A FLEET of dozers destined for the scrapyard have been given a new lease on life after Gladstone Ports Corporation (GPC) came up with a plan to rebuild nine of them, saving fuel and supporting jobs in the region.

The idea first came about more than three-years ago, when one of GPC’s D11 Dozers reached its end of life, hitting 56000 hours.

Instead of purchasing new machines, GPC’s mobile plant team decided to trial a Cat Certified rebuild.

The rebuild has saved more than 40 percent of a new machine and 10 percent in fuel by switching the engines to be more economical.

Since the trial GPC’s mobile plant team have undertaken nine dozer rebuilds over three-years with the help of Hastings Deering’s Rockhampton Mining workshop.

Each dozer took approximately 12-weeks to complete with GPC’s mobile plant team celebrating the ninth last month.

Chief Operating Officer Craig Walker said the rebuild has not only given the machines a second life but has improved reliability and performance of the dozers.

“Rebuilding nine dozers was an enormous project and it’s great to see the final dozer restored back-to-life after we started the journey three-years ago,” Mr Walker said.

“These rebuilds have not only ensured reliability and longevity of our dozers but it has also increased power, balance and saved fuel with engine upgrades,” he said.

“The three-year journey has also supported regional jobs with Hasting Deering’s Rockhampton Mining workshop team coming onboard from the beginning until the end of the project, keeping our crew up-to-date throughout the entire process,”

“There has been a great benefit for local and regional jobs as well as advantages to maintaining skills and opportunities for apprentices to hone their craft. It’s vital our fleet is maintained and fitted with world-first modifications.”

GPC is home to 25 dozers which operate around-the-clock on the stockpiles at the Reg Tanna Coal terminal.