Manawatū-based civil contractor Stringfellows is backing technology-led earthmoving with a new Cat 623 motor scraper to lift productivity, ease labour pressure, and maximise fine-weather opportunities for land development. Their new Cat 623 joins an extensive Cat fleet, and General Manager Simon de Rose says it offers the business a proven path to higher output and productivity.
With over 50 years in business, Stringfellows has spent the past decade evolving from a family-led contractor into a broad, civil infrastructure business delivering work for private developers, councils and commercial clients across the lower North Island. Simon says the company’s capabilities are deliberately broad, ranging from subdivisions and industrial land development to environmental works and specialist projects, because regional markets demand flexibility.
On the ground, that flexibility is evident in Stringfellows’ diverse workload: they’re progressing staged subdivision development, delivering new industrial sections for local government, and supporting major infrastructure and energy projects. All these projects require fast, dependable, bulk earthworks, and the new 623 is now playing a key role in the multi-stage Awa Park subdivision development in Feilding. The development is expected to grow to around 800 residential lots, with a commercial area planned as the new northern suburb takes shape.
For Stringfellows, the Cat value proposition hinges on technology and reliability. Simon points to integrated machine systems using leading GPS positioning technology and onboard payload measurement. These features help them hit consistent targets and keep production moving while maximising fuel efficiency.
He says reliability is equally important: “Cat machines are so dependable; we just don’t have problems with equipment reliability”. Motor scrapers were not always a core part of the Stringfellows’ fleet. Simon says workforce shortages and time pressures were the two main drivers. “We really struggle with workforce availability in our area, so our business looked for ways to do more work with less people.”
At the same time, tighter weather windows and increasing work restrictions make productivity on good days critical. Cat motor scrapers, he says, offer a proven path to higher production, especially for bulk and shallow-cut earthworks. After adding older Cat scrapers to its fleet in recent years (including a 623H sourced from the US and a 615 purchased locally), Stringfellows decided its next long-term investment should be a new Next Generation Cat 623.
“Rather than buying another used unit, the business opted for the latest and greatest, so we can capture the newest technology over a longer ownership horizon of 10–15 years.”
On site, the most noticeable gains have come from the new 623’s integrated technology loading systems. Simon says the Sequence Assist and Payload features make it easier to achieve a full, consistent load, reducing variability between passes and helping the machine load quickly and smoothly.
Running the Cat C13-powered 623 alongside the older 623H has shown just how far Caterpillar technology has come: the Next Generation machine maintains a steadier speed through the cut by automatically adjusting bowl position and cut depth, which reduces wheelspin and shortens cycle times.
Simon believes premium equipment and smart assistance systems benefit both people and production. Advanced machine guidance and loading support can help an “average operator” become a strong performer more quickly when experienced scraper operators are scarce. It also signals opportunities for younger staff to move into newer, better performing machines. Michael Bradley, the dedicated operator on the new 623, “absolutely loves it,” says Simon.
As well as the integrated Cat technologies in the spacious motor scraper cab, the 623 features intuitive controls and excellent visibility. Other features like Bluetooth connectivity and low noise levels provide a comfortable working environment for all-day operation.
Beyond cycle times, the bigger motor scraper story is utilisation. On large, flat sites, such as the 20-hectare block Stringfellows is working on, the 623 can strip and respread material at a pace that reshapes daily production planning.
With the 623 constantly loading, travelling or spreading, Simon notes, “there’s no downtime. Every litre of fuel is used in anger, which is ideal with higher diesel costs.” In practice, a single Cat scraper can replace a spread of machines and operators (such as an excavator and two articulated trucks in topsoil stripping), reducing total operational fuel consumption and simplifying logistics.
“In that application especially, the 623 is so much faster, managing its own stockpile, and that’s such a big advantage.” Simon also credits support from Terra Cat’s Palmerston North branch. In particular, he appreciates having access to local Cat technicians and specialist operator training that supports a machine type that’s less common in New Zealand.
With a number of major projects in progress and more on the horizon, he says the 623 is already delivering on the strategy the company planned and saved for: it’s turning short fine-weather windows into high-output days and weeks while supporting continued growth and improving fuel efficiency across Stringfellows’ Cat fleet.
“We’re loyal to Cat because their equipment helps us get the job done in the best way possible. With great machinery backed by a solid distributor in Terra, it’s a win all round,” Simon states. “Add to that the advances in the latest technology, and we’re confident our investment in the 623 will continue to improve productivity.”