Exclusive – TDS’ new ultra high reach demolition rig redefines perceived wisdom.
In these troubled economic times, the field of high reach excavator development has changed somewhat from the ego-driven upward race of yesteryear. Contractors are less willing to speculatively invest upwards of £1.5 million in a machine with questionable utilisation prospects; there is a definite and widely-reported trend to shorter machines with larger attachments; and the collapse of the 90 metre Rusch machine – an incident that killed high reach pioneer Ad Swanink – there has been a shift away from the “height is everything” attitude that fuelled so much high reach excavator innovation.
But try telling that to the team at Technical Demolition Services (TDS).
Together with high reach excavator specialists Kocurek, TDS has just unveiled the UK’s largest high reach machine to date; a 67 metre tall Goliath that carries an attachment of 1.5 tonnes to its full working height (but which can also wield considerably larger attachments with the three-stage telescopic boom partially or fully retracted).
So, as DemolitionNews captured the first video footage of the machine in motion (below), we took the opportunity to ask TDS’ commercial director Craig Wilson some searching questions on the thinking behind the development of the record-breaking machine.
Has the 67 metre machine been designed for a specific contract?
The machine has been designed for use on the demolition of High Rise Tower Blocks, although can be used in many other areas that require demolition of structures at height in a safe and effective manner such as the decommissioning of oil and gas platforms from the North Sea.
If so, what contract?
The machine will commence its first contract working for Glasgow Housing Association to demolish three high rise tower blocks in Ibrox, Glasgow.
If not, why 67 metres?
67 metres has been chosen given the typical height of high rise tower blocks and the requirement for additional reach to safely remove the top floor along with any ancillary items from the roof.
The machine is unquestionably impressive but at full reach it (understandably) carries a relatively small attachment. This seems to go against the current trend for shorter machines with very heavy attachments. What was the thinking behind your design?
Large attachments working at this height cannot be controlled safely and therefore smaller attachments are required to safely control the demolition process along with the reaction forces when breaking through the concrete. This makes for a much safer demolition process overall.
The previous UK record breaker – Coleman’s UHD machine – has been sold to New Zealand. Some have suggested there is not sufficient work in this country for a machine of this size. What do you say to that?
We have undertaken a planned review of the demolition contracts throughout the UK and Europe which will require a machine of this type to be incorporated into a planned and safe demolition process. This review has led us to believe that given the additional height of the new TDS machine it will be successfully utilised over the coming years. This utilisation can come either from direct contracting with the client base or through subcontract hire to third parties.
If memory serves us correctly, your previous highest machine is somewhere in the 30 metre class. Going to 67 metres is a big step up. What precautions are you taking in terms of operator training etc?
We will use a process of continuous assessment for operator training whilst on site which will be undertaken by some of the UK’s leading Super High Reach Specialists. This training in addition (and separate to other previous super high reach training providers) will also incorporate the specific requirements for understanding high rise tower block demolition processes and building reactions to an operation of this type.
