A big upgrade in machinery for Milleen Constructions has resulted in its two recently purchased Zoomlion products playing a key role at an Upper Hunter solar farm project.
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Purchased through Ganz International, Milleen Constructions’ new Zoomlion ZCT 300V5 telescopic crawler crane and ZR140 drilling rig are working in tandem on piling works at a renewable energy project. The machines are protecting and assisting one another during the drilling of eight holes, each eight metres deep, in the South East Murray region.
The holes are for single, self-supporting poles – or monopoles – replacing an existing lattice tower and connecting a new switching station at the solar farm to the power grid through an existing TransGrid 330 kilovolt (kV) transmission line in the area.
The 440 megawatt peak (MWp) Culcairn Solar Farm spans 1,000 hectares of land and will be French renewable energy provider Neoen’s second largest solar asset in Australia once it goes into operations.
Neoen secured development approval for Culcairn Solar Farm from the New South Wales Government in 2021, with an option to build a 100 MW/200 MWh battery in the future. It will connect into the on-site 330 kV transmission line managed by TransGrid – Australian manager and operator of the high voltage electricity transmission network.
Replacing the old with the new
Milleen Constructions Director and Part Owner Andrew Stones said the poles he and his company are helping to install are “like putting a PowerPoint into the high voltage line to allow connection to the solar farm.”
“This allows for the line to come along its usual way by turning 90 degrees into the substation, and the solar farm does its thing, turns back out 90 degrees, and then continues on down, down the line to the next tower and so on,” he said.
Under the umbrella of Milleen Group, Milleen Constructions has been a regional leader in the application of piling methods and technology for 38 years, building a company on its ability to provide a solution for any situation and any environment.
Andrew said the company’s point of difference is leveraging its engineering expertise to provide the best solution for its civil infrastructure clients.
“We thrive on the challenging projects, which excite us,” he said.
“We get enjoyment through the harder, more challenging, more complex types of work, but in doing that, we are then providing solutions for our clients that others may not necessarily be able to. “
“We are able to do that efficiently at a good price point and leave our customer base happy,” he said.
New beginnings
In the past, Milleen Constructions would sub-contract out its craneage needs for large civil infrastructure projects – having only one older crawler crane in its fleet. Pushed to upgrade the fleet, Andrew reached out to Ganz to purchase not only the ZCT 300V5 but also the ZR140 drilling rig – a choice Andrew said has paved new ground for his team of over 50.
“This way we have control of the picture; if we are approached for a civil infrastructure project, which needs to be done as soon as possible, we’re able to put our hand up and say we’re available now,” he said.
“This is as opposed to then having to make another dozen phone calls to find out that everybody else is available to ensure we can use their crane.”
The ZCT 300V5 boasts an impressive 30 tonne maximum lifting capacity with a 42 metre main boom and travels with a narrow width of 3m.
Replacing the now retired 16 tonne capacity crawler, the new ZCT 300V5 has received positive feedback from the crane operators, said Andrew. “Traditionally, our old crawler formed the backbone of our pile driving capabilities, however, let’s be honest – the young fellas who are operating our cranes don’t want to drive old bits of gear… One of the main crane operators out on site says he loves the new ZCT 300V5, and the same goes for the ZR140 drilling rig – those who have operated it have loved it.”
Power play
Chemistry between both the crane and drill is pivotal in ensuring the crane can perform its role. The ZCT 300VT works closely with the ZR140 to prevent precarious sand layers, which are usually sited about 4m down the 8m hole, from caving in and taking the drill with it.
The ZCT 300VT works closely with the ZR140 to manage potential sand and water laden layers. In this project these were located approximately 5m deep.
Typically, installing the reinforcing steel cages would be completed by a drilling rig, however the diameter of these holes was too wide, Andrew said.
“Also, due to the sand and water present onsite, we needed to install permanent liners. The ZCT300V5 was utilised to install these too,” he said.
“The ZCT uses a vibrating hammer that is powered by an independent hydraulic power pack.”
When the power pack fires up, rotating weights inside the hammer spin, creating the vibrationary force required to drive the sleeve into the ground.
“This supports the surrounding ground to stop it collapsing into this hole,” he said.
Providing and utilising the support
Ganz International is a rapidly expanding crane and piling rig dealer in Australia, providing exceptional support for civil construction and crane hiring businesses. The Ganz team has a combined 30 years of experience in handling new and used equipment sales within the construction, haulage and foundation industries.
Ganz Managing Director David James and Ganz ANZ Technical and Sales Manager Tony Pugh are right by their clients’ sides, according to Andrew.
“Tony and David have been great right from the get-go, when I first reached out to them, they were very accommodating and provided a high level of support and training for those who are in and around the Zoomlion machines at Milleen – this makes me feel comfortable that we were talking to the right people,” Andrew said.
Andrew is excited about the next venture for his brand new pair of Zoomlion products, as they will both join each other on another similar project.
“Both the ZCT 300VT and the ZR140 will head to a new transmission line for another battery farm at the Eraring Power Station site (in NSW). And then the crane will either get utilised as required on our other civil projects to support those, as well as other piling projects similar to those ones that we have in the pipeline currently.”
Milleen Construction doesn’t just silo itself to regional New South Wales; Andrew said the growing company is up for the challenge interstate.
“We are based New South Wales but he will travel pretty much anywhere in the state,” said Andrew.
“We’re open to most opportunities interstate, provided they align with our key values and core business.”