A massive donation to Keyano College - in the form of a 797 Cat® Haul Truck - was the focus of a special ceremony outside the College's Suncor Energy Industrial Campus (SEIC) this week.
For 16 years, Truck 113 faithfully moved countless payloads of oil sands for processing. Suncor generously donated the haul truck to the College last month, to be used as a static training aide and display.
"We saw this as a great opportunity to engage students and support the heavy equipment operator and mechanics programs at Keyano College," says Mike Agnew, vice president, mining, Base Plant at Suncor. "We recognize and want to support the next generation of talent and this means having an innovative approach to community investment."
The College welcomed the donation of this valuable tool for its Haul Truck and Heavy Equipment Operator programs.
"Although our simulator training is very comprehensive, we wanted to give students a better understanding of the physical size of these vehicles. What better way than to have an actual haul truck at our Campus?" said Chester Parisan, Chair, Haul Truck and Heavy Equipment Operator programs. "Our department made the request, and we were thrilled that Suncor was willing to consider it."
Moving a 623,700 kilogram (1.375 million pound)-haul truck more than 40 kilometers on public roads and highways, partially through a city, took the cooperation of a group of area companies to make the delivery a reality.
Finning Canada, choreographed this complex move, providing technicians, equipment and services while managing the process from start to finish.
The truck was partially dismantled at the Suncor site, and its major components placed on flatbeds before being marshalled to its new location. Finning secured the assistance of NCSG Crane & Heavy Haul Trans Tech, who applied for the proper permits and shepherded the components to Keyano's Industrial Campus.
The effort saw a caravan of transport and security vehicles passing through Fort McMurray during the early morning hours of Saturday, October 13. The delivery was safely and successfully completed after 3 a.m.
Less than four hours later, crews arrived to put the pieces back together.
Throughout the effort to dismantle and reassemble the vehicle, Kal Tire provided specialized equipment and technicians and LaPrairie Crane provided heavy lift services, including cranes and crews.
"We have a long-time partnership with Keyano in supporting education in the trades and were pleased to further support the college by orchestrating the move and re-assembly of the 797 on campus, which will be given a new life as a useful training aide to the students for years to come," said Brent Davis, VP mining solutions, Finning Canada. "We'd also like to thank our business partners who didn't hesitate, when asked to donate their time and resources to make this move possible."
The final step saw Haul Truck 113 moved to its new specially prepared site, designed to hold its mammoth weight for years to come.
"We are extremely grateful to Suncor for this donation and to all the partners involved who helped make this delivery a reality," said Dr. Trent Keough, President and CEO, Keyano College. "This gift is a reminder of the importance of industry to our Region, a valuable teaching aide, and a monument to our partnership with industry."
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