Backhoe Dredgers
Backhoe Dredgers

Custom Cat® Backhoes Carve Out a Chinese Riverbed



Rising like dragon spines from the earth, the Karst mountains of Guangxi Province form one of nature's most dramatic backdrops. However, while these limestone giants define the landscape above, they also pose significant danger for the boats that travel the rivers which flow through them.

The Liujiang and Guijiang rivers form a vital network through Guangxi, connecting vibrant communities across the region. Yet for local dredging teams, the riverbeds present a formidable task. "The stones that are dredged are very hard, and it is extremely difficult to dig them out," says Ning Xuezhong, a veteran with years of experience dredging these waters. "And can be more dangerous than offshore projects."

 To overcome these natural barriers, his employer, Guangxi Newharbour Engineering Company Ltd, turned to Caterpillar. In 2010, the company commissioned two custom-built Cat® backhoe dredgers designed specifically to tackle Guangxi's unique geological conditions. With extended mechanical arms that reach depths of up to 12 meters, compact buckets for enhanced gripping power, and a streamlined structure to reduce vessel weight, these dredgers are purpose-built powerhouses. An open hydraulic system ensures maximum stability on water, allowing one operator to do the work of two.

 The impact has been transformative. Over a decade of sustained effort, these machines have reshaped not only the riverbeds but the region's economic future. Enhanced waterway logistics have begun unlocking Guangxi's potential, making remote areas accessible and setting the stage for broader development.

 For Ning, now a boat manager, the journey has also been a personal one. 
 

My hometown has abundant waterways, but they're underdeveloped. I hope that one day I can return there in my boat and develop the area to help make my neighbours' dreams come true.

Ning Xuezhong

Boat Manager

Guangxi Newharbour Engineering Company Ltd


The rivers are proof of how every day, Caterpillar's engineering, paired with local expertise and perseverance, is moving not just rocks but people, economies, and dreams forward.
 

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