Finning Supply Harsco Metals With Three Ladle Wrecker Conversions

FRIDAY, MARCH 28 TH, 2014

 

Finning, the UK and Ireland’s exclusive Caterpillar® dealer, has supplied global provider of services to the steel sector, Harsco Metals & Minerals, with three Cat hydraulic excavator ladle wrecker conversions, for operation at two of its sites in the UK. Each conversion required a sturdy machine that was robust and mobile enough to carry the weight of the wrecker without compromising on performance.

The two Cat 325DL and Cat 330DL hydraulic excavators have been specifically engineered for use in Harsco Metals & Minerals customers’ steelworks in Teesside and TATA Steel in Aldwarke respectively, and will replace the Cat machines that are currently used on site. The new machines are the latest in a long standing partnership between Harsco Metals & Minerals and Finning, and will help eliminate waste materials left inside the ladles after the molten material is poured.

Simon Bolton, Asset Manager at Harsco’s Teesside operation, said: “We produced four million tonnes of steel in 2013 and due to the increased demand for steel, we are forecast to double our production in the coming year. The cleaning of the ladles is a key component in our production and using the converted Cat machines, we’re able to ensure the quality of our customer’s steel.”

When the ladle has poured out the molten steel, iron or slag, it leaves behind residual material that requires a specialist ladle wrecker to clean and protect the refractory lining inside the ladle so the operation isn’t jeopardised by any residues.

Patrick Emmerson, sales representative at Finning, said: “It’s very rewarding to see another customer return their business to Finning, and demonstrates the bespoke equipment solutions that Finning can offer. Having worked alongside Harsco Metals & Minerals for a long period of time, we’re in a position to fully understand the arduous conditions that these machines work within and their importance to the manufacturing process.”

“We again worked in partnership with a German smelting-specialist, who fitted the Cat 325DL and Cat 330DL hydraulic excavators with ladle wrecking booms which meets the customer’s exact specification.”

Simon Bolton continued: “We have utilised Finning’s capability for a number of years and they have continuously provided us with equipment to the exact specification needed. Finning has a reputation for going beyond the customer’s expectation and our experience pointed us in its direction once again.”