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Plantworx battles the elements but comes out a winner

Wed 15 May 2013

Plantworx battles the elements but comes out a winner

Many people I spoke to today, were buoyant about the number of enquiries they had received on their stands from existing and potential customers alike. I take that as a good sign for the industry, and although we might not be out of the mire yet, it can only be a positive sign for a potential recovery in our sector. Caterpillar Compact salesmen were once again telling me about the great sales volumes for the latest 8 ton model the 308E, many of which we have covered here on the blog over the past months. On the Takeuchi stand, I was hearing great feedback about sales of their popular mini excavator range. Also attracting a lot of attention on stand, was the new replacement for the TB175W Wheeled excavator, the TB295W which had been brought over to display from last month’s Bauma event. New on the Volvo stand was the “Safe Step Cab” concept, which has been designed in conjunction with Ipswich based engineering specialists, Kocurek; a great idea which makes accessing and egressing the cab much safer for operators. An even better idea for those of us who are vertically challenged! Also upbeat about visitor numbers to the stand were New Holland, where one of the star attractions was their long term demonstration operator Steve, putting the latest E215C 21 tonne class excavator through its paces. Today even I managed to get a short spell on the sticks, when I visited our good friends at Engcon and took to the controls of a Hyundai R145LCR, which was equipped with one of the company’s tiltrotators. I never miss a chance to get hands on with a “tilty”! Down in the recycling zone, in addition to their comprehensive stand disply, ECY Haulmark were also demonstrating a whole host of products from their attachment portfolio, using the superb oil quick system. The kit was demonstrated by one of AR Demolitions top operator’s, David Simmons, who put on a great show for the assembled visitors. I’m looking forward to a cracking last day tomorrow.        

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