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Booth Ventures saves fuel with Hyundai excavator

Warrington-based land development company Booth Ventures has replaced a larger excavator at its Ravenhead Quarry, near Skelmersdale, with a 36-tonne Hyundai HX360L, reporting fuel savings of up to 7% without a reduction in productivity.

Ravenhead is a building sandstone quarry producing around 5,000 tonnes of 6F5 crushed stone aggregate each week for use as sub-base and capping material. Material is broken out using crawler excavators and hydraulic breakers before being processed through an in-pit McCloskey J45 crusher and hauled to storage and distribution areas.

Booth Ventures already operates a Hyundai HX330A L, while the new HX360L replaces an ageing larger machine from another manufacturer. Despite its smaller operating weight, the HX360L can use the same hydraulic breaker as the machine it replaces. “It’s far more efficient, better on fuel and we are seeing less in repairs,” said Stuart Andrews, Booth Ventures’ Fleet and Plant Manager. Stuart continued: “We are seeing up to a 7% fuel saving compared with the older HX330 when carrying out the same work, that’s as much as 3 litres an hour.”

Next Generation Hyundai

The HX360L is powered by Hyundai’s six-cylinder DX08 Stage V diesel engine, producing 227kW (304hp). Hyundai says the engine uses up to 7% less fuel than the previous A-Series machine, while AdBlue consumption is reduced by up to 30%. Service intervals are set at 1,000 hours. The HX360L is also among the first Hyundai excavators to feature full electro-hydraulic (FEH) levers. These allow operators to adjust lever response and feel to suit their preferences, with Hyundai claiming reduced operator effort and fuel consumption alongside improved control. The excavator was supplied by local Hyundai dealer Taylor & Braithwaite, which will provide ongoing service and maintenance support.

“We’ve dealt with Taylor & Braithwaite since 2012 and they are good people to work with,” said Stuart. “They always have good levels of stock and they’ve always honoured any warranty work and been fair with us.

“We will keep the Hyundais with Taylor & Braithwaite for service and maintenance. They have always been very honest, straight and helpful.”

Booth Ventures operates across quarrying, waste management, environmental contracting and land engineering. At Ravenhead, the company is also working on the long-term restoration of the site, with areas already being backfilled as extraction continues elsewhere within the quarry.

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