Having the right attachments is essential for earthmoving businesses aiming to maximise efficiency, productivity and safety on the jobsite.
Professionals know that the correct attachments can transform standard equipment into versatile solutions that meet a range of construction, excavation and demolition demands.
Implements such as augers, grapples, compactors and specialised buckets can allow one machine to tackle diverse tasks, from digging trenches to crushing concrete and handling materials.
This adaptability means businesses can take on more projects with fewer machines, reducing overhead costs and jobsite clutter while speeding up project delivery times.
Victoria-based civil industry specialist CDL Constructions is one such business that knows the value of getting the most out of attachments, and that means picking the right brand in the first place.
Earthmoving Equipment Magazine recently visited the Bayswater North premises of CDL to speak to Managing Director Alex Canale and General Manager Adam Gemelli about the company and the importance of using robust equipment.
“Choosing attachments tailored to the task reduces energy consumption, lowers wear and tear, and minimises maintenance needs,” Adam said.
“Strategic attachment choices help a business maintain a sustainable, cost-effective operation, extending the equipment’s lifespan and ensuring high return on investment.
“The right tool for the job isn’t just about efficiency — it’s also about safety and precision. Attachments designed for specific tasks help operators work more accurately and safely, reducing manual labour risks and keeping personnel protected on high-risk projects like demolition or deep trenching.
“Using robust, well-maintained attachments also reflects a business’s professionalism, helping demonstrate to clients that work will be done right the first time instead of relying on excuses for poor performance.”
Four decades of excellence
CDL specialises in basement retention, bulk excavation, piling solutions, site remediation, design and construct engineering and a range of other civil construction works.
Established in 1979, the CDL team has evolved over more than 40 years in business to combine trade experience, skill, knowledge and commitment to deliver projects on time and within budget.
It was founded by three partners: Alex, Terry Dougherty and Gill Lumberg, with the company named after their surname initials.
“I’ve always had an interest in earthmoving, following my arrival from Italy to Australia,” Alex said.
“I started working in deep sewer constructions, followed by a short stint in demolition, finally landing a job with an earthworks company, which allowed me to see and experience firsthand what it was all about, and during which time I also began driving heavy earthmoving equipment.”
Today, CDL Constructions has a workforce of more than 60 employees, a statistic that Alex is proud of.
“CDL owns and operates all our own construction machinery, including hydraulic excavators from five to 50 tonnes, piling rigs, heavy vehicles and machinery,” he said.
“The CDL brand has become a reputable and recognised player in the commercial and civil construction industry, priding itself on providing a one-stop solution to project needs and requirements.
“We have always had our own maintenance team, such as mechanics, welders, panel beaters and auto electricians.
“We found that being self-sufficient was the key to minimal downtime on site. We maintain a tight scheduled service regime, and breakdowns are attended to immediately.
“The appearance of our machines sets the standard when we land at the sites, so keeping machines neat and tidy is very important. Every new piece of plant purchased has to be painted in CDL colours, no matter the brand.
“It remains a highlight that we developed into one of Melbourne’s major civil contractors within two years of starting up.”
A measure of CDL’s success is the number of high-profile structures that the company has been involved with. These include:
- Eureka Tower, Melbourne’s second-tallest building;
- Chadstone Shopping Centre (multiple stages), where CDL has excavated more than one million cubic metres of material off site;
- Melbourne Central Shopping Centre;
- Melbourne Tennis Centre redevelopment;
- Spencer Street Station;
- Melbourne Exhibition Building; and
- 101 Collins Street Skyscraper.
Adam is also somewhat of a veteran at the company, having been with it for 24 years now.
“I have always been interested in trucks and heavy machinery, starting from a young age, going to work with my dad at the quarries and carting crushed rock products around Melbourne,” he said.
“Then later on when my dad started to work for CDL, I would also go to the various sites with him, later on doing work experience with CDL both in the office and also on site, getting a feel for what earthmoving was about.”
Tools of the trade
Adam said that initially, CDL didn’t always look externally for its tools.
“When the company began, we had our own in-house fabricators, from building buckets to low loaders,” Adam said.
“We would make bespoke attachments to suit different applications. And as our fleet grew, the number of scoops grew.”
But as CDL started to buy in newer machines, standardisation challenges emerged around hitches and bucket compatibility. Adam recognised that the different brands and models were using various manufacturers’ designs, which had their own different specifications to the CDL product.
“We had been making our own uniform quick hitch sizes, using our own dimensions to suit the buckets that we had built,” he said.
“With the differing configurations around, we decided to look at what the market had to offer, and one name kept cropping up.”
Adam remembered the visit of a representative from attachments manufacturer Attach2 to the CDL workshop.
“Territory Sales Manager Darryl Fysh had come by with a trailerful of attachments,” he said.
“At the time, we weren’t in the market for anything, but we kept his details on file.
“When we were ready to purchase buckets and hitches, we remembered the guys with the trailer, so we gave them a call.
“We sat down with the team and were able to design a hitch that suited our existing attachments, as well as buckets that would suit our hitches.
“Our machines use a variety of attachments and are exposed to some very tough conditions, and as a result we were looking for products that were going to be able to withstand what we would throw at them.
“Through meetings and discussions with the Attach2 team, we were able to ensure we got hitches developed correctly for our needs, which made the decision easy to use Attach2 for both hitches and buckets.
“Following a visit to the Attach2 factory and seeing their buckets firsthand, we really liked the way they were constructed, such as their thickness, which helps to extend their life, the design in providing less resistance when they dig and the removable teeth and how easy they were to replace.”
Purchases have included a Sure-Grip Coupler, a standard hitch to suit a 30t excavator; a Heli-Tilt Coupler, a tilt hitch for a 21t excavator; two 600mm-wide General Purpose Buckets; two 2000mm Mud Buckets and two 900mm GP Buckets.
“The tilt hitch in particular suits our tight access projects as well as our more detailed excavation work,” Adam said.
“The engineering of the hitches, their internal springs and durability were really the deciding factors which got us over the line.
“Our operators are very happy with Attach2 equipment, finding the hitches easy to use and buckets suited to our needs in all soil types.”
Adam has no complaints with the level of service and backup support.
“The relationship has been very good; we had some minor teething issues that were resolved without an issue,” he said.
“This customer support and Attach2’s attention to what the customer wants and needs ensure we will continue to be repeat customers.
“It’s important to work with a supplier that you can rely on and who understands your needs, as it makes it one less thing that you need to worry about in this ever-changing industry.”
Adam said that for the business to continue to grow, it had to keep using the latest plant and equipment technology, helping the business deliver projects on time and on budget.
“Our clients must be confident that we can complete their projects to the highest possible standard. Together with Attach2, we can keep up to date with the latest attachments and hitches, making our plant more versatile and minimising on-site downtime to ensure faster delivery times,” he said.
For his part, Darryl said it continues to be a privilege for Attach2 to be selected as CDL’s partner for attachments and couplers.
“It’s a great tribute because the CDL team has such deep engineering knowledge, having previously built their own attachments,” he said.
“That level of expertise means every decision is backed by thorough research and scrutiny, so being trusted by CDL speaks volumes.
“It’s been fantastic working alongside Alex, Adam and the team at CDL, who truly understand their equipment and value quality as much as we do.
“We’re proud to support CDL and are committed to strengthening this partnership as they continue delivering exceptional results.”
Attach2: Performance in a package