Machine watch at Molsons

by Nick Drew | Mon 03 Nov 2014

Machine watch at Molsons

On my way back to the West Country from Cumbria a couple of weekends ago, I took the opportunity to call into Molson’s yard in Avonmouth, which proved to be a very interesting morning.

I was given the nod to call in by Cornish plant man Kirk Hough, who is continuing to expand his business and adding to his Hyundai fleet with the purchase of a R220LC-9A model, which will join his existing R140LC-9A as featured in issue 121 of Earthmovers Magazine in May this year. Kirk was driving up to see the progress on the machine and the fitment of an “all singing all dancing” Engcon EC219 tiltrotator with EC-Oil system. Perhaps surprisingly the machine is sporting the Champion Groundwork’s signage but this is due to the long term hire work that Kirk is on with the long established, Liskeard based company.

I will be catching up with Kirk and his new kit over the coming months for an updated article on how his machine and its attachment are shaping up, so that will be one to look out for.

While we were in the yard we had a good chance to take a look around and Kirk himself took the opportunity to have a quick go on a R220LC-9A, which was to be his first “hands on” experience with the popular 22 tonne class machine.

Sadly for us a brand new Kobelco SK350LC-9, which according to Molson’s Tom Wilson, is the first example to be sold in the UK was a bit buried by other machines, so we couldn’t get a good look around it. This machine has been sold to London based Hunter Plant Hire.

Amongst all the new kit were some trade-ins, that I think it’s fair to say have had a bit of a hard life, like this R145LCR-9 model that has spent all its life in a waste recycling centre. It’s hard to believe that a compact radius machine could suffer so much damage to the counterweight. However with a rub down and spray up this could quickly become a decent machine again.

I always enjoy a wander around the traded in machines, that at one time were somebody’s pride and joy, there were many in the holding pen at Molson’s yard but one that caught my eye was this old Daewoo Solar 220LC-3 which would be a cheap 22 tonner for somebody!

The Digger Man Blog would like to thank Tom Wilson, of Molson's for being our guide on the day.

The magazine for owners + operators

Digger Man Blog

Machine watch at Molsons

Loads more

Old Kit in the Wilds of Finland

Interest Levels High for New Takeuchi ‘Duck’

Show Stopper from DEVELON at Intermat

Subscribe to Earthmovers