Hyundai Addition’s for KHC

Kirk Hough is clearly a fan of Hyundai construction equipment, he purchased his first hydraulic excavator, an R 140LC-9A back in January 2013 from Molson’s and hasn’t really looked back since, adding more and more of the Korean built machines to his fleet, last year we took a trip down to Perranporth, Cornwall, to see one of the latest additions.

Since Kirk purchased his first Hyundai he has continued to add and upgrade his fleet of excavators along the way. Most if not all the units are featuring a tiltrotator of which Kirk is also a big fan, recognizing the benefits that the game changing systems offer his business. In a more Scandinavian approach, Kirk has tiltrotators from 3 of the most well-known Swedish manufacturers. Having started out with Engcon, following on with units from Steelwrist and SMP which have since been added.

Kirk’s Helston based business KHC Groundworks and Civil Engineering is currently running six Hyundai excavators which include the R 55W-9A wheeled excavator, 1 x HX140L’s, 1 x HX145LCR, 1 x HX140W, 1 x HX220L, and the latest addition, which is a 3-tonne class R 30z-9AK.

We caught up with the machine on an extremely tight and congested site in Perranporth, an ideal type of site for a zero tailswing combination, working alongside one of Kirk’s HX145LCR’s.

Tipping the scales with its fully enclosed cabin at 6,625 lb (3 005 kg) the Hyundai R30Z-9AK excavator is powered by a Tier 4 emissions compliant Kubota engine, offering a power output rating of 23.2hp (17.3 kW). It’s maximum digging depth is 8ft 2 in (2 490 mm), and its maximum digging reach is 15 ft 3 in (4 648) mm. Bucket breakout force is 4,520 lbf (20.1 kN).

Hyundai state that the spacious, ergonomically designed cab reduces noise and increases comfort and visibility. A tilting left-side console makes it easier for the operator to enter and exit the cab, and the left and right control levers are located for convenient access.

There is also a lever pattern-change valve, which enables operators to change to joystick pattern from SAE to ISO to suit individual preferences, although one would think most operators today prefer and are used to the standard ISO pattern.

All the usual Hyundai refinements which we have come to expect are included in the cab, button selections are provided for auto idle mode, max power mode and travel speed. An adjustable suspension seat and plenty of space help reduce operator stress and fatigue.

As previously mentioned, most of Kirk’s machines are fitted with tilrotators and the R 30z-9AK is no different fitted with an ST6 model from SMP which was also supplied by dealer Molson. This was the operators first time on a machine with a tiltrotator and he commented on how impressed he was by them and how much more you can do with one fitted, “It opens up a whole new way of doing things” he said.

With an increasingly busy workload ahead of them, Kirk is also starting to add some Kobelco machines to his fleet, with an SK17S mini excavator already in service and an SK75MSR on order with SMP “tilty”.   

Check out our video from the day of the site visit.