Innovative Australian compactor increases efficiency, lowers costs

 He has aimed it primarily at a big gap he saw in production capacity between pad foot rollers and larger soil compactors. “At the same time it provides an efficient alternative for difficult jobs which may be outside its main category,” he told Earthmover.
But its really big feature, which has struck a chord with owners and operators, is its substantial and robust power angle and tilt (PAT) blade.
The blade’s features are unmatched by any other bulk fill compactor, he said. It has up to 25° left or right angling, enabling operators to evenly spread or side cast material, while still maintaining effective coverage of the fill area.
Hill said that in absolutely ideal conditions, the SC805 as he calls it could compact around 500m³ of bulk fill an hour.
Built to last
Apart from the compactor wheels, frames and blade mounts, most of the SC805 comprises off the shelf Caterpillar parts. The advantage is that all ground engaging and mechanical parts are readily available through existing spare parts suppliers. However Hill emphasises that doesn’t mean his Bathurst Equipment Pty Ltd isn’t ready to provide whatever service customers require.
He said that until the advent of his machine, contractors often had to employ rollers, in applications which were outside their most cost effective ranges.
“The gap in production capacity between pad drum rollers and larger soil compactors has always existed. However, due to tighter demands and increasing costs, contractors now require a more efficient solution. The performance of these existing machines is not in question for their primary applications. But a mid sized, non-vibrating soil compactor like the SC805, can be significantly more cost effective in projects now common in the construction industry,” Hill said.
Vibration damage
For example, non-vibrating compactors are beneficial in urban areas due to rising levels of litigation for vibration damage to nearby property and underground services. Also, its compact dimensions - the SC805 has a maximum width of 2.92m - are beneficial around restricted job sites and also allows the machine to be transported during daylight hours without escorts.
Hill has combined dual direction, long life cleaner bars, with highly efficient compaction tips, to deliver comparable ground pressure to larger machines and reduced wheel drag in heavy conditions.
While fuel consumption in heavy conditions can be around 18L/h, under normal operations, it often averages less than 13L/h. Hill said these figures generally represent a saving of more than 50% over current bulk fill compaction options.
 “And unlike vibratory rollers, the SC805 operator has an exceptionally good view of the blade thanks to an ergonomically designed but spacious operator station. That results in faster, safer and more accurate operation around utility services, pipelines and survey marks,” he said. “The PAT blade also gives operators unmatched control and retention of material, when on long, narrow sites, such as earth banks for railway lines, or tailings dam wall lifts.”
No push arms
The absence of push arms or frames outside the wheels allows the machine to more effectively compact material against retaining walls and vertical earth banks. Automatic blade control can be fitted to the SC805 allowing contractors to fully integrate their machine with existing laser or satellite machine control systems.
“These features, combined with a Caterpillar power train, a load sensing hydraulic system and extremely low noise levels, have produced a machine which will set new standards on small and medium construction sites,” Hill said.
More information: Justin Hill, Bathurst Equipment P/L, 0410 512705, jhill@bathurstequipment.com.au, www.bathurstequipment.com.au

Compactor’s performance, efficiency wins votes
When looking to step up from vibrating rollers to a larger soil compactor for an upcoming railway project, Lee and Roger Fahey of Sydney based Menai Civil Contractors, couldn’t go past the newest entry into the compaction market.
The SC805’s unique advantages and fuel efficiency are proving ideal for Menai’s cut and fill projects, which are generally located in and around the Sydney metropolitan area.
Currently working on the Southern Sydney Freight Line project with Reed Civil, the machine is proving extremely versatile in both open and restricted space fill operations. Working with 30t articulated trucks, the average fuel consumption to date is just 12.5L/h, which contributes to a significant reduction in operating costs and carbon emissions when compared to other more traditional machine options.
Also, after working the SC805, Menai’s operators and supervisory staff, have been particularly impressed by the performance and efficiency of the PAT blade, while still producing good compaction results.
Andy Divall, Divall’s Earthmoving near Goulburn, NSW, also owns an SC805. He has found the machine to be efficient, productive and popular, with operators and customers alike.
Divall’s operations typically extend over south eastern NSW and cover a multitude of job types for both private and government customers. Currently at work on the RTA’s Nowra to Nerriga road upgrade for Nace Civil, the speed and performance of the SC805 with its PAT blade, is proving to be a very capable and efficient asset on the project’s bulk fill operations. And because the job is a big one - it may go for the next 18 months - reliability is crucial.
Divall said the ability to work autonomously, increases work site efficiency. It removes the need for a grader to spread and level fill areas thus maintaining productive cycle times for dump trucks.
Divall’s SC805 has now clocked up more than 1500hrs and workshop staff claim happily, that the only time they have worked on the machine, was for scheduled services. Fuel consumption over the 1500hrs has averaged only 12.6L/h.

Explore The total cost of ownership in a toolbox session at the Civil Contractors Federation’s national conference in Perth from October 21 to 25. www.civilcontractors.com/nationalconference