Stafford Gate
Improved access and minimum offload time increase operational efficiency at Stafford Gate.
ContractorAlto Construct Ltd
LocationStafford
The Project
Upon completion, the Stafford Gate Project is set to be a fuel station and Costa drive through, with access for a hotel, built adjacent. The Site Manager was keen to see what could be done to improve the safety and efficiency on a site with limited space and access, situated next to a quiet residential area.
Challenge
The site had a high-water table resulting in extremely waterlogged ground, resulting in the loss of pipe bedding and concrete into the wet mud. In addition, the machines were unable to track over certain areas of the site without causing the ground to become so muddy, that it was inaccessible. Limited space on site and a singular access point for off-loading meant that finding a solution to minimise off-loading time was key for the site team.
Solution
After visiting the site, Conquip’s engineers suggested that they trialled an Excavator Drag Skip for one week, free of charge, to address the issue of navigating waterlogged terrain and hiring an Excavator Pipe Lifter to assist with the safe unloading and movement of the large pipes. After a conversation with their Managing Director, Alto-Construct decided to go ahead with the Excavator Pipe Lifter and the Excavator Drag Skip, which have both proved very beneficial.
The main advantage of using the Excavator Pipe Lifter has been its ability to safely offload a full truck load of 1600mm diameter concrete pipes in 10-20 minutes, using just a single operative. This process would usually take 60-70 minutes and require the use of chains and edge protection, with a minimum of two operatives.
The Excavator Drag Skip has considerably improved the safety and accessibility on site, reducing vehicle movements on the waterlogged ground and removing the need for a dumper truck in some areas.
As a result of the positive solutions we provided to the challenges Alto-Construct were facing and the understanding we showed during the COVID-19 outbreak by suspending the hire of equipment on site, they are keen to work with us on their next project.
Following the return of the Construction industry, Alto-Construct are back working full time and we are looking forward to seeing the project complete.
