Category: Media reports

KEMROC KR 45 Rotary Drum Cutter in Shaft Excavation for Manhole Project. 
Mounted on SANY SY75C | Cutting Limestone in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Project Overview

When contractors face challenging limestone formations during shaft excavation and manhole construction, selecting the right excavation technology can make the difference between a profitable project and costly delays. On a recent project in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, a KEMROC KR 45 Rotary Drum Cutter mounted on a SANY SY75C excavator demonstrated why drum cutters are becoming the go-to-solution for deep excavation applications. 

Project Requirements and Ground Conditions

The project involved the construction of a large precast manhole requiring precise shaft sinking in limestone with a compressive strength of approximately 60 MPa (8,702 psi). The excavation measured 7,000 mm × 7,000 mm with a cutting depth of 500 mm, demanding both accuracy and productivity throughout the operation.

As with many pump station construction and underground utility projects, maintaining dimensional accuracy during shaft excavation was critical to ensure smooth installation of the precast manhole structure.

The KEMROC Solution

To meet these requirements, the contractor selected the KEMROC KR 45 Rotary Drum Cutter, a high torque drum cutter attachment specifically designed for demanding rock excavation applications. Installed on the SANY SY75C excavator, the hydraulic drum cutter delivered controlled and efficient rock cutting while maintaining exceptional excavation precision.

The KR 45 is part of KEMROC’s range of excavator drum cutters engineered to maximize productivity in hard rock and challenging ground conditions.

Advantages of the KEMROC KR 45 Rotary Drum Cutter

Unlike conventional excavation methods, KEMROC drum cutter attachment enabled accurate shaft sinking with minimal overbreak. This made it particularly suitable for manhole construction, deep excavation, and pump station construction projects where precision is essential.

KEMROC rotary drum cutter also produced clean excavation profiles, reducing the need for secondary trimming and helping the contractor maintain project schedules and lower cost of operation. The result was a safer, more cost efficient and more controlled excavation process with reduced material waste.

Low Wear and High Productivity

The KEMROC KR 45 utilizes durable round attack picks, achieving exceptionally low tool consumption of only three picks per 100 cubic meters of excavated material. This outstanding wear performance helped reduce operating costs while maximizing uptime throughout the project. 

The contractor selected KEMROC over competing brands primarily because of its higher productivity. The KEMROC solution was first recommended by an industry colleague who had experienced the performance advantages of KEMROC attachments firsthand. 

Versatile Applications Beyond Shaft Excavation 

Today, KEMROC excavator drum cutters are used across a wide range of applications. In addition to shaft excavation and manhole construction, contractors rely on rotary drum cutters for trenching, shaft sinking, surface profiling, utility installation, demolition, and rock excavation. 

KEMROC solutions are also successfully utilized as trenching drum cutters, excavator rock cutters, drum cutters for surface profiling, underwater drum cutter attachments, and specialized excavator drum cutters for mining applications. Their versatility allows contractors to tackle multiple applications using a single attachment platform. 

Delivering Precision Excavation in Dubai 

The successful completion of this project in Dubai demonstrates how a KEMROC transverse drum cutter can deliver precise, efficient, and cost-effective excavation in hard limestone conditions. By combining high productivity, low pick consumption, and accurate cutting performance, the KEMROC KR 45 helped the contractor complete the shaft excavation efficiently while maintaining the quality required for precast manhole installation. 

For contractors involved in deep excavation, shaft sinking, pump station construction, and underground infrastructure projects, the KEMROC KR 45 Rotary Drum Cutter continues to prove itself as a reliable and productive solution for demanding excavation environments. 

KEMROC KTR 65 Trencher Attachment for Cable Trenching Project.
John Deere 135G | Cutting Sandstone in West Virgina, USA. 

Project Overview & Challenges

When a leading excavation contractor in West Virginia needed a reliable solution for precise trench excavation in sandstone, the KEMROC KTR 65 proved why modern trenching technology is replacing conventional methods in utility and infrastructure projects across the United States.

Mounted on a John Deere 135G excavator, the KEMROC KTR 65 was deployed for a trenching application involving sandstone excavation with a compressive strength of 40 MPa (5,802 psi). The project required an accurate 8-inch-wide cable trench with a trench depth of 36 inches, demanding both precision and high production efficiency in challenging rock conditions.

KEMROC Built for Precision Trenching in Rock

Unlike traditional trenching machine solutions or oversized chain trencher systems, the KTR 65 was specifically selected for its ability to deliver narrow trenching with minimal over-excavation. For this West Virginia contractor, maintaining a controlled trench profile was critical for utility trenching and cable installation applications.

One of the key reasons the contractor chose KEMROC over other trench cutter and hydraulic chain cutter solutions was the innovative auto-cleaning feature of the KTR range. This technology continuously clears excavated material from the cutting area, helping maintain consistent productivity even during trenching in rock and cutting sandstone formations.

The result is cleaner trench walls, improved trench accuracy, and a more efficient excavation workflow.

Exceptional Pick Consumption and Lower Operating Costs

In hard rock trenching applications, tool wear is often one of the biggest operational concerns. However, the KEMROC KTR 65 delivered exceptional performance with less than one round attack pick consumed per 100 cubic meters excavated so far.

This extremely low wear rate highlights the efficiency of the KEMROC KTR cutting system in sandstone excavation applications while significantly reducing downtime and maintenance costs for the trenching contractor. Compared to conventional rock trenching methods such as breakers or oversized chain trencher systems, the KTR solution provides:

• Lower tooling consumption 
• Lower vibration 
• Reduced overbreak 
• Cleaner trench excavation 
• More accurate trench depth control 

Smart Trenching Technology for Modern Infrastructure

As utility installation and infrastructure development continue to expand across the United States, contractors are increasingly searching for smarter trenching solutions capable of handling trenching in rock efficiently and economically.

The KEMROC KTR 65 demonstrates how advanced trenching technology can transform difficult sandstone excavation into a precise and productive operation. Whether for cable trench projects, utility trenching, or narrow rock trenching applications, the KTR range delivers the accuracy, durability, and performance modern excavation contractor’s demand.

Less over-excavation. Less downtime. More trenching performance.

In a market where time is money and performance defines success, KEMROC’s new premises in Saudi Arabia mark a strategic leap forward for every construction company in Saudi Arabia, construction contractor, and EPC contractor driving the Kingdom’s infrastructure growth. Established in 2024, this new office and workshop facility is more than an expansion, it’s a commitment to faster service, reduced downtime, and unmatched local support.

Built for Speed: Faster Service, Less Downtime

The project requires continuous trenching through 30 MPa limestone (4,351 psi) with trench exact dimensions of 600 mm width and 2 meters depth. Maintaining these dimensions over such a long distance is critical, as even small increases in trench width can significantly increase excavation volume, transport costs, imported backfill requirements, fuel consumption, and project time. This is where the KEMROC chain cutter makes a measurable difference. Unlike traditional breakers that can create irregular trench profiles and uncontrolled over-excavation, the excavator chain cutter performs controlled continuous cutting, producing straight trench walls, consistent trench width, and accurate trench depth.

Stock Availability & Rental Power: Keeping Projects Moving

A major advantage of the new premises is enhanced stock availability and a growing rental fleet delivering approximately 45,000 operating hours per year. This ensures that construction equipment is always ready for deployment, whether for trench excavation, cable trenching, or complex geotechnical engineering applications like retaining wall construction or pipe jacking. From subcontractors to large-scale EPC contractors, KEMROC’s local presence guarantees access to the right attachment at the right time, eliminating delays and boosting operational efficiency.

KEMROC Saudi Arabia: A Strong Local Team Driving Performance

KEMROC’s Saudi operation is powered by a fully integrated team supporting both business growth and field execution. This includes skilled operators, technicians, sales and rental experts, as well as dedicated teams in human resources, administration, procurement, aftersales, and workshop services.

This structure ensures seamless support across industries, from desalination and stormwater infrastructure to dredging, HDD drilling, and microtunneling projects.

+1,000 Attachments in Action: Proven Across Saudi Arabia

With over 1,000 KEMROC attachments already working across Saudi Arabia, the brand has become a trusted partner in projects ranging from utility trenching and tunnelling / tunnelling to demolition and horizontal directional drilling.

In trenching applications, KEMROC attachments consistently outperform traditional hydraulic breaker solutions. While breakers rely on impact-based rock breaking, often leading to over-excavation, noise, and inefficiency, KEMROC’s continuous cutting technology delivers: Precise trench profiles, reduced vibration and noise, reusable excavated material, and up to 2–4x higher productivity.

This makes KEMROC the smarter alternative to any conventional trenching machine in modern excavator operations.

Aligned with Vision 2030: Growing with the Kingdom

For over 19 years, KEMROC has supported the Middle East. Today, this expansion in Saudi Arabia aligns directly with the ambitions of Vision 2030, driving localization, infrastructure excellence, and sustainable construction practices. As the Kingdom accelerates projects in energy, transport, and urban development, KEMROC stands ready to empower every construction contractor with cutting-edge solutions that reduce costs, improve efficiency, and deliver superior results.

The Future Starts Here

With faster service, local expertise, and proven performance in the field, KEMROC’s new Saudi premises are not just supporting projects, they’re transforming how they’re delivered.

KEMROC EK 110 Chain Cutter in Trenching Project in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Caterpillar 330 | Cutting Limestone in Kharg, Riyadh. 

Long-Distance Rock Trenching in Saudi Arabia 

On large utility, pipeline, and infrastructure projects, trenching performance often determines whether a contractor stays on schedule and within budget. When the ground conditions include rock, the challenge becomes even greater. Contractors need equipment that can deliver accurate trench dimensions, consistent daily production, low wear costs, and reduced rework while controlling total excavation expenses. This was the exact challenge faced on a major trenching project in Riyadh (Al Kharj), Saudi Arabia, where the contractor needs to excavate 40 kilometres of trench through limestone. To meet these demands, the contractor selected the KEMROC EK 110 Chain Cutter mounted on a Caterpillar 330 excavator.

Precision Trenching in Limestone Rock

The project requires continuous trenching through 30 MPa limestone (4,351 psi) with trench exact dimensions of 600 mm width and 2 meters depth. Maintaining these dimensions over such a long distance is critical, as even small increases in trench width can significantly increase excavation volume, transport costs, imported backfill requirements, fuel consumption, and project time. This is where the KEMROC chain cutter makes a measurable difference. Unlike traditional breakers that can create irregular trench profiles and uncontrolled over-excavation, the excavator chain cutter performs controlled continuous cutting, producing straight trench walls, consistent trench width, and accurate trench depth.

The Higher Productivity Led the Contractor to Choose KEMROC

One of the main reasons the contractor purchased the KEMROC EK 110 chain cutter attachment over other solutions was higher productivity. On long-distance trenching projects, production speed directly affects downstream crews such as pipe installers, utility teams, surveyors, and reinstatement contractors. Delays in trench excavation can slow the entire project. By using the KEMROC excavator trenching attachment, the contractor is able to benefit from continuous cutting progress, reduced stoppages, and reliable performance in hard limestone conditions. This helps maintain project momentum and supports efficient workflow across the entire 40-kilometre route.

Reusable Backfill Material That Reduced Project Costs

Another major advantage reported from the project was the quality of the excavated spoil. Traditional breakers often create oversized rock fragments that require additional crushing, removal, or imported fill material. In contrast, the KEMROC chain cutter trenching attachment produce fine-grained reusable backfill material, allowing the contractor to reuse spoil directly in the trench. This reduces truck movements, loweres disposal costs, minimizes the need for imported backfill, and improves overall site logistics. On a project of this scale, these savings have a significant impact on total cost per metre.

Low Pick Consumption for Better Operating Economics

Tool consumption also playes an important role in the project’s economics. The contractor reported consumption of only 2 round attack picks per 100 cubic meters, demonstrating excellent wear performance in limestone. Low pick consumption means lower consumable costs, less downtime for tool changes, and higher machine utilization throughout the project. 

CAT 330 + KEMROC EK 110: A High-Output Trenching Combination

The combination of the CAT 330 excavator and KEMROC EK 110 trench cutter created a highly productive rock trenching solution. Instead of investing in separate dedicated trenching machines, the contractor transformed a standard excavator into a specialized excavator trenching machine capable of handling demanding rock cutting trenching applications. This approach offers additional benefits such as fleet flexibility, easier transport between sections, lower capital investment, and the ability to return the excavator to general duties when needed. 

Why Lowest Purchase Price Does Not Mean Lowest Total Cost

This job site report demonstrates an important lesson for contractors worldwide: the cheapest excavation method is not always the lowest total-cost method. When productivity, wear parts, rework, haulage, backfill, fuel, and project delays are all considered, advanced chain cutter attachment technology can deliver stronger commercial results than traditional alternatives. For utility corridors, pipelines, drainage systems, and infrastructure trenching in rock, the KEMROC EK 110 excavator chain cutter trench solution proved that precision trenching can also be highly profitable. 

40 Kilometres of Results: Productivity, Precision, and Profitability

Across 40 kilometres of limestone trenching, the contractor is achieving  what every contractor aims for: higher productivity, controlled trench dimensions, reusable spoil, low pick wear, and better overall project economics. The KEMROC EK 110 Chain Cutter transformed a standard CAT 330 into a high-output excavator chain cutter trench solution capable of delivering controlled trench dimensions over 40 kilometres of limestone ground.

The contractor chose KEMROC for higher productivity, and the project also is benefiting from reusable spoil, low pick wear, and lower over-excavation risk. In competitive infrastructure markets, that combination matters. More metres. Less waste. Better margins. That is the value of smart trenching with KEMROC.

KEMROC KR 45 Rotary Drum Cutter in tunnelling project in Canada.
CASE CX80 | Cutting limestone during profiling process in tunnelling project.

Project Overview: Long-Term Urban Tunnelling in Limestone 

In a major tunnelling project in Canada, the contractor faced a complex challenge: excavating limestone tunnels over a 2–3 years project timeframe with multiple shafts excavation near residential apartment buildings. With strict noise restrictions and vibration limits in place, conventional breakers were not an option.  

Most efficient operation method was drilling & splitting, but the challenge was excavating the excess which needs to be cut in hard rock with a low vibration technology. At this point KEMROC was involved to put its expertise and cutting rock knowledge at the service of the customer in cooperation with our exclusive local partner and dealership – TRAMAC Corporation who is providing the local support with technical presence cutters, spare parts & consumable stock in Canada. 
 
The KEMROC KR 45 hydraulic drum cutter attachment, mounted on a CASE CX80 excavator, delivering controlled, low-impact rock excavation and profiling in an urban environment. 

The project involved cutting limestone with a compressive strength of around 40 to 50 MPa (5,802 psi) in profiling tunnel walls to a cutting thickness of up to 50 cm. Precision and structural control were essential to avoid overbreak and protect surrounding infrastructure. 

Low Vibration. Low Noise. Maximum Controlstone 

Unlike impact tools, KEMROC drum cutters operate with continuous rotary motion, drastically reducing vibration and noise. For tunnels located near residential buildings, this was critical. The transverse drum cutter KR 45 enabled precise profiling without disturbing nearby buildings.

KEMROC excavator drum cutter attachment provided smooth excavation profiles and minimized stress transfer to adjacent structures, enhancing both safety and compliance with urban regulations.

High Efficiency in Hard Rock Conditions

Equipped with round attack picks, the KEMROC KR 45 rotary drum cutter in tunnelling delivered consistent cutting performance supporting predictable low- operating costs across the long project duration. As an advanced hydraulic drum cutter, the KR 45 functioned as a powerful excavator rock cutter, ensuring controlled excavation with minimal material loss. Compared to breakers, KEMROC trenching drum cutter solution reduced over-excavation and eliminated secondary rework.

In addition, couple of bigger cutter size, KR150, are performing as well in different spots. 

Versatility Beyond Tunnelling

KEMROC drum cutters are widely recognized for their flexibility across applications. Whether used for tunnelling, surface profiling, mining, trenching, or even as an underwater drum cutter attachment, they provide high torque performance and controlled cutting precision. Their design makes them ideal as both a drum cutter for surface profiling and an excavator drum cutter for mining in vibration-sensitive zones. 

Why KEMROC Was the Optimum Choice? 

The contractor selected KEMROC based on previous experience and proven performance. The combination of low noise, low vibration, precision cutting, and long-term reliability positioned the KEMROC KR 45 drum cutter as the optimum solution for this demanding Canadian tunnelling project. When urban compliance, safety, and productivity matter, KEMROC drum cutters deliver performance without compromise. 

KEMROC EK 160 Chain Cutter – trenching in Greece.
Caterpillar 345BL | Cutting limestone in trenching project.

In the Peloponnese region of Greece, a long-term infrastructure project required extensive trench excavation for electrical cable installation serving a large wind farm development across mountainous terrain. The project involved hundreds of kilometers of trenching through limestone formations, demanding an efficient excavator trenching solution capable of delivering consistent trench dimensions, high productivity, and minimal material handling challenges. 

To meet these requirements, the contractor deployed the KEMROC EK 160 chain cutter mounted on a Caterpillar 345BL excavator. Compared with traditional rock breakers, the KEMROC chain cutter significantly outperformed impact tools in both cubic meter output and linear trench production. While rock breakers typically create wider and irregular trenches, the chain cutter produced precise, straight trenches with the exact required width, ensuring accurate trench profiles and reducing unnecessary excavation. 

Another key advantage was the quality of the excavated material. The chain cutter generated fine, crushed material suitable for immediate reuse as backfill, eliminating the need to transport large rock fragments away from the job site. This was particularly important given the narrow mountain access roads within the wind farm area, where heavy cranes and low-bed trucks needed smooth and stable surfaces to operate safely. The controlled cutting process produced a level trench with consistent slopes, improving site accessibility and operational efficiency. 

The KEMROC chain cutter also proved superior to conventional trenchers for this specific application. Due to the challenging terrain and narrow site conditions, traditional trenching equipment would have been too heavy and difficult to maneuver on the mountain roads. Additionally, trenchers typically discharge excavated material to the sides of the trench, which in this case would have deposited large volumes of rock on private land areas containing trees and vegetation, creating environmental and logistical complications. 

By contrast, the KEMROC chain cutter attachment allowed operators to maintain full control over the excavated material. The crushed output could remain directly within the trench corridor, already profiled and leveled, ready for backfilling without additional material handling. This approach minimized site disturbance, reduced the need for hauling and cleanup operations, and streamlined the entire trenching process. 

Overall, the deployment of the KEMROC EK 160 chain cutter delivered substantial operational and economic advantages. The precise trenching capability, controlled material output, and reduced equipment logistics significantly lowered the cost per excavated linear meter, making KEMROC chain cutter the most efficient and practical solution for this large-scale wind farm infrastructure project in Greece.

Efficient Excavator Trenching in Hard Limestone 

The KEMROC EK 160 excavator chain cutter proved to be the ideal trench cutter solution for this demanding application. Designed as a high-performance chain cutter attachment, the EK 160 enabled efficient rock cutting trenching while maintaining accurate trench profiles. 

Mounted on the Caterpillar 345BL, the excavator trenching attachment allowed the contractor to excavate narrow trenches directly through the limestone with controlled cutting geometry. Unlike conventional excavation tools, the chain cutter trenching attachment uses a continuous cutting chain equipped with round attack picks, enabling gradual material removal and smooth trench walls. 

The use of an excavator chain cutter trench system provided several advantages on the job site. The controlled cutting process minimized over-excavation and ensured uniform trench dimensions, which was essential for the installation of utilities and underground infrastructure. In addition, the KEMROC chain cutter enabled precise profiling of the road sides, eliminating cracks and creating stable, clean surfaces that helped secure the trench walls and improve overall ground stability along the excavation corridor. 

Higher Productivity and Lower Maintenance

One of the key reasons the contractor selected the KEMROC chain cutter over alternative solutions was its ability to deliver higher productivity while reducing maintenance requirements. Compared to traditional trenchers and other excavation methods, the chain cutter attachment provided a more efficient cutting process with fewer interruptions for tool maintenance. 

Additionally, the robust engineering of the KEMROC EK 160 excavator chain cutter ensured reliable performance throughout the project’s 18-month duration, maximizing machine utilization and reducing downtime.

Optimized Material Handling on Site

Another important benefit of the chain cutter trenching attachment was the quality of the excavated material. The rock trenching process produced fine, reusable backfill material, which could be directly reused during trench backfilling operations. This significantly reduced the need for importing additional material and helped optimize overall project costs. Furthermore, compared to conventional trenchers that often extract material to the side of the trench, the KEMROC excavator trenching attachment minimized side spoil accumulation. This was particularly beneficial for working in confined project areas and agricultural land in the Peloponnese region, where maintaining a clean work zone was essential.  

Precision Rock Cutting for Infrastructure Projects 

By combining the KEMROC EK 160 chain cutter with the Caterpillar 345BL excavator, the contractor achieved a highly efficient rock cutting trenching solution capable of delivering consistent results in hard limestone. The excavator chain cutter trench system provided precise trench geometry, high productivity, and improved material management, making it a reliable choice for demanding excavator trenching applications. 

This project highlights how modern chain cutter technology can significantly improve the efficiency of rock trenching operations in infrastructure projects. With its proven performance, the KEMROC EK 160 chain cutter attachment continues to demonstrate why it is a preferred solution for contractors seeking precision, productivity, and reliability in challenging ground conditions, while also significantly reducing the cost per excavated linear meter. 

KEMROC EK 110_600 Chain Cutter in the U.S for Major Electrical Duct-Bank Installation Project.
Caterpillar 340 | Cutting Puddingstone in Massachusetts, USA.

The project required the installation of approximately 10,000 ft of electrical duct banks across the Boston College site. The ground conditions were dominated by puddingstone, a silica-cemented conglomerate made up of rounded pebbles embedded in a fine matrix. Unlike harder formations such as granite or shale, this material tends to pulverize into powder under hammering rather than fracture cleanly. As a result, conventional breakers and hammers proved extremely inefficient. The hammering process produced crushed powder and oversized debris, caused over-excavation, slowed trench progress, and increased cleanup time, while also accelerating wear on machinery.

Working in a high-value, upscale neighborhood added another challenge: the contractor needed to minimize noise, vibration, and unnecessary ground disturbance. Traditional trenching tools and methods risked excessive disruption, especially so close to existing sensitive properties.

Solution: KEMROC Chain Cutter Excavator Trenching Attachment

To overcome these challenges, the contractor deployed a KEMROC chain cutter, a trench cutter attachment built around a center-chain design. The excavator’s hydraulic system was fine-tuned to power the excavator chain cutter efficiently, providing optimal torque and cutting performance.

Unlike hammer-based tools, KEMROC chain cutter trenching attachment does not rely on impact or crushing. Instead, it cuts and mills through puddingstone, producing a uniform-width trench essential for duct-bank work. This approach converted what would have been a messy, irregularly fragmented rock mass into consistent, predictable excavated material, a major advantage for accurate excavator trenching.

Because of its precision, KEMROC qualifies as both a trench cutter and an excavator trenching attachment, supporting highly controlled trenching with accurate depth and width management. In difficult conditions like puddingstone, KEMROC smart technology outperforms conventional hammering and ensures proper alignment for utilities.

Results & Benefits: Rock Trenching Done Right with KEMROC Chain Cutter in the U.S

Using KEMROC excavator chain cutter trenching attachment produced several significant advantages:

• Precise Excavator Trenching: KEMROC chain cutter in the U.S delivered consistent trench width and depth, eliminating the over-excavation typically caused by hammering soft, variable rock formations. This precision is essential for electrical duct banks and other utility works.

• Reduced Vibration and Noise: Because KEMROC chain cutter mills instead of hammering, vibration levels were substantially reduced. This is critical in residential or sensitive environments where traditional rock-breaking tools can cause disturbance.

• Efficient Rock Cutting Trenching: the chain cutter excels at rock trenching, cutting smoothly through puddingstone without generating oversized chunks or unpredictable breakage patterns. The result: easier, faster removal and produced backfilling material.

• Clean, Uniform Material Output: Unlike hammering, which creates messy rubble, KEMROC chain cutter produces a more uniform, manageable spoil. This speeds up loading, hauling, and backfill operations.

• Lower Stress on Excavator: The smoother cutting action reduces shock load and mechanical stress on the excavator, extending component life and reducing maintenance costs.

• Higher Productivity and Reliability: Production rates increased significantly compared to hammering. The excavator KEMROC chain cutter trench technology enabled the contractor to maintain schedule, reduce delays, and complete trenching more efficiently.

Conclusion

This project clearly demonstrates the superior performance of the KEMROC chain cutter attachment, especially a dedicated excavator trenching attachment, when working in challenging ground like puddingstone. Unlike traditional breakers that pulverize or over-excavate, KEMROC trench cutter delivers clean, controlled, and highly accurate rock trenching.

If you are dealing with rock cutting trenching, duct-bank installations, or excavator chain cutter trench operations in difficult geology, KEMROC chain cutter in the U.S offers major advantages: precision trenching, lower vibration, smoother operation, and increased productivity. For contractors looking to gain a competitive edge in pipeline trenching, micro trenching, utility crossings, excavation, and rock cutting, KEMROC is the ultimate smart solution. Meet KEMROC expert team at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 – Indoor/West Hall, stand number W41250 to choose the smart KEMROC solution for your construction project.

KEMROC EK 160 Chain Cutter in Rock Trenching Project.
Mounted on Komatsu PC 400 | Cutting Limestone in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

In the demanding conditions of Abu Dhabi’s construction landscape, precision, performance, and reliability are vital. To achieve fast and accurate rock trenching through tough limestone, a leading contractor in the United Arab Emirates turned to KEMROC for a cutting-edge solution. The selected attachment: the KEMROC EK 160 Chain Cutter, mounted on a Komatsu PC 400 excavator.

The project involved trenching for underground utility installation in compact limestone rock with a compressive strength of 50 MPa (7,252 psi). The trench dimensions were 16 meters long, 4.5 meters wide, and 1 meter deep, requiring a method that could deliver clean, accurate results while minimizing wear and downtime. KEMROC’s excavator chain cutter proved to be the ideal choice, providing outstanding full-face rock cutting trenching performance with exceptional control and efficiency.

Why the Contractor Chose KEMROC for Rock Trenching Project?

After evaluating multiple trenching methods and attachment brands, the contractor selected KEMROC for several decisive reasons:

• Lower maintenance and higher utilization compared to alternative systems.
• Fast delivery: KEMROC attachment was delivered and commissioned on-site within a week.
• Proven reliability and adaptability of the chain cutter attachment in challenging ground conditions.

The KEMROC EK 160 chain cutter is a dual-drum trench cutter equipped with a central cutting chain that eliminates the rock ridge typically left between conventional drum cutters. This unique design ensures a uniform trench profile, reducing the need for secondary finishing, hence boosting productivity, and reducing overall project’s cost.

Performance and Productivity

Once installed, the KEMROC EK 160 chain cutter demonstrated exceptional excavator trenching performance. The chain cutter trenching attachment achieved consistent production rates and a clean trench geometry, even in hard limestone. Operators noted smooth, low-vibration and low-sound operation, efficient cutting, and minimal pick wear thanks to the round attack pick configuration. Over multiple operational cycles, the KEMROC attachment consistently produced 16 linear meters of trench at 4.5 meters depth and 1 meter width: 72 m³ of rock excavated in just 90 minutes, highlighting the linear productivity KEMROC cutters are known for.

Advantages on Site

Using the KEMROC excavator trenching attachment provided several measurable benefits:

• Precision: Straight, smooth trench walls ideal for cable and pipeline installation.
• Efficiency: Faster progress with lower fuel consumption and reduced operator fatigue.
• Durability: Designed for sustained performance in abrasive materials.
• Cost-effectiveness: Minimized maintenance downtime and replacement costs.

Conclusion

This rock trenching project in Abu Dhabi reaffirmed why KEMROC remains a trusted brand for contractors aiming for maximum performance in excavation and trenching applications. The EK 160 excavator chain cutter combined power, precision, cost-efficiency and durability, proving once again that KEMROC’s trench cutter technology is the smart solution for modern construction projects.

With its chain cutter trenching attachment range, KEMROC continues to redefine excavator trenching, offering contractors a reliable path to cut smarter, work faster, and achieve more.

KEMROC EK 150 Chain Cutters in Trenching Project in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Caterpillar 330 | Cutting limestone in Riyadh.

In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s growing capital, a major sewage pipeline project required highly accurate trenching through dense limestone with strict geometric specifications, trench widths of 70–80 cm and depths reaching up to 6 meters.

Conventional trenching tools and hydraulic attachments available in the local market proved incapability of meeting both the dimensional and productivity targets within acceptable cost parameters. The contractor faced multiple challenges: Excessive tool wear and downtime, Oversized trench profiles requiring costly backfill, High fuel consumption and low productivity per cubic meter, Complicated logistics due to removal and transport of large, excavated rocks.

To overcome these limitations, the KEMROC team organized two intensive demonstration days in Saudi Arabia. The outstanding results convinced the contractor to purchase 3 KEMROC EK chain cutter attachments, marking a major milestone for efficient trenching operations in the region. Also, KEMROC’s excavator trenching attachment with integrated chain drive system ensured uniform cutting and minimal vibration, essential for maintaining stability in sensitive subsurface environments. KEMROC’s EK series chain cutter was the optimal solution, combining cutting-edge German engineering with field-proven productivity and durability.

Performance & Productivity

KEMROC EK 150 chain cutters mounted on a Caterpillar 330 excavator, delivered unmatched trenching precision and consistency. The KEMROC EK 150 trench cutter’s centrally positioned chain drive between the two drums ensured a flat trench bottom, eliminating the need for secondary trimming and enabling perfect installation of sewage pipelines. During operation, the KEMROC chain cutter achieved:

• Consistent trench width (70–80 cm) with depths up to 6 m.
• Enabled rock cutting trenching with up to 40% faster cycle times compared to conventional drum cutters or hoe rams.
• Significant fuel savings through steady cutting torque and reduced excavator repositioning.
• Reduction in overall trenching costs per cubic meter.
• Reusability of 80–90% of the excavated limestone as backfill material, minimizing disposal and transport costs.

The EK 150 excavator chain cutter achieved remarkable trenching efficiency. With an average cutting rate exceeding expectation, operators reported smooth performance even in high-strength rock formations. Using round attack picks, the chain cutter required minimal maintenance, with minimal pick wear (average of just 3 replacements per 100 m³), confirming KEMROC’s reputation for durability and low-maintenance design.

Technical Highlights of KEMROC Chain Cutters:

The KEMROC trench cutter belongs to KEMROC’s globally recognized EK chain cutter series, the world’s first ever – chain trench cutters designed for precise, low-vibration excavation of narrow trenches.

Key Technical Advantages:

• Chain-driven system connecting both cutter drums for uniform trenching and a perfectly flat trench base.
• Hydraulic side-shift option for optimized positioning along walls or obstacles.
• Exceptional cutting depth and stability: ideal for pipelines, cables, and foundation trenches.
• Reduced vibration ensuring safety near sensitive structures.
• Low pick consumption due to optimized tool arrangement and torque control.
• Clean trench geometry that eliminates overbreak and minimizes backfilling volume.
• Compatibility with standard excavators (2 – 70 t class) without complex modifications.

Together with the hydraulic power of the Caterpillar excavator CAT 330, the KEMROC chain cutter EK 150 achieved stable cutting torque and maximum penetration rate through high-strength limestone, ensuring high daily outputs under the toughest geological conditions.

Customer Feedback

The Saudi contractor highlighted two decisive factors: productivity and precision.

“None of the other attachments and trenching machines could achieve our required 70–80 cm trench width and 6 m depth at this productivity level. The KEMROC chain cutter EK 150 worked continuously, producing clean cuts, reusable material, and lower overall project costs.”

Following the demo, the contractor confirmed the purchase of 3 KEMROC EK 150 chain cutters, citing: Precision trench geometry, lower fuel and tool wear, significant savings on material handling and backfill logistics, reliable on-site support, and guidance from KEMROC’s technical team.

Conclusion

The Riyadh sewage project set a new performance benchmark for rock trenching in the Middle East. By integrating German-engineered precision and robust field performance, the KEMROC EK 150 chain cutters proved to be the only attachment capable of meeting the project’s strict trenching requirements, delivering efficiency, accuracy, and cost savings in one solution.

As KEMROC continues expanding across the region, KEMROC chain cutters remain the trusted choice for contractors demanding precision trenching, lower operating costs, and sustainable excavation performance.