by Gwenyth Laird Pernie
  The safety and comfort of residents who live near C&D projects often forces demolition contractors to complete jobs as quickly, quietly and neatly as possible. Husqvarna engineers recognized these challenges and addressed the problem when they designed the Husqvarna DXR 310 remote controlled demolition robot. Specifically, the engineers wanted to improve the efficiency of their compact demolition robot and at the same time, they wanted to reduce its noise and the dust that comes from selective demolition. 
  The first two contractors in the United States to purchase the DXR confirm the success of the design. Both have found the DXR to substantially increase productivity while doing the demolition work with no significant percussion sound.
  Cougar Cutting Inc.
 Cougar Cutting, Inc. of Fort Myers, FL, specializes in selective demolition. They purchased the DXR in March of 2009.  According to Al Miller, vice president of Cougar, Cougar selected the DXR because of its compact size and its 18-foot boom.
  Miller explained, “These features allow it to operate easily in occupied, tight spaces. It can even pass through 3-foot doors. Another advantage is that the DXR can crush concrete with no significant percussion sound — it is almost silent.”
  According to Thomas Nilsson, Husqvarna business manager for Demolition Equipment, supplier of the DXR unit, the DXR has reduced percussion sound because the machine operates using a breaker. Nilsson explained, “The noise from the breaker hitting the concrete is drowned out by other noises produced by the machine, specifically the electric motor and the hydraulic pump. In addition, contractors can request specific kinds of breakers to accommodate different kinds of tools. And, when the noise and vibrations produced by the breakers is unacceptable, other crushers can be use.”
 Nilsson emphasized, “The noise produced by the DXR is such that a normal conversation can be had while running the machine.”
  Miller continued, “Husqvarna’s support  has been outstanding. After the DXR was delivered, one of the DXR design engineers spent a week training our guys.  When there have been problems, the response time has been immediate, as well.”
  Cougar first utilized the DXR at the Tampa International Airport remodeling project. The Tampa International Airport is currently remodeling half the airport (120,000-square-feet). General contractor for the project is Mathews Construction, of Tampa Florida. Mathews hired Cougar to demolish a 250-foot long, 15-foot tall, 15-inch thick concrete wall with brick veneer. This wall separated the tug row (secured area where bags come down) from the baggage claim offices (non-secure area). The job started Sept. 16 and it was completed Oct. 2.
  According to Miller, the logistics of this project were difficult because of public address speaker, electrical, fire and smoke alarm conduits running along the wall. To ease this challenge Mathews re-hung all the conduits 3-inches from the wall. This allowed the DXR to move in and demolish the wall.
  Miller said, “In 30 working hours, the DXR demolished the 250-foot wall and our men removed the 200-cubic-yards of concrete and brick debris from the site. It would have taken 10 men, two weeks to remove the wall using jacks and hammers.”
According to Nilsson, the productivity and rate of demolition of the DXR is highly dependent on the specific application. The 22kW motor, however, gives the DXR the power to utilize the SB202 breaker supplied by default to 100 percent efficiency, which is unique for a machine of its size and weight class. Under normal to good conditions a rate of 1000 to 2000 kg broken concrete per hour may be produced.
  B&D Concrete Cutting Inc.
 B&D Concrete Cutting Inc. of Atlanta, GA purchased the DXR in May of 2009. According to Chris LeBlanc, B&D purchased the DRX for its extended telescopic boom capabilities.
  LeBlanc said, “Often, the reach of the equipment falls just short of what is needed to complete a job; however, with the DXR’s boom, you get that needed extra needed couple of feet. The DXR’s Bluetooth technology is also a great improvement over traditional robotic machines that have toggle switches. With Bluetooth, the operator can stand 100-feet from the machine and access the DXR functions by simply touching one of eight buttons on the LED screen, which is located on a 12-volt power control box that straps to the operator’s waste.”
  LeBlanc continued, “Husqvarna’s service was also a big selling point. Johan Ekström, product manager for Husqvarna, runs the DXR service program. He provides the training and he is the one to call if there is a problem. In our experience, if Johan couldn’t fix a problem over the phone, he would immediately fly out and fix the machine himself, often providing next day service.”
  B&D is currently using the DXR to remove the brick facade off a six story building located in Fort Benning, GA. In order to reach the higher stories, the DXR was suspended from a crane. They are also using the DXR to demolish four, six floor stairwells within the building along with some foundations, concrete footings, and supportive walls. General contractor for the project, which started in May of 2009, is McCarty Corp. of Austin, Texas.
  LeBlanc stated, “The DXR was extremely efficient in removing the 182,000-square-feet of brick façade. Removal took 35 days, which was about a third of the time allocated in the contract. They plant to crush the debris and use it as fill and for sub base, under pavement. Other equipment on the job site includes slab saws, high cycle wall saws, multiple rubber tire equipment along with Link Belt Excavators and miscellaneous skid steer equipment. B & D has approximately 16 employees on the jobsite daily.
  Miller and LeBlanc both concluded,” The DXR’s assets are its ability to maneuver in small occupied spaces, its capability to demolishes with no significant percussion sound, its capacity to increases productivity and most notably Husqvarna’s support.”
  Husqvarna DXR 310 details
 The Husqvarna® DXR 310 operates with ergonomic remote controls and utilizes electro-hydraulics with a 22 kW motor. The DXR is 78-cm wide, weighs 1960-kg and has a boom reach of 5.5-m. These features make the DXR ideal for selective demolition because it can enter and reach practically anywhere. In addition, the DXR’s support legs can be individually controlled for maximum positioning on uneven surfaces, stairways or tight against walls. According to Cate Stratemeier, marketing communications specialist for Husqvarna Construction Products, the DXR was available first in Sweden in 2008 and in the United States in 2009. Stratemeier stated, “While, so far, only two DXRs have sold in the United States, the machine’s features are quickly impressing contractors.” 
  Cougar Cutting Inc of Fort Myers, FL has provided selective demolition, total structural demolition, shoring erections services and concrete cutting and drilling in Florida and the Caribbean for 22 years. They currently employ 62 workers. For more information on Cougar Cutting visit www.cougarcuttinginc.com or call 1239275 9334.   
  B&D Concrete Cutting Inc. of Atlanta, GA provides concrete sawing and drilling, selective demolition and robotic breaking as well as total demolition and removal. In business since 2001 the company is owned by Michael Tackett and has 38 employees. For more information on B&D Concrete Cutting Inc visit www.bdconcretecutting.com or call 404-696-0404.
  For more information on Husqvarna products visit http://us.husqvarnacp.com