OH&S the focus with skid steer loader for Qld irrigation specialist
WHEN it comes to investing in skid steer loaders, Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) is paramount for many in the construction and trade industries.
In the case of Queensland plumbing and irrigation specialist Mark Kurtz, it made British manufacturing icon, JCB, the clear favourite.
Mark operates Thinkwater Callide Valley, which is based at Biloela and employs about 15 staff, and also runs a 2630-hectare cattle and lucerne production property. Established 38 years ago and formerly known as Biloela Plumbing Works, the business has diversified into irrigation, selling and installing Reinke and lateral move irrigators throughout Queensland. It also installs and services wastewater treatment plants and pipelines in the Biloela and surrounding areas.
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Mark purchased the JCB Robot 160 skid steer loader late last year to add to his equipment fleet. It mainly performs trenching and backfill work, but also assists the building of centre pivots and handles various tasks at the farming property. He said the OH&S benefits with the JCB Robot 160, particularly associated with its side entry cab door and single loader arm, made it the clear winner in the skid steer loader market. |
"With the side entry, you don't have to climb over the front into the machine," Mark said. The single loader arm also allows excellent stability when working on gradients or loading and has greatly improved visibility right around the machine.
"The safety and visibility, and the stability on slopes, is very good. The boys working for us have operated most machines and they find the JCB simple and easy to operate and very comfortable," Mark said.
"We have one worker who is six-foot, seven (inches) and about 135 kilograms and he drives around very happy."
He said the standard quickhitch on the JCB Robot 160 skid steer loader was simple too and allowed for fast and easy changeover of attachments. Thinkwater Callide Valley uses the JCB 4-in-1 bucket, forks, trencher with 6-inch and 10-inch chains and post-hole borer with its skid steer loader, while it also has made up its own blades for the machine. The JCB Robot 160 has the power and reliability of a 37.5 kilowatt (50 horsepower) Perkins engine and transmission power management with improved anti-stall capabilities.
There are three control format options that can be specified to an individual's preference for better comfort and productivity, while a foot throttle option provides greater control and fuel economy.
"The fuel economy with the JCB is brilliant. Compared with Caterpillars that we hire and other Bobcat machines, the JCB would be 20 per cent better on fuel," Mark said. "The boys have really noticed its fuel efficiency compared with the machines we hire."
Thinkwater Callide Valley acquired and services the machine through Mike Moy at JCB Conag Equipment at Gladstone.
Mark said the JCB dealership provided exceptional back-up service 24/7. "This is the reason we have always dealt with them. They are very good at any time you need them,"he said.
For further information on the JCB skid steer loader range, contact JCB Conag Equipment on (07) 4972 5203