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.
