Close popup

We have detected that you are visiting from United States.

Please click here if you would prefer to visit our United States website.

Join us at ScotPlant 2026 Edinburgh - 24 & 25 April

Image
icon Technical Library icon Request Brochure Archive-Books

0

 Archive-Books My Quote

0
☰ Menu
Search Archive-Books

0
Close search
X

My Quote

X

No products in the Quote.

Built with BulkX: Behind the Scenes of Global Muck Handling Innovation

29th, April 2026

Back to articles

With any tunnelling, shaft sinking or large excavation, an important step in the excavation method is the removal of excavated materials such as rock, spoil, and debris in huge, hard-to-handle quantities.

It can take up a lot of a project’s time and money, due to the double-handling involved. But in 2009, we designed and manufactured a leading muck handling solution, BulkX, to improve those aspects.

Since then, BulkX has transported millions of cubic meters of materials and helped with major projects across the globe, often involving complex, deep excavations with space or lifting restrictions.

We sat down with our Commercial Director, George Critchley, who has worked alongside our engineering team on every BulkX project that we’ve worked on, to ask some questions on why it’s becoming popular around the globe.

Q: Can you introduce yourself and your role at Conquip Engineering Group?

I’m George Critchley, the Commercial Director.
Part of my role involves working closely with our in-house teams of engineers and manufacturing experts to support contractors working on large infrastructure projects. BulkX has always featured heavily in this work, especially on international projects.

Q: What is BulkX, and how does it work?

BulkX is an advanced bulk excavation solution designed to increase productivity while ensuring safety on infrastructure projects. It’s suitable for projects of all sizes, including those with complex or changing site conditions.

The solution operates by lowering the skip, by crane, into what is often an area of deep excavation, an excavator loading the muck at the bottom, then lifting the BulkX to discharge material directly into muck-away trucks or stockpiles, before repeating the cycle for continuous, efficient operation.

Q: Which projects has Conquip been part of around the globe, and what were their challenges?

We have plenty of experience working on different project types, recently it’s been focused on metro transportation projects across the UK, USA, Canada, Europe and Australia. The station boxes are increasingly getting bigger, deeper and more complex on sites where there is a limited footprint and are located in compact, congested locations with restricted access.

I believe we’ve proven over the years that our wide range of problem-solving, best-in-class solutions address these and can be of great help in delivering productivity, safety and sustainable benefits to projects.

As just one example, working with the Ontario Line Group meant we saw the challenges involved in constructing four new subway stations in a densely populated area, where space constraints made excavation and material removal challenging.

By getting involved early on, we developed a bespoke BulkX solution, including a gantry and a 12,000-litre skip tailored to the site and the country’s truck specifications, all certified to meet local requirements.

As a result, it improved productivity and efficiency by loading up to six trucks per hour, while also reducing CO2 emissions through faster excavation and loading cycles.

Q: What is a common way to improve in tunnelling or shaft sinking projects?

Early engagement at the pre-construction phase is often underestimated. By collaborating at this point, we can work to troubleshoot any challenges or requirements needed at the beginning of the project. This reduces the overall cost by doing everything possible to minimise changes down the line. It can sometimes be simple things, like specifying the right-sized crane to lift the right-sized BulkX to fill a truck with just 1 skip.

Q: What are the common challenges you see on major projects, and how do you help overcome them?

One common requirement around the globe is deep excavation projects in confined urban areas with limited access time available.

On these sites, we support contractors by providing an efficient method for spoil removal. The BulkX can be lowered into deep excavation sites, be filled and lifted back up in a smooth, rapid cycle, keeping operations continuous and efficient. Depending on the skip capacity, it has reduced dig programmes by up to 12 weeks, as showcased on one part of the Crossrail project in London.

Designed for 24/7 operation, the BulkX removes the need for operatives in the discharge zone, enhancing both safety and efficiency. It also reduces costs and CO2 emissions by minimising the need for additional labour and machinery.

For each project, we can provide consultancy to identify the most effective method of muck-away and the right type of BulkX, and tailor it to suit specific site requirements.

Q: How do you work to ensure that BulkX meets different countries’ compliance requirements and regulations?

We have an in-house team of Mechanical Engineers who, in conjunction with in-country certifying bodies and local engineering professionals (PEng), ensure that our equipment is designed and manufactured in accordance with the applicable local regulations, codes and standards.

Q: What does the future hold for tunnelling, shaft sinking and bulk excavation?

More remote-operated, larger skips, as well as automated banksman-free solutions and guided lifting operations equipment.

We’re also seeing more projects with multiple phases, which adds to the complexities. For example, if a site doesn’t start a tunnel at one end and drive to the end, they need multiple tunnel boring machines launching at different points and multiple shafts being sunk at the same time.

To learn more about our BulkX, view here.