| Transporting gas bottles around the site for maintenance and breakdowns was a long-standing difficulty at this quarry until it was decided that the Volvo L-150 loading shovel could be used to improve the situation. This vehicle had a ‘quick hitch’ facility for a lifting beam and fork attachment, which means that a cage could be affixed to the front of the machine with the gas bottles inside. Bottles can be moved effortlessly around the site and it is easier to replace bottles because the machine can access the bottle store. Now, the only handling of bottles is from the store to the cage. The concept could easily be used for other purposes, such as moving a bunded gas oil tank. |