Queensland-based asphalt contractor Black Diamond Asphalt recently purchased a Cat AP600F asphalt paver from Hastings Deering.
CAT AP600F PAVES THE WAY FOR
BLACK DIAMOND ASPHALT BLACK DIAMOND ASPHALT IS REALISING ITS OPERATIONAL POTENTIAL WITH THE ADDITION OF A BRAND NEW CAT AP600F ASPHALT PAVER FLEET FROM HASTINGS DEERING TO ITS EXISTING FLEET. MANAGING DIRECTOR JASON ORR EXPLAINS.
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perating on small to medium sized pavement projects throughout Queensland, Black Diamond Asphalt has always aspired to contribute to bigger works. Founded by Managing Director Jason Orr around three years ago, Black Diamond Asphalt has so far been completing jobs such as carparks, driveways, drainage solutions and resurfacing works, building the brand’s reputation from grounds up. With over 25 years’ experience in the civil construction industry, Orr says the ability to attract larger projects is the next evolutionary step in the business’ continued growth. One pre-requisite, however, was to acquire the machinery to do so. With the inclusion of Caterpillar’s AP600F asphalt paver, which he recently acquired through Hastings Deering, Orr says that the existing services of Black Diamond Asphalt are likely to expand. “After adding the paver to our 48
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existing fleet, we can now tender on larger projects for the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and be more competitive, as we are using the latest technology the industry has to offer,” he says. “We have just got our TMR prequalification, so we need to satisfy aspects such as grade control, level control and more to tender for larger projects. The AP600F can satisfy these requirements quite easily.” Ryan Van Den Broek, Industry Manager for Road Construction at Hastings Deering explains how the AP600F paver helps reduce downtime to ensure that contractors such as Orr can optimise their own time and output. “Not only does the size of the AP600F give Black Diamond Asphalt an opportunity to bid on larger scale projects, features like the fast-heating screed technology on the machine also leads to greater production levels,”
Van Den Broek says. “The quick-heating screed system reduces waiting time for the heating of the paver’s screed plates. While similar products on the market can heat their plates in around 35 minutes, the AP600F paver can heat the screed in only 15 minutes.” The faster heating times, Van Den Broek says, ensure that operators can start production on a project quicker, eliminating the need to let the vehicle heat while idle. INCREASING EFFICIENCY Reduced downtime and more fuel efficiency is also supported by the AP600F paver’s eco-mode engine, which allows the engine’s RPM (revolutions per minute) to be adjusted based on the load, all without sacrificing torque. “In at least 90 per cent of projects, we would be able to run the engine on eco-mode. It is very rare that an operator
