Whether milling on horizontal, vertical or sloped surfaces, the Simex PLB300 planer from Walkers Hammers offers reliability even for the most difficult projects. Bilboa Construction’s Mitch Walley talks to Roads & Infrastructure about his experience.
With its multi surface mill design, the Simex PLB300 planer was built to create the perfect surface when excavating hard layers of asphalt and cement. By combining constant planing depth and RH-LH depth adjustment, operators such as Mitch Walley have seen exemplary results on projects.
Using the Simex PLB300 planer, Mitch, who is the Director of Melbourne-based construction company Bilboa Construction, says he has seen an increase in the efficiency and quality of projects his company has undertaken.
“As part of our projects, we work with civil and power companies to complete infrastructure projects,” he says.
“Every project is different, but whether the material on the site is asphalt or footpath material, the Simex PLB300 planer has been great.”
What he most likes about using his PLB300 planer, Mitch says, is the ease with which he can mill the surfaces to meet project requirements.
“Before the trenches are installed on a road, we go in with our Simex PLB300 planer and we profile down to the exact road or council requirements for the project.”
The Simex PLB300 can mill pre-set sections on a range of surfaces, with options to adjust to different gradients and surface compaction levels.
The design of the planer allows the swinging support pivot to be on the same rotation axis as the cutter drum.
This enables the attachment to maintain a consistent planing surface when attached to an excavator or mini excavator.
Mitch says he has seen this consistency first-hand, when attaching the Simex PLB300 planer to his Bobcat E35i excavator.
“Compaction rates are different on projects, so it is essential that you use attachments that can suit different environments,” he says.
“It works fantastic in soft asphalt and footpaths. We do those projects by attaching the planer to our smaller excavator. We could achieve even higher flow rates if we used the planer with larger machinery.”
Easy manoeuvrability
For tunnelling, roadworks, demolition and port works, adaptability and manoeuvrability are key.
Mitch says using the Simex PLB300 has enabled him to execute sharp turns when operating close to kerbside.
“I love the versatility of having an attachment which allows you to work in tight areas and come around kerbside corners,” he says.
“On tight spaces against the kerb you’ve got more control with the machine and the arm, allowing better transitions when using the mill attachment. We have been able to operate in environments where you can’t get around with other products and equipment. It has given us a level of operational freedom.”
Mitch has also seen similar results when using the planer on harder surfaces such as concrete.
“We are focused on operating at around 40 millimetres in depth, and the attachment operates through that depth with ease,” he says.
Mitch adds that the attachment has held its own on even the most peculiar of civil projects. “We used the Simex planer on a tilt panel wall which had blown out. With the attachment we were able to profile 20 millimetres off the wall, while it was still standing,” he says.
“In very specific jobs such as that we are able to use the one attachment without changing vehicles or accessories.”
And when it comes to maintenance, operators can rest assured that the attachment will survive even the harshest of surfaces and environments.
“We take out regular maintenance very seriously to make sure our machines are spinning when they should. Apart from that, we are yet to replace any major components on the planer,” Mitch says.
Simex planers are available across the country throughout the Simex dealership network which includes; Walkers Hammers in Victoria and Tasmania, Groundtec in New South Wales, QLD Rock Breakers in Queensland and Northern Territory, Total Rockbreaking Solutions in Western Australia and Renex Equipment in South Australia.
This article was originally published in the August edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.
Related stories:
- Simex launches new dealer network in Australia
- Austroads developing harmonised roadworks specifications
- Austroads releases repurposed road surface guide
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