A Perfect Fit
Published: 22/3, 2022
At a large, high-profile demolition project in Lille, France, a demolition contractor uses equipment from Trevi Benne and Volvo to great success.
Last May, an ambitious project for the demolition and reconstruction of the executive buildings of the General Council of the Department of the North (FORUM) in Rue Gustave-Delory in Lille, France began. By the end of summer 2023, the new complex will house departmental services, with annexed offices and apartments as well as several green areas and parking lots. The demolition phase involved the knocking down of two buildings dating back to the 70s with a maximum height of 180 ft (55m). At the beginning the priority was for cleaning and reclamation and the removal of asbestos. Subsequently, about 1,350 tons of waste and 200 tons of metal of various kinds were removed and sorted, with the percentage of recovery within the site itself being close to 95%. The demolition stage was the most delicate requiring the operator to show the utmost attention in dismantling and removing rubble of the upper floors to the ground in a controlled way in order to safeguard the hotel structure next to it, with special spray guns used for dust suppression.
Machinery on site
On site was a Volvo EC750 EHR 100t demolition excavator fitted with a 118-ft (36m) high-reach boom. Alongside, a 60t Volvo EC 480 excavator, also in a demolition configuration, was equipped with a 92-ft (28m) high-reach demolition boom. The third machine at the site was a Cat 325 excavator fitted with a demolition hammer and sorting grapple. The attachments, from Italian manufacturer Trevi Benne, included the primary HC 40 crusher fitted to the Volvo EC 750, and a 9,921-lb (4,500kg) MK 38P universal processor with booster on the Volvo EC 480. The machine was also equipped with the CB Combi Kit, the FR Pulveriser Kit, and the CS Shear Kit, plus HDV rock buckets.
The HC Series of hydraulic crushers are designed for the most delicate and precise primary crushing phases, particularly for demolition of reinforced concrete structures and removal of materials at height. Trevi Benne claims it to be the fastest, most precise equipment, powerful and compact such tool available today. The HC Series is available in 16 models, ranging from the small 551-lb (250kg) HC 02 to the 27.5t HC 250. It features the new HD interchangeable teeth system to increase material breaking efficiency, reversible blades, speed multiplier valve, and a protected and reinforced continuous hydraulic rotation unit with double-motor option.
The MK Series Multi Kit pulverizer is multifunctional equipment consisting of a universal body to which various demolition kits are linked thanks to an innovative hydraulic release system. This eliminates the need to remove structural pins manually. This IZI-Lock® system allows the changing of kit on site with a single operator in less than 5 minutes.
A version equipped with the impact booster valve, which is fitted to the entire premium demolition line, offers the user a greater cue in the demolition phase when the material to be crushed offers greater resistance. It also enables the multiplication of excavator working pressure, reaching peaks of 10,878 psi (750bar). The booster technology therefore allows reduction of the opening/closing cycle of the jaws, resulting in time savings and substantially increased productivity.
The operator of the Volvo EC 750 excavator says the 8,819-lb (4,000kg) HC 40 crusher proved to be a perfect choice when fitted to the long boom. It was said to be provide solid performance, reliable, quick in the open/close cycle of the jaws, and extremely powerful in closing. This model proved to be the ideal equipment for this type of work as the concrete was as much as 28 in (700mm) thick in some sections.
Contractor, distributor and manufacturer – a perfect team
The operator of the EC750 works for the Renard Company. Owned by Olivier Renard, the 120-person business specializes in demolition, reclamation, and decommissioning. Trevi Benne worked with long-time French distributor Cimme Sodimat to supply equipment to the FORUM project, and similar projects around Lille.Francois Defrenne, general manager of the Cimme Group, says the company began as spare parts and earthmoving machinery dealers, but now 70% of turnover comes from supplying Volvo equipment. The company philosophy is to look for the best suppliers and collaborators, such as Volvo and premium attachments from Trevi Benne.
“For more than twenty years we have been working with Trevi Benne for the supply of excavator and loader buckets and demolition equipment,” Defrenne says. “At the beginning of the relationship, the request was addressed only to the buckets. Trevi offered us a wide choice of products and timely deliveries, and always ready with both standard equipment and products tailored to our specifications. The flexibility and availability of Trevi Benne is an aspect that we have always appreciated and has made the difference over time.
The Cimme Group also now carries Trevi Benne demolition and recycling equipment, which has proved equally impressive.
“We have always believed in the choice of individual and exclusive suppliers in order to establish a special relationship that has proved to be successful over time,” Defrenne adds.