Howzat for a Caterpillar milestone

When Brisbane-based QH&M Birt took ownership of their 100th Caterpillar scraper, the company also became the first in the world to take delivery of not one but six of the first production Cat 657’s worldwide. Distributor Hastings Deering was determined to ensure the 100th scraper stood out: with a special wrap to mark the occasion and celebrate one of QH&M Birt managing director Quentin Birt's passions. “I wanted something to show the world: a machine that made a bold statement," Hastings Deering’s Brett Lenz said. "Quentin is a cricket tragic and loves the game, so we decided to incorporate his love of the game and scrapers into one montage. "When you look at the draft arm on a scraper, it makes perfect sense to put a cricket bat on it. So, with this idea in my head I worked with an external design and wrap company to come up with the design we see today." For managing director Quentin Birt it’s been a 48-year journey: starting his company in 1973 “with a station wagon, a wheelbarrow and a shovel” and buying his first Caterpillar motor grader in 1976. The Brisbane-based entrepreneur has bought 415 machines from Hastings Deering since then and says he’s no longer amazed by the advances in technology. “The advancements in communication, survey, materials handling, hydraulics etc are enormous,” he said. “The scraper is a specialised unit which can cut and load material, transport, then place in a select manner. "While the principle of what a wheel tractor scraper does has virtually remained the same since Cat launched the DW21 scraper back in 1950, today’s machines are equipped with features driven by increasing productivity, Electronic Clutch Pressure Control (ECPC) transmissions, advanced cushion hitches, wet disc brakes and more efficient engines. This means we can move dirt more efficiently than ever before.” Related: Thiess backs driverless dozer tech at Lake Vermont Mr Lenz has worked closely with Mr Birt for the last 15 years, and describes taking delivery of the first six 657 production units in the world as a real achievement. "They are equipped with twin engines (a Cat C18 in the tractor and a Cat C15 in the bowl) providing over 1000 horsepower to the machine," he said. "It has the latest features like sequence assist built into it to make the machine more productive. The cab is the same as the previous K Series cabs in the 300 series, so operators love being in them. “This milestone is important because Quentin has always been passionate about the wheel tractor scraper. He has long been aware of their capability and productivity on a job site and this is why he has so many in his fleet. "Some contractors don’t fully appreciate the advantages of a scraper, their benefits go beyond immediate cost or maintenance to their performance. They are the most efficient way to move dirt over shorter distances than any other product.” QH&M Birt lists work on the Amrun mine development for Rio Tinto, Eliwana rail for FMG, and the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing among its major project highlights.

Howzat for a Caterpillar milestone

Industry Queensland

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