For Gold Coast contractor DEMEX, two new Volvo excavators from CJD Equipment are helping the business reduce emissions and reduce fuel costs
Based in the Gold Coast suburb of Yatala, DEMEX specialises in decommissioning, demolition, remediation and civil projects across Australia.
Having been in operation since 1993 and rebranding to broaden its scope as part of its incorporation into the Todd Group in 2014, DEMEX has significant industry experience in undertaking complex demolition and construction projects across the infrastructure, energy, marine, industrial and government sectors.
With high-profile projects including demolition and redevelopment works at Lithgow Small Arms Factory, asbestos removal on Thursday Island and the demolition of a gas turbine and two cooling towers at Callide Power Station, DEMEX director Richard Todd says the company at its core remains a family-run business.
“My parents, Richard and Gwen, along with my wife Lauren and I, teamed together to build DEMEX to what it is today,” he says.
“I’ve been in my current role as director for nine years, having assumed responsibility for much of the business management and operations with Lauren.
“DEMEX’s vision is to be an industry leader in technical and environmental demolition and remediation.”
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Environmental focus
Todd says DEMEX aims to bring a commitment to preserving the environment into all of its work, whether it is remediating contaminated sites, building earthworks or breaking down buildings.
For example, when demolishing the Leichhardt Hotel in Rockhampton 98 per cent of materials were recycled.
“What sets DEMEX apart is our innovation,” Todd says.
“We chase a challenge and pride ourselves on devising solutions to even the most complex projects. We make the impossible possible.
“DEMEX currently has 100 employees and continues to grow. As we undertake remote projects, we make a point to bring on new team members from the local area, and often retain them to continue working with DEMEX after the project is completed.”
Richard added that DEMEX is currently working on a number of projects, spanning both urban and rural areas around Queensland, each with their own unique demands.
“The Haughton River bridge demolition near Ayr was an opportunity to highlight our varied capabilities,” he says.
“It required that we float an excavator on a barge to access the submerged pylons.
“Meanwhile, at the very southern end of Queensland, near the Tweed Heads/NSW border, DEMEX brought down the Komune hotel high-rise complex, and in the heart of the Brisbane CBD you will find us demolishing the University of Queensland dental training facility building on busy Turbot Street.”
Volvo excavators
Two recent additions to the DEMX fleet have been a 29.5-tonne Volvo EC300EDA excavator and a 30-tonne Volvo EC300DL excavator, supplied by authorised Volvo dealer CJD Equipment. Sporting Volvo D8J and D7 engines, respectively, the new excavators are bringing fuel savings to the business.
“As a company operating in the D&C space, we have a responsibility to identify opportunities for reducing our emissions and contribute to a circular economy,” Todd says.
“Our investment in these new machines moves us another step towards fulfilling our obligations around sustainability.”
He adds that DEMEX has several Volvo excavators already in its fleet, highlighting their high level of performance and impressive fuel economy.
“We’re looking forward to being able to record more accurate loads because of the weigh scale system,” Todd says.
“This will effectively contribute to our compliance under the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Chain of Responsibility, and our waste data tracking on projects, and help us to achieve accurate weights of loads of material leaving the site.”
The EC300D, weighing in at 30,240kg (operating weight), has a 169kW D7 diesel engine to deliver faster cycle times and greater productivity.
EC300D machine specs
The EC300D provides a 7–10 per cent increase in fuel efficiency compared to the previous model, and incorporates a number of efficiency features, including auto engine shutdown, which automatically turns the engine off when the machine is inactive for a pre-set amount of time.
Operators have a choice of work modes, with G4 mode providing optimum fuel efficiency and machine performance, while ECO mode contributes to up to five per cent of the machine’s total improved fuel efficiency.
In addition to this, the EC300D features a 6.2m boom length, 3.05m arm length, a maximum dig depth of 7.35m and a maximum reach at ground level of 10.52m.
Compared to the previous model, hydraulic pump flow has improved by five per cent, with digging force, swing torque and tractive force having increased by 3–5 per cent, while engine power has increased by 11 per cent.
The boom and arm have been reinforced in critical areas to equally distribute mechanical stresses, handling increased working power, while Volvo’s smart hydraulic system increases controllability, improving both grading and combined operations.
The cab encompasses slim cab pillars, large expanses of glass, an adjustable seat and easy-to-access controls, with the climate control system providing air circulation and defrosting via 14 well-spaced vents.
A colour LCD monitor, sporting an antiglare, tiltable screen, displays machine status information, including fuel consumption details and service interval alerts.
The EC300D has been designed to be straightforward, with safe and easy access to centralised filters and grouped greasing points, while large doors and an engine hood, capable of being fully opened, provide easy service access to components.
EC300E machine specs
The EC300E, weighing in at 29,520kg (operating weight), is designed to reduce fuel consumption and increase productivity, with it running a Volvo 179 kW D8J Stage V diesel engine.
The EC300E’s automatic idling system sees engine speed reduced to idle when the controls are inactive for a pre-set period of time, while an integrated work mode system provides a number of choices, with G4 mode delivering optimum fuel efficiency and machine performance.
Automatic engine shutdown sees the engine turn off when the machine is motionless for five minutes, while ECO mode optimises the hydraulic system, reducing flow and pressure losses.
The EC300E has the same boom and arm length as the EC300D, with a max dig depth of 7.34m and a 10.52m reach at ground level.
A high pump flow combined with the electro-hydraulic control system creates a faster response and cycle time, with pump input torque also reducing cycle time; the V-ACT system sees the engine and pumps matched to optimise performance.
With the boom float function, the pump power for boom lowering can be saved or used for other functions, reducing cycle time.
An 8-inch non-glare colour LCD monitor displays machine status and information, while a keypad allows the operator to easily navigate through the monitor and activate machine functions, with a hot key feature allowing for customisation of different functions. A range of functions can also be assigned to a shortcut switch on the joystick.
The attachment management system, controlled via the monitor, stores settings for up to 20 different hydraulic attachments and large, wide-opening compartment doors and grouped service points allow for checks to be carried out faster.
Running smoothly
CJD Equipment regional sales manager Rod Featherstone highlights the “performance, reliability and low fuel burn” of the Volvo machines, stating that, along with the EC300 models, CJD has also delivered DEMEX two EC480D excavators this year.
DEMEX has enjoyed a productive relationship with CJD over a number of years, Todd says, highlighting the strong aftersales service that complements its equipment range.
“We’ve had a long relationship with CJD – almost seven years,” he says.
“The parts and field service helps us to keep our fleet on the road, even in remote areas.”
For more information on the Volvo range of machinery from CJD Equipment, visit: www.cjd.com.au