Cat dealer Cleveland Brothers builds ‘one-of-a-kind’ demolition machine

The modified Cat machine built by Cleveland Brothers finishes its test run, lifting and then demolishing a 2.5-ton concrete trailer (Photo: Cleveland Brothers)

Pennsylvania-based Cat dealer Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co. has supplied what it describes as a “one-of-a-kind” excavator to Independence Excavating Inc. in Ohio.

Cleveland Bros. – which covers parts of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maryland and has been in business for 75 years – has provided a Cat 6015 for work involving the tearing down and processing of harsh materials in the most difficult to reach places.

Also included in the machine package are a Fortress 145FS Series mobile shear and a custom-designed and built Pierce Pacific three-piece boom/stick. 

Independence’s demolition maintenance manager, Ryan Lebeau, visited Cleveland Brothers to see the machine’s first test run – cutting apart and processing an old concrete trailer that was set to be scrapped.

“This machine produces over 300 gallons per minute in hydraulic flow at the end of the stick, resulting in a 10-second cycle time for our shear,” said Lebeau. “Its performance is impressive.”

This build concept was crafted with the demolition of decommissioned power plants and steel mills as it’s intended use, and the machine will be used in projects across the U.S.

“About 85% of our fleet is Cat machines,” Lebeau added. “The Independence Excavating team is excited that we were able to work with Cleveland Brothers to build this.

“Pushing the limits of the machine through innovation is how we set ourselves apart from other demolition companies.”