Kobelco’s SK500XD is helping remote quarry sites tackle any job with peace of mind.
Reliability is one of the most important things for Gromac Quarries.
The company operates a network of four quarries strategically located throughout remote Northern Queensland.
The company is well positioned to support vital infrastructure projects with aggregates, rail ballast, and road base pavement materials.
If a machine breaks down without warning, the small family business loses precious time and productivity waiting for a repair.
“The financial side of the business is important – we’re here to make money at the end of the day,” Gromac Quarries quarry manager Paul Hooton told Quarry. “Reliability, quality, and safety are the fundamentals we look for when choosing our equipment.”
These qualities were front of mind for the company as it began searching for a new excavator. It wanted something versatile, an all-rounder that could handle almost any task across its four different sites.
Hooton said easy maintenance and service were the highest priority.
“When you’re out west, being able to rely on the machine’s versatility is an important aspect,” he said.
“We shift our machines from site to site when they’re needed. Our excavators feed directly into the crushers, rockbreaking, load trucks, or quarry development.”
Local Townsville dealer, SOS Diesel, heard that Gromac Quarries was searching for a new excavator, which is how the quarry became aware of Kobelco’s SK500XD.
Designed for extreme durability and weighing in at 52,200kg, the SK500XD is the heaviest machine in its class.
It is engineered to operate in the harshest conditions worldwide, making it ideally suited for a variety of applications in Australia, particularly for quarry operations.
“This is our first machine from Kobelco,” Hooton said. “It’s a durable, stable machine. It’s well built. It handles the work we put it through on-site and keep up with the other excavators we traditionally used.
“What surprised me was just how stable it is. At first, I thought it was going to be light, but it’s built well and seems handle all types of terrain.”
This stability is thanks to the SK500XD’s heavy duty track frame with reinforcement in key areas, which provides reliability in harsh and rocky underfoot conditions. In addition, reinforced heavy-duty track chains and 600mm triple-grouser shoes increase durability of the undercarriage in harsh quarry applications.
To further improve durability, the idler yolk has double reinforcement plating on both sides. This improves undercarriage reliability while preventing premature wear of this key structure.
Heavy-duty, steel-bolted underbody guarding also protects vital machine components and provides additional weight for greater stability.
Rock solid support
Hooton said SOS Diesel’s support has given the quarry the best of both worlds.
“They’re the local Kobelco dealer in Townsville, so we get the benefit of local and global support,” he said.
Established in 2008, SOS Diesel Services began as a dedicated mobile diesel fitting operation. As demand grew, the company transitioned into a fully equipped permanent workshop, expanding its team and service fleet to better support a growing customer base throughout Townsville and the surrounding regions. In 2024, the company became the official Kobelco excavator dealer for the Townsville area.
“SOS Diesel has been great,” Hooton said. “If we have had any issues with the machine, whether it is servicing or maintenance, they’re quick to help.
“I’ve had them here on site at 9PM in some circumstances. The service is highly regarded.”
Ever since the company purchased the SK500XD, it has been put to work across the four quarry sites.
Hooton said it could be rockbreaking one day, then loading trucks on the next day.
“The Kobelco can handle the job with ease,” he said.
“The SK500XD is worth giving a go. Trial it, test it, and you get results.” •
For more information, visit kobelco.com.au
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