Developed for Cat® D6-D8 Dozers equipped with semi-u blades, Cat FirstCut™ Cutting Edges provide superior penetration in compacted, rocky or frozen soils.
Fechner Brothers is a family-owned and run earthmoving contractor business servicing South East Queensland since 1962.
With second and third-generation employees, they specialise in creating and maintaining drains, roads, dams and carparks, as well as land clearing for rural and civil customers.
Across the Scenic Rim region, Fechner Brothers has a fleet of seven Cat® machines, including a Cat D6R XL Dozer.
Getting an edge in tough conditions
As the General Manager of Fechner Brothers, Steven Fechner knows all about tough conditions.
“FirstCut is the only edge that will carve out this hard clay like butter,” Steven explains. This level of performance is the result of through-hardened DH-3 and thicker DH-2 steel, providing balanced, equal wear across all cutting edges.
This means there’s no need to flip the edges and replace the end bits at mid-life. What’s more, built in wear indicators let you know when you’re approaching the end of edge life.
Getting an edge on the competition means more than increased productivity. Steven also noticed improvements in his fuel consumption and efficiency.
“There’s been a 9 per cent fuel reduction in using FirstCut Cutting Edges. It feels like I’m doing the work of two dozers with the new edge,” Steven explains.
“We’re probably pushing 11-15 per cent more dirt; that’s actually how it feels.”
Push harder and slip less
From the first cut to the last, earthmoving requires strength and stability.
This is heavy, hard work that requires the toughest of machines.
“My immediate thought about Cat FirstCut Cutting Edges was ‘wow’ – it just blew me out of the water how productive it was and how easy it was to use,” Steven said.
The patented shallower angle design and intermediate edges focus machine energy on slicing through soil instead of breaking it up, with less ripping.
This allows the operator to penetrate the ground easily, so the tracks stay fully engaged with the ground.
Cat FirstCut Cutting Edges also help operators achieve optimal load retention by directing material towards the centre of the blade. That means harder pushing, less track slip, and therefore longer lasting undercarriage components.
To sum it up, with Cat FirstCut Cutting Edges, Steven can load faster and increase payload mass with reduced track slip* and reduced loading time.
“It’s the first time in a long time that dozing has made me smile,” Steven said.
Features include:
• Up to 35 per cent* increased payload
• Up to 17 per cent* productivity improvement
• 2x more wear life*
More than just the product
Of course, with Caterpillar, it’s about more than the product. Cat dealers like Hastings Deering make doing business easy, saving time on logistics and delivery, helping keep costs under control.
Cat dealers understand that different customers have different requirements and needs.
“What I like about Hastings Deering is the product, the support, the people, it’s just the whole package. You can’t go wrong with Hastings Deering,” Steven said.
To find out more about Cat FirstCut Cutting Edges, contact Hastings Deering on 1300 857 082 or visit hastingsdeering.com.au
*Compared with standard Cat Cutting Edges
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