are available throughout the demolition process to reduce dust.
Other Develon machines are also assisting with the demolition for smaller tasks. The machines are supplied and serviced by their importer in the Czech Republic, GARNEA a.s.
“The DX380DM-7 is the first Develon demolition machine we have used,” said Jan Bican, MD of BISA. “However, we have extensive experience with the brand and its service, as we own a total of nine machines.
“We saw the excavator in action at another demolition site in the Czech Republic, and based on the good references, it was a clear choice for us. In addition, GARNEA was able to deliver the machine in record time.”
Vít Brůžek, Develon product manager, added, “We are pleased that Develon demolition machines are becoming increasingly popular in the specialised demolition industry. We are monitoring the job in Lanškroun in real time through the My Develon app and are ready to provide the necessary service as needed.
“Thanks to its extendable undercarriage, the DX380DM-7 is very stable and, given the size of the job and the amount of space around the building, it was the most suitable of the four demolition models we have available.”
The DX380DM-7 is powered by a Stage V-compliant Scania DC09 five-cylinder engine with an output of 240 kW (326.5 HP) and a torque of 1348 Nm. Thanks to the Smart Power Control (SPC) system, four power modes and e-EPOS technology, Develon added that hydraulic performance is optimised and fuel consumption ‘significantly reduced’. With an operating weight of 47.5 tonne, the excavator is designed for use in demanding conditions.
The ‘robust’ X-shaped chassis design, forged components and reinforced booms are designed ensure a long service life even in extreme demolition conditions. The cab features a suspension seat, low noise levels and an eight inch Smart Touch touchscreen display.
For safety, the machine boasts a 360° camera system and anti-slip features.
The excavator is compatible with attachments including demolition hammers and quick couplers.
The machine itself requires specialised attachments for demolition. This was handled by RENOMAG, which supplied and installed an MB Crusher sorting grapple, including a custom-made adapter.
The former Tesla site in Lanškroun has a history dating back to the 19th century. It originally served as a tobacco factory and, in 1944, was converted into an electrical engineering plant. After World War 2, the plant was incorporated into the newly established national enterprise, TESLA, which specialised in the production of electrolytic capacitors, resistors and potentiometers. In 1950, TESLA Lanškroun became an independent national enterprise.
