RB Auctions Apr 25

News

Digging deep into construction machinery news

Tue 15 Dec 2015

Cornish with a twist & rotate

Cornish groundwork and civil engineering contractor Kirk Hough has extended his fleet of Hyundai excavators with the purchase of another R140LC-9A machine. This latest addition to the company's excavator fleet weighs in at 14tonnes and in line with Kirk's earlier R220-9A model, has been delivered complete with an Engcon EC219 tilt-rotator set-up. Kirk claims that the versatility the tilt-rotator and EC-Oil quick hitch offers the operator, more than makes up for the smaller size of the base machine. He said: “This is the first 14tonne machine that I have owned with an Engcon tilt-rotator fitted on. I do have a 20tonne Hyundai excavator which is also fitted with an Engcon, but wanted a smaller machine to help me get into tighter sites. I have found that the tilt-rotator and quick hitch is more than efficient enough to make up for its smaller size.” Engcon’s EC219 tilt-rotator is suitable for all excavators in the 12-19tonne weight class and features a host of features that help bring the best out of its base machine. Supplied with hose, quick couplings and electrical installation kit for one machine, the EC219 features a maximum width of 369mm, an overall length of 737mm and a tilt range of two x 45degrees. Kirk was confident that the Hyundai R140LC-9A excavator would offer all the power, manoeuvrability, comfort, efficiency and value for money he would want. He said: “I have been more than happy with every Hyundai I have had. They have all worked hard for me and other than routine maintenance; I have never had to touch them. The Hyundai R140LC-9A has an operating weight of 14.2tonnes and is powered by a Perkins 1204E engine which is capable of delivering a maximum torque of 54kgf.m/1,400rpm and maximum digging force of 102kN. Boasting a 270 litre fuel tank the machine’s maximum overall length is 7.85m with a maximum overall width of 2.7m. Overall height of the cab is 2.86m with a minimum ground clearance of 440mm. The new excavator has already been tested on a host of projects throughout Cornwall and has proved more than capable of living up to its promise. Kirk said: “We have recently been working on a large housing development site in Truro and the R140LC-9A and Engcon tilt-rotator   set-up   has   been   fantastic. I have the EC-Oil quick hitch system fitted which means the operator doesn’t even need to get out of the cab. You can change attachments in seconds and be getting on with your work immediately. Without that you might have to spend five minutes out of the cab getting the attachments sorted out. That is time you could be spending actually working.  It also means that because it takes no time to put down one attachment and pick up another, you make sure you are using the right tool for the right job. It’s so quick and easy the efficiencies are obvious.” Kirk’s operator Ben Olds commented on his experience with the Engcon, “I’ve been on the controls of one for 6months now and I must say it is one awesome piece of kit. Takes a minute or two to get to grips with at first but now a conventional machine would be painful. The EC-Oil system is brilliant, letting me drop the unit off and put the NPK grab on in minutes. The machine changes user's and oil flows/pressures for each attachment to my set preferences making it all smooth to operate. Engcon it's self makes a job a lot quicker and neater which is good all round. And above all else it's easy to maintain”. It’s clear to see that Kirk and his operator Ben are clearly devoted tilt-rotator adoptees. And like so many who have now taken the plunge and invested in the concept, there will be no way they will ever go back to the conventional rigid bucket set up. In fact, Kirk is so happy with the Hyundai/ Engcon tilt-rotator combination he has another machine on order from Molson. He is looking at another 14 tonne class excavator but this time the Hyundai R145LCR-9A – a reduced tail-swing machine that will help him get into even tighter spots on site. Kirk said: “I have ordered a R145LCR-9A. With the Engcon tilt-rotator it would be such a versatile machine. I will be able to get to smaller jobs and actually dig directly alongside the machine without having to sit the excavator square to the job. That can mean a huge time saving and also mean that I can carry out work that previously only a 5 tonne excavator could get to.” Molson area sales manager Tom Wilson has been helping make sure Kirk Hough gets the service he deserves and he welcomed the move. Tom said: “We have developed a really strong working relationship with Kirk and been able to deliver the post-sales service he requires. I am very pleased that we at Molson have been able to help Kirk keep his machines working efficiently and I am sure that we will continue to work closely together.”  

Loads more

LOADS MORE

This website and services embedded within it use cookies to offer you the best user and functional experience and to provide us with performance statistics. Please click more information to read about cookies and to view the cookies we use.

More information | Block cookies

If you choose to block cookies some parts of this website may not operate. To block cookies please do this within your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to block cookies within their settings and we have provided links to the most commonly used browsers. Please view our cookie details page for more information on the cookies we use.

Chrome | Firefox | Safari | IE

Accept + close