Purchased by Eco-Civil and supplied by Trencor through Q-Pave Trencor, the T1660M is the largest trenching machine in Australia and has been immediately put to work on the Western Pipeline Alliance’s section of the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project.
Weighing in at 143 tonnes, the 800 horsepower machine is capable of cutting a trench up to 1.8 m wide – making it the perfect machine for the job on the project which is laying pipe of 1 m and 1.5 m diameter.
The arrival at Caboonbah on the critical project saw much attention, including from the Queensland Premier Peter Beattie and major metropolitan newspapers and TV crews.
Premier Beattie and Deputy Premier Anna Bligh toured the project with Ms Bligh saying, “We are working at world-record pace on this project and this machine further improves our productivity to make sure we deliver on time.”
Q-Pave Trencor’s Managing Director Paul Commins said he was proud to have been involved in bringing the T1660M to Australia.
“The T1660M really sets a new standard in the pipeline industry in Australia. It offers unparalleled capabilities for projects such as the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project – it truly takes it to the next level,” Paul said.
Managing Director of Eco-Civil Ivan Cummins said that the trencher was a great piece of machinery that made trenching on the project much easier.
“Previously we were cutting trench through rock sections using hammers – the T1660M is hitting new heights on trench cut on this project,” Ivan said.
The trencher has been named “˜Big Joe’ in honour of Ivan’s father.
The T1660 was manufactured at Trencor’s facility in Tennessee, USA and was then shipped to Australia where it was assembled at the docks before being transported to the project.
The Western Corridor Recycled Water (WCRW) Project is the largest recycled water scheme to be constructed in Australia and will be the largest project of its kind in the southern hemisphere. The Western Pipeline Alliance comprises of McConnell Dowell, Abigroup and GHD and is responsible for delivering an 81 km section of pipeline from Bundamba to Caboonbah.
Fast Facts – T1660M
Power unit
Caterpillar® model C-27 turbo charged and after-cooled diesel engine, rated 800 hp (597 kW) @ 2,100 rpm.
Digging chain drive The 28.4 cm headshaft is driven from both sides by a roller chain arrangement directly behind a heavy duty differential, which is powered by a power shift transmission with integral three-element torque converter. Four digging chain speeds are available to suit varied digging conditions.
Digging chain Caterpillar-style D-8 size digging chain for single-, double- and triple chain applications.
Digging boom Six sizes of booms equipped ranging from 16″ – 20″ to 62″ – 72″
Trench depths 2.44 m through 7.7 m
Trench widths 41 – 183 cm
Fuel capacity Dual tanks, 1,968 L capacity
Hydraulic reservoir 1,250 L capacity
Conveyor Arc type hydraulically driven 107 cm wide centre-guided belt, infinitely variable in speeds from 0 to 300 m/min in either direction.
Counterweight Hydraulically extendable front counterweight helps maintain balance of machine while tramming or hoisting.
Crawlers Caterpillar-type 245C sized crawler components with 92 cm low profile double grouser shoes.
Crawler drive and steering Infinitely variable hydrostatic/mechanical system for speeds from 0 to 1.6 km/h. Tracks may be counter-rotated for excellent maneuverability.
Operator’s cab Fully enclosed, pressurised with climate control. Elevates hydraulically 107 cm for increased operator visibility. Located on left hand side of the machine.
Approximate weight 124,720 kg
