Caterpillar will use the Intermat exhibition to launch a compact radius demolition excavator.
The Caterpillar 328D Medium Size Hydraulic Excavator is the first compact radius excavator specially equipped for demolition in urban or restricted areas. The machine was designed and prepared for demolition purposes by the French Caterpillar dealer Bergerat Monnoyeur.
“There is a growing interest towards the compact radius machines in the demolition industry. They are safer and practical, particularly when used in demolition projects where space is often confined. That is why we’ve built this machine; to offer our customers something that is currently not available in the market,” explains Jacques Gavillet, Demolition Manager at Bergerat Monnoyeur.
The concept of the 328D for demolition is simple. The standard reach boom of 6.15 metres was modified in order to allow two positions; boom cylinders can now be mounted either underneath or in the normal guide. In order to offer the maximum working height Bergerat Monnoyeur designed and built a special stick of 5 meters enabling a maximum reach of up to 14 metres.
Thanks to the boom cylinders, the 328D can work either with the demolition stick or the normal stick depending on the work carried out – a change from one stick to another is simple thanks to a quick release. This adds to the versatility of the 328D significantly. Moreover the 328D can be equipped with a blade.
“This is a good alternative also from the financial point of view. We’ve used a standard 328D excavator on which the modified boom and the demolition stick can be added with small adjustments. Compared to a true demolition machine, this is a very economic option,” Jacques Gavillet adds.
