Random Meeting leads to Test Drive Opportunity

During a visit to Plantworx 2025 Kenneth Hatcher received a proposal which was completely out of the blue after walking off one of the stands, which just proves, you never know who’s watching!

The 'wanna be' influencer Ken, aka ‘Sprocket Man” had just been on the Kubota stand taking a drive in one of The Digger Girls branded mini excavators, and unbeknown to Ken, a representative from a Chinese manufacturer was watching him perform.

On leaving the stand a guy approached us and said he was impressed with Ken’s operating, and wanted to know if he would be interested in doing some test driving for his manufacturer.

The initial role he was offered proved to be too bigger step for Ken, as he is not a great fan of travelling, but not to be put off they offered him a more UK based opportunity. His first job took place last week when he was invited to try out the manufacturers new 9-tonne offering.

Ken spent a day at a secret location in Staffordshire where he was invited to put the new prototype machine through its paces, and to offer feedback on things he liked and things he didn’t like.

Those of us who know Ken will recall that he’s a hard man to please, and he would find fault in a brand-new thing, so we can guarantee it was given a thorough going over!

It’s not my place to reveal his thoughts on the machine, but it’s nice that he has got the opportunity to do this, as he has devoted his whole life to machine operating, and is clearly passionate about the industry.

We thank Ken for sharing his photos with us here on the Digger Man Blog.