Kirk Hough goes high tech with HX

by Nick Drew | Wed 27 Jul 2016

Kirk Hough goes high tech with HX

Cornish based Kirk Hough has recently upgraded his 22 tonne class machine with the arrival of his new HX220L model which once again features and Engcon tilt-rotator.

Having seen the HX models during a customer visit to Hyundai in Korea it was inevitable that Kirk, who is a big fan of the product, would choose one as a replacement for his outgoing R 220-9A model. We caught up with Kirk's latest mount on a miserable wet day in Cambourne, Cornwall.

Talking about the new machine Kirk said, “I’ve been really pleased with the HX so far, it is a lot smoother to operate than the 9A version. The all-round camera set up is great when you have it on but could do with being on a separate screen or have a mode where it will come on to the screen if it detects something in you're working area. I personally prefer to look at the machine display (working temps/fuel gauges) unless working in a tight spot. Although they say the cab is bigger I can’t find the extra room! They have done away with a few nice storage spaces and everything bar the handsfree is for android users including the Engcon DC2”.

Kirk continued “Whilst they have added a few nice touches for servicing at ground level, the bonnet hardly opens enough to check the oil, why someone hasn’t made a dipstick that can be pulled from the ground is beyond me or something on the new display just as a guide. There is now a lower front windscreen storage point in the cab which is a welcome addition”.

“The finish on the HX is second to none the paint work is great and simple latches for doors and windows are brilliant, there is even more room in the tool box. Fuel economy is a lot better, since I have had it I am averaging 11.6 l/hr”.

Kirk is quite obviously a keen Hyundai user as he is now running 3 of them which is an endorsement in itself, Kirk said, “I think they are great machines and so do my drivers. Any machine is only as good as the man in the seat and the care you give it. I personally don’t think there is a bad machine out there at the moment, personal preference and dealer back up is the main thing. Anything with an engine will have a problem at some time. I quite often get asked what machine I would have if money wasn’t a problem and at the moment it is Hyundai. They are not a cheap product and they definitely outperform most brands in my experience”.

Kirk has once again opted for the Engcon EC-Oil set up he had on the previous machine with top and bottom hitches fitted so he can drop off the tilt-rotator if needed, but on this unit he has specified the integrated gripper and track controls through the joysticks

The company has expanded in the past couple of years, which as Kirk said was mainly down to the right men coming along more than the work load, even though they are all kept very busy. Kirk commented, “Ben has come a long way in his operating and can turn his hands to most things so when his brother Adam was interested in a job working on diggers with us, so it made sense to expand. We had more than enough work to warrant it but I wouldn’t have expanded without the right minded people”.

Adam is currently operating the company’s R145LCR-9A model as seen below, working on the same site as Kirk on hire to Champion Groundworks in Cambourne. Apart from the site work for Champions the company take on all sorts of jobs during weekends ranging from large agricultural shed sites and self builds to tidying up fields and tracks including some demolition of hoses and barns, it really is a 24/7 operation with the young lads keen to work long hours to get the jobs done.

Kirk has also invested in a Cat D5 dozer having already owned a D6, which he said was a brilliant tool, but was often too wide to move around to some of the rural places in deepest darkest Cornwall, so when he saw the D5 sat in Molson’s yard he jumped at it.

Kirk said, “Running the D5 means we can get through more work in a quicker time. As with on most farms, the fill can be used on site, top soil spread on fields, with the sub soil used for tracks or building up dips in fields, then the D5 can trim the site. That is why I decided to go for the laser kit, levelling has never been so easy”.

“Although we could do it before none of us spend weeks on end driving a blade and the lasers leave a result that I personally think could only be done with a man outside holding a level spot checking. I went for Leica as that is what my engineer uses with his EDM and GPS. I am purchasing it through Opt-Cal and I am not disappointed. The support from Leica and Opt-Cal was great, no hard sales just listening to the customer and giving advice. I was thinking of GPS but they both told me lasers would be better for me and save me money too”

Summarizing Kirk said, “I love modern machinery, technology and attachments and I honestly believe that gives us the edge over our competitors, why struggle when you can use the right tools for the job”.

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