Faxe Kalk A/S has dramatically improved operations at Denmark's largest limestone quarry with a new Komatsu WA485-11 wheel loader. The machine loads trucks in just three bucket loads instead of five previously required.
Quarry manager Hans Jørgen Hansen said the machine exceeded expectations. 'It actually handles more than we anticipated, especially the bucket capacity relative to its size. I estimate it will move about 20,000 tons monthly,' he stated.
The equipment selection followed thorough research by operator Søren Jakobsen, who previously operated a Komatsu WA475-10 for five years. 'We needed higher loading capacity. The new model's bucket is one cubic meter larger, adding 1.5 to 2 tons per scoop,' Jakobsen explained.
The quarry environment demands robust machinery that can break materials consistently. 'We work in extremely tough conditions, so the increased power from the larger engine provides clear advantages,' Hansen noted.
The new loader lifts up to 13 tons per cycle with an extended arm that increases loading height by 25-30 centimeters. Operator comfort also improved significantly with joystick controls and better visibility. 'My previous machine had a steering wheel blocking instruments. Now I don't have that visibility limitation,' Jakobsen said.
The WA485-11's 362 horsepower engine delivers higher torque at lower revolutions, reducing both fuel consumption and maintenance stops.
Faxe Kalk A/S, owned by Belgian company Lhoist, operates what's considered Denmark's largest human-made ground excavation. The quarry's efficiency gains demonstrate how equipment upgrades can deliver immediate operational benefits even in mature industries.