New KVX Ground Engaging Tool hits the mark

BRIAN ROWLEY reports on the new KVX Ground Engaging Tool (G.E.T).

LATE in 2012 Northern Quarries commissioned a KVX Ground Engaging System for their Komatsu WA 600-6 Face Loader. Northern Quarries are located in the north Metro Region of Melbourne and predominantly extracts and crushes basalt to produce a range of crushed rock and aggregate products

The KVX System they employed is somewhat different to the conventional style of GET we have all become familiar with. The philosophy behind the design of KVX is to address more than “component life Vs cost” as a measure of the products’ performance.

The system also targets a broader range of site and operating costs. The sometimes unmeasurable cost of down time / planned and unplanned maintenance / production efficiencies etc. were all taken into account during the development of the product.

The bolt on system elevates the need for retaining pins & adaptors and the process of replacing teeth is reduced dramatically.

The teeth self sharpen as they wear and far outlast conventional teeth (relative to application).

Pat Kerr, Production Manager at Northern Quarries, is more than happy with the KVX System. Pat says “the unique design minimises the fear of G.E.T. becoming detached and ending up in the plant, vastly reducing the potential of costly repairs to the equipment. The range available meant that we were able to tailor a system to suit our particular site application and extract the maximum performance and production from our Komatsu Loader.”

Northern Quarries site Quarry Manager for Extraction, Wayne Deken, is also impressed by the KVX system; he reiterated Pats’ comments regarding peace of mind when it comes to way wood teeth ending up in the crushing plant.

In addition Wayne is pleased with the low maintenance aspect of the product “It’s almost fit it and forget it“ he says “which leaves us free to concentrate on our core business. We are also getting positive feedback from our operator Matt Beaumont who tells us that ‘penetration into the muck pile has improved and requires less power. He went on to say that Bucket fill is better and has less spillage and the system is benefi ial in keeping a clean floor’.”

Komatsus’ Customer Support Representative Bill Guirguis is the man responsible for supplying the system to Northern Quarries. Bill says “Everyone from Management through to the Operators is pleased with the system we have provided at Northern Quarries. That’s a great result for me.”

For further information on the KVX Range of products Bill Guirguis can be contacted on 0409 983504 or through the Komatsu Office on 03) 9205 9300.

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