Corrosive materials industries turn to SDLG

January 07, 2015

For some companies, handling materials that slowly degrade equipment is part of the job. Many are turning to SDLG Wheel Loaders for a value for money option.

Sylvite knows a thing or two about corroded equipment. It’s one of North America’s leading fertilizer distribution companies, dealing in industrial grade fertilizers and commodity fertilizers. From sea to far inland, the company is tasked with moving huge amounts of these chemicals around the region, and in the process, its equipment takes quite a beating.

Inevitable degradation of Sylvite’s industrial equipment is why one branch of the company is turning to SDLG Wheel Loaders to mitigate the damage. Lakeland, Fla.-based Sylvite recently purchased an SDLG LG959, in lieu of a more expensive machine. With far fewer electronic parts subjected to corrosive material, there is much less damage to the Wheel Loader – and to Sylvite’s bottom line.

Fewer electronics means fewer computer components and less wiring – essentially, less to be damaged from chemicals. Sylvite is first able to save money with its value-priced SDLG wheel loader over a more expensive premium machine, and again saves money with less repairs and maintenance.

Pete Marovich, general manager of Sylvite, said the company chose an SDLG wheel loader for its value pricing and because of the damaging nature of its work with corrosive chemicals.

“At first we were looking at premium wheel loaders, but we attended an open house at Flagler Construction Equipment in Tampa, noticed the SDLG machine and its low price, and began to take a hard look at purchasing one,” he said. “The environment the machine works in is very corrosive. We work in a fertilizer warehouse where there is a lot of salt, dust and chemicals that damage machines. Since the SDLG loader has less of the onboard IT, wiring and electronics that usually become damaged and present problems for us, we decided to try it.”

Getting the job done

So far, the LG959 has been a hit with Sylvite. It has a 4.0 yd³ bucket and operating weight of 38,250 lbs. It features a Tier 3 Deutz engine with 224 hp and 777 lb.ft of torque; ZF transmission and axles; wet disc brakes; a hydraulic quick coupler and 3rd function hydraulics; a modern fit and finish with high visibility; and an operator-friendly cab. It comes with a 12-month, 1,500-hour warranty.

“We’ve been very pleased with the wheel loader so far,” Marovich said. “Our operator reports the machine is very maneuverable and handling material very well. It has been a very good bargain for us. Also, we feel very comfortable buying this machine from Flagler. We’ve done business with them for several years and trust it to support the machine.”

Fertilizer proof

Other companies have followed the same line of thinking and purchased SDLG wheel loaders. For example, one North Carolina-based company is using a LG959 to handle corrosive materials that include fertilizer, lime and iron pellets. The company is using the loader 40 hours a week, all year long.

Al Quinn, director of SDLG North America, said SDLG wheel loaders are ideal for many industries with specific needs.

“The SDLG proposition is that it makes quality wheel loaders at value prices. They don’t have the features of premium machines which, as shown in the case of the corrosive materials industries, is a major plus,” he said. In fact, we’re finding that SDLG suits the needs of a lot of companies, whether it be ones that don’t need to run machines all day every day or those that are in the market for a used machine but find value in buying a new machine with a great warranty. Others simply need a versatile wheel loader that’s backed by a great dealer network.”

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