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Isle of Man contractor choose Sunward

Isle of Man arboricultural contractor Roots to Shoots has made Sunward its exclusive excavator supplier, five years after purchasing its first machine from the manufacturer.

Founded in 2015 by Chris Preston, the company is now operating its third 2.7-tonne SWE 25UF zero-tail mini excavator and its first six-tonne SWE 60UF zero-tail compact model. Both machines are used across a wide range of arboricultural, landscaping and farm work. “If we can get them in on a job they go,” Chris said. Applications include creating access, ditching, mulching, landscaping, handling timber and brash, feeding a large chipper, site clearance, firewood production and work around the home farm. Supplied by West Midlands-based Sunward dealer Hamstead Plant, both excavators are equipped with a range of attachments, including buckets, rotating grabs, mulching and flail heads, and a brush land rake. The SWE 60UF also runs a Lasso cone splitter.

“As you can imagine, such work isn’t easy on the machines but with regular washing and scheduled maintenance I can’t fault them or the back up from Hamstead. Nothing is ever a problem for them and because I’m remote that is a massive reassurance for me,” he added. “Our diggers are now exclusively Sunward. I wouldn’t bother with anything else because the quality you get for what you pay is incredible. The machines are user-friendly for operator and engineer, with plenty of power and reliability.” Chris has also helped introduce other operators on the island to the brand, with several trying his machines before making their own purchases.

Shaun Reid, Head of Operations at Hamstead Plant, said: “Chris is a great ambassador for Sunward over there and has purchased multiple machines and encouraged others to do so by letting them demo his machines. To the point where there are now five operators running seven Sunward excavators on the Isle.”

Chris added: “A good friend and main competitor has a SWE 25UF and SWE 60UF after having a go in mine and he would not be without them! For me, it’s about showing people the big brands are not what they once were. We both use the same mechanic/engineer and he can’t fault them to work on. The more Sunward machines we can get here will only strengthen the network.”

Roots to Shoots employs nine full-time staff, supplementing its workforce with subcontractors when required. Its work covers utility, commercial and domestic arboriculture, alongside countryside and estate maintenance. Chris also farms 80 acres, with more than 100 breeding ewes. He said: “I’m very old school. When I spend money, even when I know it’s going to make me money, I still have to talk myself into doing it! So for me to be on my third SWE 25UF and first SWE 60UF speaks volumes. I’ve let anyone have a go with them and there’s not been one bad word to say. Even my mate who runs a very modern fleet of well-known British diggers cannot fault them. “Back up for me is a massive factor, especially being on an island in the middle of the Irish Sea. I spoke to some local dealers of other brands and they just did not meet the requirements of my needs for backup.”

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