Yanmar Mini Excavators Rule at SB Contracts

To say that Dungannon based civil engineers SB Contracts are big fans of the Yanmar brand would be something of an understatement; the company’s mini excavator fleet is essentially all Yanmars, and they’ve just added another three, supplied by dealers Crumlin Plant Sales.

The latest additions include two ViO57s, probably the most compact excavator in its class, and ideal for heavy-duty working in an urban environment where space is limited; the third new machine is a ViO33, which also boasts a very compact turning radius. The machines are currently employed on utility contracts for NIE, working in busy built up areas and are proving perfect for the task as they are often operating in restricted areas along roadsides and footpaths. “We’ve always favoured the Yanmar brand,” says Sean McKenna. He and business partner Brian Lanigan head up the company which was formed nearly 10 years ago. “And we have a great working relationship with the team at Crumlin Plant Sales,” adds Sean. The new machines came with a number of ‘extras’ over and above the standard equipment. They included Yanmar’s SmartAssist tracking software, which manages not just location information about the machine, but also provides maintenance alerts and quickly detects potential faults. “Other extras included additional 200kg counterweights, Hill Engineering hydraulic hitches, a rear-view camera for added safety, and although there is adequate standard lighting on the machines, we also fitted a 32” light bar as the machines are often engaged in night-time working,” says Sean. And speaking of visibility, the design of the ViO57 cab provides an excellent all-round view and significantly reduces the potential for blind spots; it is also equipped with three mirrors to help the operator control the work area without moving from his seat.

Cab Comforts

Despite being a compact machine, the cab itself is spacious, with plenty of legroom for the operator, as well as an adjustable, air suspension seat for added comfort, while the working environment is further enhanced by the provision of six strategically located air vents to improve circulation. Other cab features that contribute to operator comfort include adjustable wrist support, footrests, wide travel pedals, windshield with 2 fully retractable parts, sliding double rightside window, wipers, windshield washer, automatic ceiling lights and lots of storage areas for documents and personal effects. The ViO57 is also equipped with a digital interface which informs the operator in

real time about the status of his machine. Perfectly integrated into the righthand console, a 3.3” screen provides excellent visibility. The interface provides useful information about important elements like fuel consumption, fuel gauge, and coolant temperature gauge. It also works as a diagnostic tool in case of malfunction by sending an error code and an information icon on the display. Control levers are ideally located for exceptional movement precision, and also included is an “auto-deceleration” feature, whereby the engine drops back to idle if the driver doesn’t touch the operating levers for four seconds, and an “EcoMode” that effectively controls the motor speed which is reduced by 300 rpm, thus allowing for very low fuel consumption.

Hydraulic System

The machine also features a ViPPS (ViO Progressive 3 Pumps System) hydraulic system. The machine’s hydraulic circuit has an aggregated power regulation equipped with two variable flow piston pumps and a multiple combination directional control valve. Pumps engage automatically depending on the performed operation, providing greater ease of use for the operator. On one hand, the combination of the pump flows can increase the work speed and on the other hand, the system allows smooth and simultaneous performance of all the operations, even while travelling. Driven by a 48.4 HP TNV engine which is equipped with direct injection and turbo charger for improved power, fuel efficiency and torque, the machine’s excellent level of stability, even on the roughest of terrain, can be attributed to its well thought-out undercarriage design; the X-shaped boxsection structure of the undercarriage provides excellent torsional stiffness. Said to have the best boom and arm protection on the market, the ViO57 benefits, too, from unique and complete protection of all its boom, arm and bucket cylinders. All cylinder tubes and rods are protected by a spring type steel plate.

Service & Support

Busy contractors want a machine where daily maintenance can be carried out quickly and easily, and the ViO57 doesn’t disappoint. The engine bonnet and the right-hand side cover are easy to open to

offer direct access to all major elements such as air filter, radiator, refuelling pump, battery, fuel tank, hydraulic oil tank alternator, engine oil dipstick, water separator, and coolant level. Dealer service and support are also essential and as we mentioned, Crumlin Plant Sales doesn’t disappoint either. Comments Sean: “We have been dealing with Crumlin Plant Sales for many years and we have no complaints. They provide a great aftersales package and we know that if ever we need a replacement machine while our own is being serviced or repaired it will always be available, helping to keep our downtime to a minimum.”

THE DESIGN OF THE VIO57 CAB PROVIDES AN EXCELLENT ALL-ROUND VIEW AND SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES THE POTENTIAL FOR BLIND SPOTS; IT IS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH THREE MIRRORS TO HELP THE OPERATOR CONTROL THE WORK AREA WITHOUT MOVING FROM HIS SEAT

gps NEW IRISH INITIATIVE AND MORE SUCCESSES FOR CANTRACK GLOBAL

CanTrack Global, Causeway Coast and Glens Policing and Community Safety Partnership and the PSNI have launched a new pilot scheme which aims to deter quad thefts and help recover stolen machinery.

The initiative provides quad owners with funding assistance to install tracking devices which can act as an important crime deterrent. Speaking about the scheme, PCSP Chairperson Alderman George Duddy said: “Tackling rural crime is very much a joint effort and Causeway Coast and Glens Policing and Community Safety Partnership recognise that it’s important we continue to strengthen our relationships with partners to ensure we are all doing everything we can to prevent rural crime. Through the scheme we aim to support our rural neighbours to protect themselves and their livelihoods from quad theft.” Neighbourhood Sergeant Tim McCullough added: “Quads are an expensive commodity therefore we would urge owners

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to take all possible steps to protect such items. Theft can have a real detrimental impact on your business or farm and so spending a bit of time reviewing your security will go a long way to helping reduce your chance of becoming a victim of crime. “If your quad is stolen then you will want to ensure you have the best chance of getting it back and catching those responsible for rural crime. Tracker technology can help us recover valuable vehicles like quads and we would encourage owners to take advantage of this opportunity through the PCSP.”

Dumper Recovered

Meanwhile, CanTrack continues to lead the way in recovering stolen assets from across Ireland and the UK. CanTrack Protect technology proved incredibly beneficial recently when one stolen Thwaites three tonne dumper was tracked down to Northern Ireland. Using remote CanTrack Protect technology the approximate location of the dumper was determined and then one of CanTrack’s skilled investigators, who are based throughout the country, was quickly deployed to that location. “Once close to the dumper our investigator used a homing beacon signal to detect its absolute location, a shed. Once the landowner granted permission, our investigator took a closer look inside the shed. Although many of the company decals had been removed other identifiers were still present and positive identification could be made. Police were made aware and then attended the scene. The dumper was then recovered.”

Act Fast

These latest examples well illustrated that CanTrack can help recover your possessions worldwide with a dedicated Investigations Unit based throughout the British Isles. “After reporting a theft to the police, it’s vital that you also report the theft of your CanTrack protected asset to us in a timely manner. The sooner we get the call, the quicker we can dispatch our Investigations Unit.”

EJC CONTRACTS LTD - AN EXPANDING COMPANY ON THE MOVE

With a quarter of a century of expertise in the industry already under its belt, award winning EJC Contracts is not only one of Northern Ireland’s most reliable utility service contractors, it is also actively involved in a wide range of other areas – from grab hire and site clearance to road surfacing and groundworks.

Formed in 1996 by Managing Director Eddie Connolly, this ever-expanding company is planning to move into new headquarters in Newtownabbey which will accommodate both its plant and transport operation, together with state-of-the-art garage and workshop facilities. Presently well into a major long-term contract working in partnership with Virgin Media on its Project Lightning, the single biggest private investment in the UK’s digital infrastructure in more than a decade, to provide 50,000 homes across Northern Ireland with superfast broadband. Virgin Media has already asked EJC to expand its work into Scotland and England. While that is happening, EJC Contracts here is growing its private Grab Hire service, which has become increasingly more popular than traditional skip hire. “Grab hire is much more cost effective, reliable and efficient,” says Fleet Manager Paul Marley. “Rather than pay for a skip and have it sitting on site for days on end, we will collect and remove waste materials within hours of being called on to do so. Grab hire is perfect for disposing of large volumes of waste such as bricks, concrete, tarmac, hardcore and other general building rubbish and green waste. “Our fleet of grab trucks can also reach difficult to access sites where space for a traditional skip might be restricted,” comments Paul, who adds that the service is available throughout Northern Ireland to business, private and domestic customers. As fully licensed waste carriers, EJC Contracts’ grab hire service operates seven days a week, all year round, with a modern fleet of trucks and a professional team of drivers who are all HIAB-trained personnel.

Site Clearance

Complementing that side of the business, the company also offers affordable demolition and site clearance services to clients in Belfast and across the Province, with welltrained staff and all the plant and machinery required to carry out the task with ease. The service includes commercial, industrial and domestic site clearance,

contaminated land clearance, garden clearance and general groundworks. Of course, EJC Contracts also provide professional and fully integrated construction and civil engineering services – from car parks and road surfacing, hard and soft landscaping to bulk excavation, groundworks and earth retention systems. That also extends to commercial surfacing work – from roads, schools and playgrounds to Paving, pathways and specialist asphalt surfacing, working along with the client from concept to completion to ensure a job well done.

Utilities

Always at the core of the company’s activities, though, is utilities; EJC Contracts is one of our most reliable utility service contractors, with major project undertakings

in various sectors including gas, water, telecommunications and electricity. “We are qualified to complete the whole process of the installation of the utility service from excavating the trench to final reinstatement, testing and commissioning where necessary. Having our own multi-skilled accredited operatives enables us to lay multiutility services on new development projects which could save clients time and money.” Additionally, the company has a proven track record for the successful installation and maintenance of underground infrastructure for both public and private sectors. Working on long-term projects for Northern Ireland Electricity and Northern Ireland Water, the company has become experts in trenching and ducting methods. “We pride ourselves on the quality of work produced, much of which takes place in challenging locations in busy areas. We will always ensure a top-quality end product is delivered to our clients.”

Project Lightning

Getting back to the company’s work on Virgin Media’s Project Lightning, EJC Contracts began on the project in 2017 as a sub-contractor to Actavo, with six excavation gangs, three tar squads and three grab lorries. These numbers

steadily increased throughout that year and culminated in Virgin Media actually awarding the Project Lightning contract directly to EJC Contracts for 2018. At one stage, EJC Contracts employed around twenty excavation crews on Project Lightning with twenty-six support crews plus administration staff based in different locations, making it the biggest input of any Virgin Media partner across the entire UK. Last year, EJC Contracts delivered 40,000 homes and dug and reinstated 550,000 metres of underground ducting, illustrating the sheer scale of the project.

Expanding Fleet

With so many different facets to the company, it’s not surprising that its fleet of trucks and plant is continually growing to meet demand. In the beginning, the company contracted out servicing and repairs, but in recent years it has established its own fully equipped workshops and technicians, vastly reducing the potential for unnecessary and costly downtime. The fleet ranges from small vans, tippers and grab trucks to diggers, dumpers, rollers, breakers and plant trailers, all of which are regularly serviced and maintained to the highest of standards. As mentioned earlier, the company has won a number of industry awards, especially for its health and safety procedures, including Gold ROSPA awards in both 2018 and 2019.

Community Support

It is also a company that likes to give back to the community, running various charity fund raising events throughout the year. Last year, for example, staff and sub-contractors raised almost £10,000 for the company’s three chosen charities for 2019: Spelga Mews, Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice and Donate4Dáithí. EJC Contracts then doubled the money raised to bring the grand total to a whopping £20,000!