KEMROC EK 110 Chain Cutter in Utility Project in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Caterpillar 320D | Cutting Siltstone in Dumat Al-Jandal.
In Dumat al-Jandal, a major trenching project for a utility installation required precision, efficiency, and a solution that could tackle the region’s challenging siltstone rock. To meet these demands, a KEMROC EK 110 chain cutter attachment was rented and mounted on a Caterpillar 320D excavator, transforming the machine into a high-performance excavator trenching attachment.
This project required excavating a total trench length of 95 km, a true test of productivity and precision. Using the KEMROC chain cutter, the contractor achieved an impressive output of 25,000 mm of trench length per hour, with a consistent width of 1,200 mm and a depth of 5 m. Even through siltstone with a compressive strength of approximately 20 MPa (2,901 psi), the EK chain cutter delivered outstanding performance, combining speed, accuracy, and reliability.
With KEMROC chain cutters, the contractor delivered clean, narrow trench profiles suitable for pipeline installation without over-excavation and without additional costs for backfilling.
Application & Performance
The EK 110 chain cutter proved to be the ideal chain cutter attachment for this project, delivering unmatched productivity and precision. The excavator chain cutter trench technology cut a consistent 1.2-meter trench with minimal overbreak, ensuring smooth, vertical trench walls that were ready for pipeline installation.
With an extremely low picks consumption rate, just one round attack pick per 100 m³, the KEMROC EK 110 offered outstanding cost efficiency. Its continuous cutting action enabled the contractor to complete the entire trenching scope within two months, staying on schedule and avoiding delays that would have occurred with traditional rock trenching equipment such as hydraulic hammers.
Advantages of Using KEMROC Chain Cutters:
- Higher Productivity: The EK chain cutter delivered 2–4× more productivity compared to rock breakers and other traditional solutions, removing material efficiently and enabling more linear meters of trenching per day.
- Precise Trenching: The narrow, controlled cut ensured a perfect trench profile, reducing backfill requirements and saving material costs.
- Reusable Output: The milled material produced by the KEMROC chain cutters was fine enough to be reused immediately as backfill, eliminating the need to import new material.
- Reduced Vibration & Noise: The KEMROC chain cutters minimized vibration, protecting nearby infrastructure, and ensuring a safer worksite environment.
- Energy Efficiency: By eliminating the swing motion required by drum cutters, the KEMROC EK 110 preserved the excavator’s swing gear and reduced energy consumption by up to 40%.
Project Impact
The use of the KEMROC EK 110 chain cutter – excavator trenching attachment not only optimized the rock cutting trenching process but also helped the contractor control project costs, maintain safety, and deliver on time. The ability to achieve a uniform trench at exactly 1.2 m width and 5 m depth without rework was critical in ensuring quality standards.
This project showcases why KEMROC chain cutter trenching attachments are becoming the preferred solution for contractors in Saudi Arabia. The KEMROC EK 110 turned a challenging trenching job into a smooth, productive operation, reinforcing KEMROC’s reputation as a global leader in trenching equipment for excavators and rock trenching machines.