WM Plant Hire has extended the life of a Cat 345C long-reach excavator by commissioning a full rebuild of the 17-year-old model.
Delivered through Finning UK & Ireland, the move is said to have resulted in a cost saving of 45% compared to buying a new machine.
The digger, originally purchased in 2008, had been in service for over a decade before being taken out of use. Rather than retiring the machine, WM Plant Hire opted for a tailored rebuild package, consisting of a Cat certified hydraulic rebuild and certified component rebuild.
WM Plant Hire specialises in long-reach and spider excavators used in complex environments, with applications across marine construction, dredging, slope stabilisation, quarrying, specialist excavation and emergency response.
MD Damian McGettrick said, “The machine was a game-changer for us back in 2008, demonstrating to customers that long-reach machines had real capability. It proved a hit with our operators due to its power and performance and so we were keen to sustain this capability and offering to benefit our customers. A full rebuild was the most sustainable option for us.”
The factory-built Cat 345C LRE, which features a 20m long-reach configuration with upgraded undercarriage and hydraulics, had over 12,000 hours on the clock. Finning carried out a full inspection before reconditioning the engine at its component rebuild centre in Leeds. Paintwork was completed in stages to help prepare the machine for continued use in harsh coastal and marine environments where salt-water can be an issue.
Mark Holden, product support account manager at Finning UK & Ireland, added, “From the beginning, this was a collaborative process. We worked closely with WM Plant Hire to assess which components to replace or recondition. The final drives weren’t touched as they weren’t worn, and we incorporated small upgrades like 360-degree cameras. Everything else was focused on getting the machine back to reliable, working condition.”
Weekly progress meetings kept both sides aligned, and the rebuild was delivered within an agreed budget. The machine was also supplied with a five-year warranty on key components.
Damian added, “This is the second rebuild we’ve done with Finning. The first long-reach machine is still operating without issue five years on, and that gave us real confidence to go ahead with another rebuild. The process was structured, well-communicated and delivered exactly what we needed without surprises.”
