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Donellon adds first HX25Az minis to growing fleet

Two of the first HX25Az mini excavators in the UK have gone to work for Stockport-based Donellon Contractors. Launched earlier this year, the 2.5-tonne zero-tailswing machine is the largest of HD Hyundai’s new generation A-Series mini excavators that can be towed on a 3.5-tonne trailer.

“We bought the HX25Az with Digadoc trailers, as we can tow them on a van or a pick-up with buckets, a breaker and a grab,” said company owner Rick Eyre.

Though only in its second year in business, Donellon is expanding rapidly. The company, which turned over £1.5m last year, has more than 20 staff working on contracts across the UK. The fleet of equipment already includes two HX25Az minis, an HX85A midi excavator and a 30-tonne HX300A, along with site dumpers and other equipment.

“We work nationwide in demolition, remediation and civils, mainly in the highways, rail and commercial sectors,” said Mr Eyre.

“We provide a full turnkey package and we like the specialist works that some other companies don’t want to tackle. I don’t want to be a huge company, we’re trying to do everything as efficiently and as safely as possible, which is something that fits with our customers too. We’re already booked out for the next six months.”

The HD Hyundai machines have been supplied by Manchester dealer HES Enterprises and the company provides full service and back-up to the contractor. To maximise the use of the excavators, Donellon has opted for the highest possible specification, including Dramone quick-hitches.

“We try to buy every machine with a breaker and a grab. We can do demolition work, or the grab can be used to lift kerbs or paving,” said Mr Eyre.

This partnership between contractor and dealer has partly been built on the availability of new machinery. For a relatively young company, being able to source equipment in time to meet new contracts can be essential and Donellon is hoping to add a 5-tonne mini and two 13-tonne machines to the fleet over the coming months.

“If Andrew has a machine in stock, we’ve got it on site within a week,” he said. “HES does all of our servicing and nothing is a problem for them.”

Though focussed on providing the best service to its customers, Donellon is already investing in the future. The company has acquired 10 machines this year, along with 10 vans for its staff. It also has three apprentices, working in groundworks and as machine drivers and Mr Eyre is keen to support new entrants to the industry.

HD Hyundai launched a complete range of A-Series compact excavators early in 2024. The HX25Az weighs in at 2,685kg and is powered by an 18.5kW Stage V diesel engine. Available with a full-size cab or a canopy, the machine boasts a new 5” colour monitor, auto-shift travel speeds and safety valves on the boom, dipper arm and dozer blade cylinders. New cylinder and hose guards provide maximum protection against damage.

The zero tailswing design makes it easy to work in confined site conditions. However, service and maintenance is made easy, thanks to wide opening engine covers and a tiltable cab structure. The machine is equipped with HD Hyundai’s HiMATE telematic monitoring system, for maximum fleet security and to ensure proactive maintenance.

“I think the Hyundai machines are there now in terms of performance and specification. The service that we get from Andrew at HES is mega and the back-up is excellent. We can’t complain at all,” said Mr Eyre. “I want to go to one brand across the board. We will be sticking with Hyundai, as you just don’t have to touch them.”

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