KEMROC EKT Rotary Drum Cutter in Trenching Project.
JCB 220 X SLC with KEMROC EKT 100 | Cutting Limestone Rock in Pula, Croatia.
Higher productivity, reduced maintenance and reusable excavated material: KEMROC cutting technology delivers practical advantages for contractors working in hard rock.
The Challenge: Trenching in Limestone
In Pula, Croatia, a contractor faced a demanding trenching project involving limestone with a compressive strength of up to 30 MPa.
The project required the excavation of trenches 80 cm wide and approximately 2 metres deep, calling for equipment capable of delivering controlled cutting performance while maintaining productivity and managing operating costs.
The contractor’s priorities were clear: achieve higher productivity, minimise maintenance requirements, maximise equipment utilisation and produce fine excavated material suitable for potential reuse as backfill.
The Solution: KEMROC EKT 100 on a JCB Excavator
The contractor selected the KEMROC Rotary Drum Cutter EKT 100, mounted on a JCB 220 X SLC excavator, for the trenching operation. The attachment was selected to support controlled excavation in limestone while addressing the contractor’s operational and economic objectives.
For contractors evaluating excavator-mounted rock-cutting equipment, selecting the appropriate attachment is essential. Equipment categories such as drum cutters, excavator drum cutters and hydraulic drum cutter systems serve different excavation and profiling requirements. KEMROC EKT 100 was selected specifically for this project’s trenching application.
Greater Productivity and Equipment Utilisation
Higher productivity was one of the contractor’s main reasons for choosing KEMROC over alternative solutions.
The EKT 100 provides a cutting approach suited to limestone excavation. Combined with the mobility and versatility of the JCB excavator, the attachment supports productive excavation of the 80 cm wide and approximately 2 m deep trench.
Reduced maintenance requirements and higher equipment utilisation were equally important purchasing considerations. For contractors working in rock, these factors can directly influence machine availability and overall project economics.
Fine Excavated Material: An Additional Economic Advantage
Beyond cutting performance, the contractor identified the production of fine excavated material as a significant advantage.
Where material quality and project specifications permit, suitable excavated material can be reused as backfill. This can reduce the need to purchase and transport additional filling material while limiting the volume of excavated rock requiring disposal.
Such efficiencies can contribute to lower material-handling requirements and more sustainable construction practices.
Conclusion: The Right Cutting Technology for Demanding Rock
The project in Pula demonstrates why selecting the appropriate excavator attachment matters when trenching in limestone with a compressive strength of up to 30 MPa. By choosing the KEMROC EKT 100 Rotary Drum Cutter, the contractor prioritised productivity, reduced maintenance, higher equipment utilisation and the potential to reuse excavated material.
For an 80 cm wide trench reaching approximately 2 metres in depth, the right cutting attachment does more than excavate—it can support an efficient workflow throughout the project.
KEMROC Distributor in Croatia: IKT