Komatsu NZ’s Rotorua branch recently undertook a midlife rebuild of a PC1250SP-7 for leading New Zealand contractor HEB Construction Ltd.
Manufactured in 2005, the excavator was purchased used by HEB through Komatsu Used Equipment in Australia in 2011 and converted to carry out dredging and repair works in Lyttelton Harbour following the Christchurch earthquake earlier that year.
After carrying out numerous dredging works in Lyttelton Harbour, it went to the Chatham Islands to work on the Waitangi Wharf upgrade project for the Memorial Park Alliance.
The excavator’s work included construction of the breakwater for the wharf, the placement of several thousand precast “Xbloc” concrete rock armour units on the breakwater, and dredging.
“Throughout its life with HEB, the PC1250SP-7 has suffered from the effects of working in close proximity to salt water, so a major rebuild and refurbishment was well in order”, said Grant Moffat, HEB’s National Plant Manager.
The bulk of the rebuild work was carried out through Komatsu’s Rotorua branch, with assistance from its Auckland and Waikato branches, as well as HEB’s workshop in Tauranga.
Rebuild works for the machine included engine removal and a full rebuild, power-takeoff removal and rebuild, oil cooler replacement, checking and replacing critical parts where necessary, inspection and replacement of required hydraulic hoses, replacement of a full set of chains and grousers, and replacement of cooler hoses, heater hoses, charge hoses, along with other parts and components.
All work equipment pins and bushes that required replacement were also being done, along with line boring where necessary.
The cab and boom assembly was also removed and rebuilt by HEB’s own workshop team in Tauranga. This included a full sandblast, repaint and refurbishment of the machine’s exterior.
Komatsu’s work at Rotorua was overseen out by Tony Kelk, with assistance from HEB’s workshop team, with Komatsu’s Auckland team carrying out the engine rebuild, and its Waikato branch assisting as and when required.
The project was completed in August.
“Following this rebuild, we expect to get at least as much life again from this machine,” said Grant. “It’s certainly our objective to get to at least another 10,000 hours with it.
“And we will be putting it back into dredging work.
“This PC1250 has been a very good machine for us; it hasn’t missed a beat in that time,” he said.
In addition to this unit, HEB has a significant fleet of Komatsu equipment, including a large number of machines on the Transmission Gully motorway project north of Wellington.
“We believe in the product, and that’s why we continue to buy it,” said Grant.
“In terms of service and support, Komatsu does a very good job.
“Dave Bennett and the Rotorua branch have been standout performers for Komatsu, and Dave looks after us very well – both at Rotorua and Transmission Gully,” he said.
“As well, Garth Dixon, who looks after our account, is fantastic. We do have a very good relationship with Phil Pritchard, Garth, Barry, Dave and the Komatsu team, but one-on-one Garth and Dave are the two that stand out for me; most of the time they get it right, which is great.”