Kemroc’s chain technology cuts trenches faster

Attachment specialist Kemroc has brought two new cutting systems to Intermat for the first time: its EK range for cutting trenches - and a new system within its Cut & Break (C&B) range which can be used for demolition of civil structures or for rock extraction. “This is the first time we have exhibited the chain cutter in France,” says Klaus Ertmer, Kemroc managing director and the inventor of all the attachments. “Because the cutting head has a chain in the middle, it means that you can dig very small, d
April 23, 2018 Read time: 3 mins
Attachment specialist 8755 Kemroc has brought two new cutting systems to Intermat for the first time: its EK range for cutting trenches - and a new system within its Cut & Break (C&B) range which can be used for demolition of civil structures or for rock extraction.


“This is the first time we have exhibited the chain cutter in France,” says Klaus Ertmer, Kemroc managing director and the inventor of all the attachments. “Because the cutting head has a chain in the middle, it means that you can dig very small, deep trenches with the machine.”

Emroc developed the machine in response to feedback from customers, says Ertmer. Standard cutter attachments have cutting wheels at either edge, and must be moved from one side to another to dig the trench, whereas with the EK tools, a straight cut is possible.  This requires less skill from the excavator or backhoe operator and also speeds up the process.

Ertmer started developing the EK range in 2012, perfecting the chain technology – which has been patented - in the Middle East. “It took us a long time to make the chain reliable,” says Ertmer. “It wasn’t easy.” To date, Kemroc has sold around 60 EK attachments, says Ertmer, largely in the Middle East but also in Europe too.

Visitors to Ertrmer’s stand, which is adjacent to that of its French dealer, Witek, can also see the combination of a slim DMW cutter wheel with its new C&B breaker tool. This system could be used to demolish reinforced concrete structures or for rock extraction.

The DMW wheel is first used to cut slots in the concrete or rock, with the spacing and depth dependent on the material being cut. The wedge-shaped breaker with picks at either side of its tip is then pushed into the grooves to force the concrete or rock apart.

“It makes a good alternative where drill and blast is not possible, due to restrictions on noise or vibration,” says Ertmer. “It can be used for breaking soft or medium-hardness rock.”

Though Ertner designed his first cutting tool attachment in 2000, Kemroc has only been in existence for just over a year - since Atlas Copco acquired Ertmer’s firm Erkat which supplies traditional trenching tools, without the central chain technology. Kemroc supplies markets around the world, says Ertner, including its home country of Germany, Switzerland, North Africa, Japan and the US.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Building a car dealership with machine control
    May 21, 2018
    Canadian contractor MB Ford Construction recently built a massive car sales facility in Canada. Meanwhile the highly specialised site preparation job was sub-contracted to another local firm, Rabb Construction. The new Dilawri Auto Mall was a sizeable, heavy civil project on a 6ha site. Rabb needed to level and grade the site for the four car dealer elevated building pads and their surrounding inventory lots and customer parking. The contract included excavating three storm water runoff retention ponds, wh
    Read More
  • Advances in tunneling machines coming to market
    November 19, 2015
    A diverse array of new tunnelling technologies will help boost productivity and cut project costs, while boosting quality - Mike Woof writes The worldwide market for tunnelling projects continues to be strong, with a series of major projects underway or planned for the future. These good market conditions have helped fuel research and development in new tunnelling equipment, designed to be more productive, more efficient and more reliable and able to deliver a higher quality of work. Drilling and blas
    Read More
  • Erlau chooses bauma 2013 to mark the 70th year since tyre protection chain invention
    January 6, 2017
    Erlau has chosen bauma 2013 to mark the 70th year since Erlau TPC says it invented the tyre protection chain. A small drawing registered by Erlau in 1943 marks a pivotal moment in the history of bulk materials handling. At that time mining methods were changing as the lumbering steam shovels, rope-operated excavators and horse-drawn rail tubs, which had themselves superseded the pick and shovel, were being replaced by wheeled, hydraulic loading shovels and tipper-bodied trucks.
    Read More
  • Switzerland’s new tunnel bore being built
    April 19, 2018
    A major new road tunnel project is being constructed in Switzerland – Mike Woof writes Construction work is now underway in Switzerland for the new Belchen Tunnel bore, a project that has resulted from the country’s long-term infrastructure planning. The building of this latest tunnel is important for Switzerland economically as it will deliver an upgraded link for a major transport infrastructure connection. When it is complete, the tunnel will form part of the vital A2 route between Basel, in the north
    Read More

Highlighted Content