TOUGHSTUFF WINTER2017
“Our Kawasaki 92Z7 is a powerful, reliable workhorse,” Corrie Leach.
The Kawasaki 92Z7 wheel loader has proven to be a reliable, powerful and flexible workhorse for Thames Valley-based HG Leach & Co Ltd. The first thing you notice about the 92Z7 is its size. It’s a large piece of machinery with a bucket capacity of up to five cubic metres. The 92Z7 measures just over 3.5 metres to the top of the cab and the bucket can be raised more than 6.5 metres, depending on the loader’s set-up. It shows. At one point Leach’s 92Z7, which is in operation at the company’s Tahuna Quarry, towered over a truck it was loading with product. Then there’s the sound it makes when operating at full power. The 92Z7 almost sings. It oozed smooth, forceful, dependable strength every time it hit a stockpile or moved heavy rocks around the pit. Custom operating power modes, made available through Kawasaki’s IntelliTech operating system, maximise a high engine power rating which literally provides power on demand. The IntelliTech system uses logic and intelligence to adjust the
operating characteristics of the loader. This intuitive system captures every aspect of working conditions and operating demands to adjust the powertrain and hydraulics to best suit each application’s requirements. “We’re pleased with our Kawasaki 92Z7,” said Corrie Leach, HG Leach’s Quarrying Operations Manager. “It’s a powerful, reliable workhorse in the pit and compliments the rest of the equipment we have running down there. It can move any type of product and handle a variety of tasks. Just as important, the operators love running it.” This sentiment was echoed by Pete Mangan, who was operating the 92Z7 on the day Tough Stuff was at Tahuna Quarry. “It’s very comfortable, which you expect with a loader these days, and is easy to operate in and around the quarry,” said Mangan. “We’ve had it here for several months and have had no problems. It’s a good, strong machine and enjoyable to drive.” In fact, operator comfort is outstanding. The 92Z7 is quiet, convenient, clean, and designed for optimum operator comfort, safety, and productivity. The Z7 range’s operator compartment features a lowprofile dash, full-length glass doors, panoramic front window, standard rear view camera and well-organised storage area.
Families working together The relationship between HG Leach and MIMICO is long-standing. Built on the back of the quarrying business, MIMICO has supplied world class Metso crushing and screening equipment backed by quality service support and parts supply. This meant that when HG Leach was looking for a new loader they knew where to go. They could trust that MIMICO would provide them with a superior piece of equipment along with the parts and service back-up they would need to keep their loader up and running. “Essentially this is about one familyowned business supporting another family-owned business to the best of our ability,” says MIMICO’s Managing Director, Rex Davies. “Over the years HG Leach has been able to build up a level of trust in MIMICO. They know we’ll be there for them, not only through the supply of top class equipment but with everything else they need to ensure their business keeps running.” HG Leach have purchased a range of Metso mobile and fixed crushing and screening equipment over the years. The company owns and operates two Lokotrack LT105 mobile jaw crushers, an LT200HPS mobile cone crusher, an LT1213S mobile impactor and an ST2.4 mobile screen.
Published regularly for clients & associates of Matamata Industrial Machinery Imports Ltd
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MIMICO IS YOUR ZF SERVICES PARTNER
We repair and overhaul ZF transmissions from a wide range of off-highway vehicles.
MIMICO has New Zealand’s most advanced ZF off-highway transmission workshop. As an authorised ZF Services Partner, MIMICO repairs and overhauls ZF transmissions from a wide range of off-highway vehicles - wheel loaders, dumpers, graders, container lift trucks, airfield haul tractors, roll-on and roll-off haul tractors, compactors, cranes, rail support vehicles and many more. MIMICO’S specialist transmission workshop has installed the latest ZF test bed. This facility can run various transmission’s in the workshop and diagnose faults. Repaired or overhauled transmissions can also be tested. Visit www.mimico.co.nz/ news/your-zf-services-partner.
METSO INVESTS IN GROWTH The assembly capacity of Lokotrack crushing plants in Tampere is to be enhanced. The capacity of Metso’s Tampere factories will be increased and occupational safety improved with the new production line for Lokotrack mobile crushing plants. The investment of approximately one
“Delivery times will be significantly reduced,” Juha Erkkilä.
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million euros will significantly shorten the delivery times of equipment models put into line assembly production. The construction work for the new line will already start during the summer, and the first new Lokotrack equipment would come out of the line in Q1 2018. The Speedline 1 assembly line currently in use at Metso’s Tampere factory produces in each working shift one Compact series mobile crusher weighing about 50 tonnes. The new Speedline 2 line will increase the theoretical capacity by more than 30 percent. “The delivery times of equipment models implemented on a line assembly method instead of today’s fixed assembly method will be significantly reduced. At the same time, we will release plenty of space for assembling the largest crusher and Lokotrack models in fixed assembly locations,” says Juha Erkkilä, the project manager in charge. “Due to the increasing demand for track-mounted mobile crushing plants, heavier and more complex models, such as the LT120, LT300HP/ GP and LT220D will also be manufactured on Speedline 2 in addition to the current large volume
models, such as the LT106 and LT1213.” Improved safety also for visitors The renovation will improve the safety of both personnel and visitors to the factory. “The parts to be assembled can be better accommodated in the more spacious hall, which improves occupational safety. A new elevated gangway will also be built in the project, allowing visitors to view the operations in the factory more safely and fluently,” Erkkilä continues. More than 30 years of product development for mobile crushing plants Metso is the leading manufacturer of mobile crushers globally. Typically, mobile crushing plants are used by contractors, which is why the equipment must be capable of being flexibly moved from one production site to another. Metso’s Lokotrack series combines over 30 years’ experience in developing mobile crushing equipment with latest materials and ease of use. The manufacture of Lokotrack crushers has been concentrated to Metso’s Tampere factories, while there is also production in India and China.
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MIMICO ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS QUARRYNZ Engagement with stakeholders and the wider community was a key feature in this year’s MIMICO Environmental Awards, which were presented at the 2017 QuarryNZ conference. The four winners came from Lower Hutt, Christchurch, Te Puke and Marlborough. Judge Dr Morgan Williams told the awards dinner, attended by 400 people in Auckland, that pursuing environmental outcomes often provides very valuable links with communities and develops trust. He awarded a Gold award to GBC Winstone Aggregates Belmont Quarry near Lower Hutt for its gecko population restoration and relationship building with iwi, community and DOC. Silver went to Isaac Construction at McLeans Island, Christchurch for a restoration programme which saw 47,000 native plants put in the ground to create a community asset, most planted by people from Corrections which he said helped restore them as well. Fulton Hogan’s Poplar Lane quarry, Te Puke also won Silver for managing water flows in decommissioning a clean water pond and developing another, while ensuring healthy fish in challenging conditions. A Bronze award went to new entrant Simcox Construction for its
GBC Winstone’s Belmont Quarry Manager, Shane Hagai, receiving the Gold award from MIMICO’s Rex Davis.
Barracks Road quarry in Marlborough for beyond the quarry engagement. Dr Williams, a former Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment who was judging his 10th MIMICO Awards, said this year’s entries highlighted how much ‘people restoration’ can come from quarry rehabilitation efforts. He pointed to the benefits such as people on corrective detention doing planting for Isaacs, young teenagers engaged with nature for the first time in a gecko recovery programme at GBC Winstone’s Belmont quarry and a whole local community engaged by
Simcox Construction in Marlborough. “The ‘people’ restoration components of quarry restorations are often a core result of the whole effort - and a part that really makes a difference in wider society’s impressions of the industry and thus its ‘social licence to operate.’” Dr Williams congratulated MIMICO for the ongoing sponsorship of the award. “It continues to provide an excellent incentive, as evidenced again by the quality of entries, for the industry to address and celebrate sustainable management of their part of the NZ environment.”
Pic of the Season MIMICO was delighted to be recognised as a ‘Friend of the IOQ’ at the recent QuarryNZ conference in Auckland.
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INTRODUCING PETER HOPKINS Peter Hopkins is one of MIMICO’s longest serving staff members, having been with the company for more than 20 years now. Peter is MIMICO’s Sales Rep for the King Country and Taranaki area. Tough Stuff managed to catch up with him between road trips. Why do you work at MIMICO? Great people and great products. We’ve got a really good team here and the brands we distribute are simply world class. When did you start at MIMICO? Way back in May 1997. So I’ve been here a while! Where have you worked previously? In a variety of construction and engineering roles. What’s your favourite memory from your pre-MIMICO work life? Getting married and having children. What’s your favourite MIMICO memory so far? Having my son Ben join the team at MIMICO. This is very
much a family oriented company so it’s great to have my family involved. What is the most important thing in this industry? Honesty. There’s no room for anything else. Our customers spend a significant amount of money with us so it’s important they have the right equipment for their operation. MIMICO not just about the initial sale. We’re about building long-term relationships and you can only build those by being up front and honest. How would you describe the atmosphere at MIMICO? Very good. We have a great bunch of people here and a superb product range. That spills out to the customers. What do you do when you’re not at work? I like spending time with my family, my classic car, stand up paddle boarding, surfing and tramping. A good mix, really. What is the greatest thing you’ve achieved in your life so far? Building a very happy marriage and raising two successful sons.
New website for Crane Sales NZ We are pleased to announce that our sister company, Crane Sales New Zealand Ltd, has updated their website. Visit www.cranesales.co.nz. “The new site showcases Crane Sales’ main brands - UNIC, Maxilift and Tommy Gate - as well as highlighting the company’s parts and service capability,” says Chris Gray, MIMICO’s General Manager. Crane Sales New Zealand Ltd provides a total solution for all your crane needs, with the best brands, mobile service teams nation-wide, plus hassle free sourcing of parts. Please visit cranesales.co.nz on your desktop or mobile device.
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