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Digger Man Blog

by Nick Drew  |  Mon 17 Feb 2014

Diggers Executive Hire Show round up (Part Two)

Rounding up our look around the stands of interest to our plant sector during last week’s Executive Hire Show in Coventry.

JCB have long been the kings of PR and marketing something that the late Joe Bamford was especially keen on. It goes without saying then, that the JCB stand was easily the most impressive display in the Ricoh Arena, with a number of eye catching exhibits on display, and an impressive upstairs viewing gallery where food and beverages were on offer to customers and visitors to the stand. Making its Executive Hire Show debut was the JCB 8014 CTS mini excavator. This machine which competes in the competitive 1.5 tonne sector, is said to feature 30 improvements over the previous model. A machine that caught my eye on the stand was the 155 Eco skid steer loader that was displayed with a hydraulic road sweeping brush attachment. This is just one example from JCB’s 17-strong line-up of wheeled skid steer loaders and compact tracked loaders that feature the unique side boom design offering improved visibility, and easier operator access via the side opening cab door. Also on display within a container were a JCB 8008 micro excavator and the HTD5 tracked dumpster which have been designed specifically for the rental and tool hire sectors. British dumper manufacturers don’t come much bigger than Thwaites, an iconic name in site dumpers for as long as I can remember. The company’s smallest offering on the stand was its Micro 300 pedestrian dumper, powered by a Honda 3,2kw (4.3hp) petrol engine, which can carry a maximum safe load of 300kg. This machine could appeal to a broad spectrum of users from small building firms to landscape gardeners. Thwaites also displayed its innovative range of Hi-Swivel dumpers, including the market leading 1 Tonne Hi-Tip dumper which is perfectly suited for working with mini excavators, and discharging its load into skips. Executive Hire Show regulars Ammann, now known as A Y Equipment Ltd in the UK, were once again in attendance, with the most eye catching model for me being the new 2.6 tonne offering the SV26 mini excavator, which made its first public appearance at last year’s Bauma trade fair in Munich. Powered by a 3 cylinder Yanmar engine that meets all current emissions regulations, this machine is sure to appeal to the Yanmar faithful. It was displayed on stand with an Ammann compactor plate attachment. A Y Equipment Ltd also displayed a number of examples from their Ammann compaction equipment range including this ARX26 double drum roller, which has an operating weight of 2469kgs, and a drum width of 1200mm. power as one would expect comes from a Yanmar 3TNV88 engine. As I reported in the current issue of Earthmovers Magazine, Hanix are back! And for the first time the Japanese mini excavator manufacturer was exhibiting at the Executive Hire Show. The brand has established a loyal following over the years not only for its quality and simple design, but its use of well proven components throughout and all sold at a very attractive price. Two models were displayed on stand the H09D micro excavator, and the H17D mini excavator which competes in the 1.5 tonne class sector. Hanix also announced on the opening day of the show, that it has adopted CESAR equipment security and registration for all its mini excavators, and the two examples on stand featured the familiar green and white triangle registration plates. Last but not least in our EHS round up, another show regular, was the UK division of Finnish compact wheeled loader company Avant. Amongst the items on display was this 528 model. After the past few years of recession and doom and gloom, the show was like a breath of fresh air this year, with much talk of a return to better times and orders for new kit being taken on all the stands I visited. Happier times are ahead for all of us in the construction plant and machinery world I feel.  

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