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The Wagner Review
|
Spring 2015
2
WAGNER-WIDE NEWS
W
orking primarily as a utility
subcontractor installing water
lines and sanitary drains, Rio LLC
often finds itself working in tight
quarters.
The Brighton, Colo., contractor
favors a Cat
®
320E LRR Hydraulic
Excavator for confined settings
such as alleys, streets and
yards.
“When we were
looking at the 320E
excavator, our
selection criteria
was based mostly
on lifting capacity
and the size of the
pipe we install, and also
the depth that we dig,”
says company
owner Owen
Schaeffer.
“But
we also
wanted
something that had a low tail swing
radius,” he continues. “So this
machine really helps us in tight areas.
If we’re in alleys, we can configure
with our trench boxes, and it’s easy
to get around with this style of
machine.”
The 320E LRR is easy to maneuver,
yet powerful enough to handle tough
jobs. Lift capacity has been improved
by five percent on the standard
machine and up to 20 percent on
the Heavy Lift configuration. With
its 6’7” tail swing, the 320E LRR
works efficiently in tight spaces. A
lower-emissions engine boosts fuel
efficiency, while other new features
enhance safety and productivity, cut
service time and reduce operating
costs.
Rio utilizes the 320E LRR
excavator for digging to deeper
depths — an average depth is 16
feet — and install eight-inch water
mains. Operators use a 36-inch
bucket to dig trenches for main water
lines, and a 24-inch bucket for the
smaller water line installations.
Schaeffer says there is a lot to
like about the 320E LRR excavator.
“It comes with a lot of different
extras on it,” he says. “The backup
camera is something I didn’t think we
really needed, but it has been a big
asset. And the linkage we added to
quickly switch the buckets — that
has been a real performance booster
for us. “We do a lot of backfilling and
use the machine in tight areas, and
the tight swing radius has been a big
plus for us.
“It’s very smooth, but it also has
a real quick radius on it, too, so that
helps with our operators get in and
out of the holes,” Schaeffer adds.
“Swing times are critical for us.
The 320 excavator has very smooth
Swing Time
Contractor favors
hydraulic excavator
for efficiency,
maneuverability
The 320 excavator has
very smooth operation,
and plenty of power for
what we do.
Owen Schaeffer, Rio LLC’s owner