The first JCB Hydradigs to roll off the company’s production line are being pressed into service - with two being snapped up by a leading Scottish plant hirer.
The innovative Hydradig 110W is taking the construction industry by storm after making its international debut at the Bauma construction equipment exhibition in Munich in the Spring and is already sold out to the end of the year. The machine is manufactured at JCB Heavy Products in Uttoxeter and as a result of its introduction, JCB has recruited an additional 85 people.
One of the first customers to purchase them is Kilmarnock-based Blackwood Plant Hire, which has purchased two of the machines from dealer Scot JCB as part of an order for a total of 25 JCB excavators in a deal worth over £2 million.
Blackwood Plant Hire, Sales Director, Paul McCormack said:
“We are continually looking for new products that can give us the edge over our competitors. The low centre of gravity in the JCB Hydradig allows it to lift so much more than our other machines of this size.
“We expect it to be used for highway works and small building sites with tight access where its zero tail swing operation, brilliant manoeuvrability and the 40km/h road speed to get between sections all make it perfect for these applications.
“Initial feedback is extremely positive. The low centre of gravity on the machine is a great selling point to offer my customers - as they can get incredible lifting power from a small machine. Our operator thinks the machine is very smooth and stable and really enjoys the modern cab space.
“We use JCB machines due to their quality and the service and back-up we receive from the dealer Scot JCB.”
JCB Hydradig is a ground-breaking digging, lifting, loading and tool-carrying machine for urban construction, highway maintenance and municipal operations. Key features include: an unmatched operator view around the machine, a low centre of gravity to allow stable lifting and excellent travel speeds up to 40km/h between job sites, all-wheel steer enabling maximum urban usability and ground level access to all maintenance points.
The machine brings new levels of innovation and engineering excellence to the growing compact wheeled machine sector of the market. It delivers ‘firsts’ in five important customer criteria, offering unparalleled visibility, stability, manoeuvrability, mobility and serviceability. Indeed, Blackwood was one of the customers consulted in the machine’s development and who evaluated it prior to final production.
Blackwood Plant Hire specialises in the hire of operated and self-drive plant to major infrastructure and utilities organisations throughout central Scotland and the UK and has taken delivery of the revolutionary tool carrying solution along with JCB JS370, JS360 long reach, JS220 and JS130 tracked excavator models this year.
It is one of Scotland’s leading plant hire companies with approximately 200 JCB machines in its plant hire fleet. It has vast and unrivalled experience in hiring and operating excavators and associated plant items within the construction industry.
The highly skilled team of CPCS qualified operators brings a vast array of skills and knowledge to contracts undertaken, using their expertise to provide added value and assist with cost savings on many projects.
Blackwood Plant Hire is an approved supplier to some of the largest contracting companies within the UK. It is a Network Rail Link Up approved supplier and is able to supply PTS qualified operators for railway projects.
As an independently owned and managed business, customer service and value are integral to success. The quality of equipment and standard of service is second to none.
Blackwood Plant Hire is committed to achieving high standards in health and safety, environmental issues and quality.