A 5-kilometre trench, 40 MPa limestone and just 4 weeks on site: in Balingen, Germany, the KEMROC EK 60 Chain Cutter demonstrates how the right excavator rock trenching attachment can support controlled and precise rock excavation.
The Challenge: 5 km of Trenching Through Limestone
In Balingen, Germany, in the Black Forest region, a trenching project required the excavation of approximately 5 km through limestone with a compressive strength of 40 MPa. The required trench profile measured 600 mm wide and 800 mm deep.
For a project of this scale, selecting the right technology for rock trenching was essential. The contractor required a solution capable of maintaining a controlled trench profile while cutting consistently through the limestone during a project period of only four weeks.
The Solution: KEMROC EK 60 Chain Cutter
A KEMROC EK 60 Chain Cutter was mounted on a Wacker Neuson excavator to perform the excavation.
Unlike conventional excavation methods that break rock irregularly, the cutting principle of the excavator chain cutter is designed for controlled material removal along the required trench profile. This makes the EK 60 a purpose-built chain cutter attachment for demanding excavator trenching applications.
For contractors evaluating a trench cutter or excavator rock trenching attachment, matching the attachment to the geology, excavator and required trench dimensions is fundamental to achieving a controlled excavation process.
Controlled Rock Cutting Across 5 Kilometers
Throughout the project, the EK 60 was used for rock cutting trenching across the 5 km route. Its continuous cutting principle enabled the required 600 mm-wide and 800 mm-deep trench to be excavated through the 40 MPa limestone.
The chain cutter trenching attachment produces cut material while creating the defined trench profile. Depending on project specifications and material suitability, this excavated material may potentially be reused for backfilling, helping contractors optimise material handling on site.
Low Pick Consumption in Limestone
Another notable project figure was the consumption of cutting tools. The EK 60 operated with round-shank picks, with a recorded consumption of only 2 picks per 100 m³ of excavated material.
For contractors, cutting-tool consumption is an important consideration when evaluating equipment utilisation, maintenance requirements and the overall economics of an excavator chain cutter trench operation.
The Right Attachment for Demanding Trenching Projects
This project in Balingen demonstrates how the KEMROC EK 60 Chain Cutter can support precise trenching in rock conditions. Across 5 km of limestone, the combination of a Wacker Neuson excavator and the KEMROC excavator chain cutter provided a dedicated solution for controlled trench excavation.
For utility, cable and infrastructure contractors facing challenging ground, selecting the right chain cutter rock trenching attachment can make the difference between simply excavating rock and creating the trench profile the project actually requires.
