EXCAVATING IN
TIGHT SPACES
WITH ITS REDUCED TAIL SWING RADIUS AND ADVANCED SAFETY FEATURES, JCB CEA’S 245XR TRACKED EXCAVATOR IS HELPING MJB CONTRACTORS OPTIMISE ITS SERVICES IN CONSTRICTED WORKING SPACES.
S
ince its inception in 2000 as a multidisciplinary construction company, MJB Contractors has developed into a multi-million-dollar business, undertaking contracts from some of the industry’s largest players, as well as from the Victorian Government. Director Paul Ritchie and Co-owner Mick Bourk have used their combined 50 years’ experience in excavation, carpentry and concreting to support the growth of the business. As Ritchie explains, this rapid growth has also allowed for an expansion of the
business’ machinery fleet. “Once I became the Director, I saw the money which could be saved by purchasing machinery, rather than renting it. From that point onwards, every year I would try and invest a portion of the company’s profits back into machinery,” he says. MJB works across multiple industries including the industrial, commercial, and civil construction sectors. Ritchie says the company is achieving its goal of becoming a one-stop-shop for project delivery. “To be a sub-contractor that can do everything, from the groundwork to The 245XR Tracked Excavator has a tail swing radius 40 per cent shorter than its predecessor.
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concreting, installing elevated beams and more, is really important for us. We try to deliver the whole package from start to finish,” he says. CREATING SPACE In recent years, MJB has been tasked to assist with supporting Victoria’s Level Crossing Removal project, undertaking works across Melbourne. Ritchie says the constricted space at each level crossing removal job presented a significant challenge. But he says upgrading to a 245XR Tracked Excavator from the company’s previous machinery has proven to be the perfect solution. “It was time for us to upgrade to a larger machine, with a bit more weight and more power,” he says. “We work in tight rail corridors where there can be objects such as scaffolding nearby. Using the previously owned machine wasn’t worth compromising the safety of my employees. The shorter swing radius of the 245XR gives me confidence that my workers can be safe when they are near the excavator.” The 245XR Tracked Excavator features a tail swing radius of 1.72 metres, 40 per cent less than its predecessor the 220X. This equates to a working radius reduction of 1.6 metres compared to the 220X. In addition to the reduced tail swing, the 245XR Tracked Excavator features ‘Selectable Slew Swing Smoothing’, enabling operators to have maximum control over the speed and accuracy of the machine while working in confined spaces. Despite the focus on movement in small spaces, the size and features inside the 245XR Tracked Excavator’s operator cabin are not compromised. A seat-mounted joystick and switch controls move with the operator, while
