Operating a quarry comes with a unique set of challenges, from adhering to environmental regulations to managing operational costs and optimizing productivity. Choosing the right equipment is crucial for the efficiency and sustainability of these operations.

In this blog post, we’ll go over:

• Specific uses of DEVELON DL580, DL550, and DL420 wheel loaders for quarry applications
• Innovative technology that makes DEVELON a safer choice for your quarry and aggregate operations
• DEVELON’s exciting new technological developments to be introduced at Intermat 2024.

DEVELON Wheel Loaders: Performance Meets Sustainability

DEVELON wheel loaders, particularly the DL580, the DL550, and the DL420, can greatly improve multiple aspects of your quarry needs.

DL580: Move heavy loads easily

The DL580 excels in large-scale quarry operations by efficiently lifting and transporting heavy loads of materials like gravel, sand, and rock. This powerhouse is essential for tasks such as quicker cycle times, creating stockpiles, and moving large boulders.

• High Load Capacity: Specifically designed for loading and moving massive quantities of quarry materials, the DL580 significantly increases output.
• Fuel Efficiency: The DL580 incorporates advanced technologies to operate longer on less fuel, reducing both costs and environmental impact, as an industry leader in fuel efficiency.
• Durability: The DL580 is constructed to endure the abrasive quarry environment and resist wear and tear from heavy and sharp materials.

DL550: Transport materials & grade and finish surfaces easily

The DL550 is adept at handling both detailed tasks such as grading and finishing surfaces to prepare for further construction, and heavy-duty jobs like transporting large piles of aggregate. Its adaptability makes it indispensable for operations that require both finesse and strength.

• Versatile Applications: The DL550 excels in diverse roles, from fine-tuning quarry floors and clearing debris, to stacking heavy loads.
• Fuel-saving Performance: The DL550 is balanced for optimal power usage, allowing for significant fuel savings without sacrificing capability.
• Durably Built: The DL550 is engineered to withstand consistent use in tough quarry conditions, minimizing downtime for repairs.

DL420: Move materials through tight spaces on quarry site

Tailored for quarries that need to efficiently organize and manage materials within the site, the DL420 is perfect for tasks that require moving product around the quarry, such as feeding the processing plant, transporting materials from the stockpile to the crusher, or loading trucks in tighter spaces where precision and compact maneuverability are key.

• Maneuverability: The DL420’s compact size and agility allow it to operate effectively in smaller spaces, making it ideal for transporting materials within the confines of a busy quarry.
• Environmental Consideration: Designed to emit fewer pollutants, the DL420 meets the industry's environmental standards.
• Built to Last: The DL420’s robust construction means it can handle the abrasive nature of quarry materials and resist the wear that comes from frequent use in a challenging environment.

DEVELON’s cutting-edge safety features

Safety is a top priority in quarry operations. All DEVELON wheel loaders integrate significant innovations that enhance safety. Here’s a closer look at some of these innovations:

Transparent Bucket Technology: See Through Obstacles

• What It Is: An innovative proprietary feature that provides wheel loader operators with a supplemental view from a monitor inside the cab, allowing them to ‘see through’ the bucket.
• Benefits: Safety—the invisible bucket significantly reduces blind spots, enhancing the operator's ability to see large rocks, obstacles, and even people directly in front of the machine, thus preventing potential accidents.

Around View Monitor (AVM) Camera Systems: 360-Degree Awareness

• What It Is: Camera system that displays a full, 360-degree view of the machine’s surroundings on monitors inside the cab.
• Benefits: Improves operator confidence by revealing potential hazards and obstacles, reducing the risk of accidents. It also streamlines operations by decreasing the need for manual checks of the machine's environment.

Rearview and Object Detection Systems: Enhanced Rear Awareness

• What It Is: Standard safety features that include rearview cameras and sensors to alert operators about objects behind them.
• Benefits: Ensures safe maneuvering around any object or person within the operator's line of sight. The auditory and visual alerts from the object detection system minimize the risk of collisions.

LED Lighting and Rotating Beacons: Navigate Low-Light Conditions

• What It Is: Safety lighting, including LED headlights and taillights, along with optional rotating beacons for wheel loaders.
• Benefits: Enhances visibility for operators, crucial for early morning or nighttime operations, and serves as a warning signal to alert other workers and equipment operators of the loader’s activity.

Cab Design: Comfortable Operating Environment

• What It Is: Newly designed cabs have enhanced visibility and comfort, so operators can improve productivity.
• Benefits: The cab design, with wider doors and increased natural light, not only enhances safety by improving visibility but also operator comfort, reducing fatigue over long working hours. Air suspension seats, and heated and cooled seats are also available to enhance operator comfort.

A Glimpse into the Future: DEVELON at Intermat 2024

At Intermat 2024, from April 24-27, DEVELON will unveil and showcase Concept-X 2.0, a groundbreaking step towards autonomous, cabless construction and quarrying equipment.

Concept-X was first unveiled by DEVELON, formerly Doosan Construction Equipment, in 2019, as the world’s first automated construction solution. This year, at Intermat, DEVELON will showcase new, advanced technologies, including:

• Autonomous driving and blade control, based on global navigation satellite system (GNSS).
• Enhanced machine-learning based auto digging and loading.
• Advanced safety protocols with E-Stop technology.

DEVELON's Digital Solutions: Paving the Way for Smart Quarries

DEVELON will also showcase new digital technologies, including the Smart Quarry Solution and DEVELON Fleet Management systems, set to transform quarry operations. These platforms offer a holistic view of operations, from fleet management to safety, optimized through smart technologies and mobile applications, ensuring reduced downtime and enhanced efficiency.

Some examples of the components that can be combined in the Smart Quarry Solution include an unmanned Access Control System, a mobile App for wheel loader operators, an integrated control center, and drone scanning.