From crawler digger to anchor boring machine

With almost ninety (!) years of experience, ELM Construction Machinery knows the ropes. The total supplier for the earthmoving, foundation and demolition industry has for many years been responsible for the sales and service of the world brand Doosan for the South-West Netherlands region. 

What makes ELM unique is that the Waddinxveen-based company develops customized machines or boom configurations. ELM's current work includes converting a Doosan DX350 LC-7 crawler excavator into a genuine anchor boring machine for Voorbij Funderingstechniek.

Doosan supplies machines with a choice of standard program of boom configurations. "Often that just doesn't fit our customers' intended operations," ELM's Gerben Brouwer knows. "We have considerable experience in cab or boom modifications, but can also develop completely new configurations on an existing or modified basis. In 2018, we incorporated the company ETEC, strong in customization of earthmoving machines and implements. Some years earlier, Voorbij Funderingstechniek had had a foundation machine modified at ETEC to press sheet piles. This machine was so well liked that they have now placed an 'order' for a new type of anchor boring machine."

The base of the anchor drill consists of a Doosan DX350 LC-7 crawler excavator with the cleanest Stage V diesel engine currently available, explains Brewer. "The undercarriage is completely modified to create a stable 'platform' for drilling operations. For example, the undercarriage is hydraulically extendable from 3480 to 4940 millimeters and the existing 7,000-kilogram counterweight has been moved backwards to add another 3,000 kilograms of additional counterweight between the engine and the existing counterweight. This is because the boom, fully extended, must be able to lift a so-called drill slab weighing 8 tons. The adjustable boom is also fitted with two heavier lifting cylinders from a large model crawler excavator because of its greater lifting capacity. In addition, the capacity of the oil supply has been doubled and an additional oil cooler fitted to prevent oil overheating. Hose break valves were also installed to allow the machine to be approved as a foundation machine according to schedule TCVT W6-01, the skylight was replaced with armored glass and a load signaling system is provided."

The versatile machine has been modified to such an extent that the factory CE from Doosan will logically be dropped, Brouwer acknowledges. "That is also the reason why it will have an ETEC label and CE marking, just like the previous machine for Voorbij Funderingstechniek. The great thing is that we as ELM are doing the entire conversion under one roof, from the delivery of the basic machine, the drawing work and cutting work to the conversion, assembly and spraying in company colors in our own paint shop. The anchor drill is then approved as a foundation machine at Nijhuis in Dronten." Arno van Vlimmeren of Voorbij Funderingstechniek adds: "The machine will replace a crane we currently use to drill anchors. This one is not stable enough to handle the drilling slab over a greater distance. The new machine will make it possible to carry out high-frequency drilling (tubular drilling), but also to place self-drilling anchors. The latter is easier and faster due to the high vibration frequency at the drilling tip, as the soil is softened. It is even possible to drill under machines. In short, an asset for us as a company."