JCBs dig second Tyne Tunnel in UK
29 June 2009
Two purpose-built JCB tracked excavators with unique boom and dipper configurations are carrying out specialist groundwork on the new Tyne Tunnel project in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.
Acquired and operated by Holystone contractors on behalf of main project contractor Bouygues UK, the two excavators were developed in conjunction with dealer Scot JCB Ltd and Kocurek (a specialist company that makes bespoke modifications for excavators) .
The 46 tonne JCB JS460 tracked unit with a Kocurek telescopic dipper and 1,5 m3 clam-shell bucket and the 24 tonne JCB JZ235 zero tailswing model with a shortened Kocurek boom and dipper are working on a second vehicle tunnel connecting Howdon in North Tyneside with Jarrow in South Tyneside.
The original Tyne tunnel was opened in 1967 and carries 38000 vehicles each day.
Material excavated by the JZ235 is collected by the JS460, which is positioned above at ground level. The larger machine uses its telescopic dipper to reach down to depths of up to 20 m to gather the excavated material in its clam-shell bucket, which it then raises and loads into dump trucks for removal. The pair are removing up to 600 m3 of material per day.
"Without these two tailor-made excavators, we simply could not meet the main contractor's deadlines for the project," said Kieron Geoghegan, managing director of Holystone. "Given the depth and space constraints, the only other alternative would have been to lower skips into the open cut with a crane. This would have been far less efficient."
The two excavators are working on the north approach section of the tunnel which is being constructed using the cut-and-cover technique. The project is scheduled for completion in 2010.
