![Wentzel%20Nel_SABT[1].jpg](https://globalhighways.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/141192-scaled.jpg)
The first SDLG wheeled loader sold into Southern Africa is still going strong, despite operating in tough working conditions. The LG958L machine has clocked over 5,000 working hours in an arduous application at a portside dry bulk facility in South Africa.
The machine was supplied in February 2012 and continues to front operations at the portside bulk-handling facility in Durban, South Africa. The 16tonne wheeled loader is owned by South African Bulk Terminals (SABT) and is used to load and off-load the 2.4 million tonnes of dry bulk that passes through the Port of Durban/year. It has clocked over 5,000 operating hours and has yet to encounter any significant downtime.
SABT is a major business unit within Bidvest Freight, the freight management arm of Bidvest Group. The company operates twin storage facilities that have a combined capacity of 120,000tonnes. Prior to choosing SDLG, SABT worked with South African construction equipment dealer Babcock International to find the right machine for the job.
While the LG958L is relatively standard in specification, the firm has made a number of modifications, with the support of Babcock. The bucket has been extended to a capacity of 4.9m3, meaning that the single SDLG machine now matches the productivity of two competing 9.5tonne loaders. The team also fitted LED working lights and mounted the oil cooler on swivels so that it can quickly and easily be swung out for cleaning.
