Executive Hire News › Archives › November 2009 › Market Report : Other equipment
Market Report : Other equipment
Digbits in demand
Digbits reports that one positive outcome of the credit crunch has been increased demand for its replacement rubber tracks and wear parts for mini excavators and other items of compact plant. “Research suggests that, between 2003 and 2007, European plant sales were 25-30% above ten-year averages, with machines being replaced with increasing frequency,” says Director Marcus Clay.
“Now, however, hirers may either be unable to obtain credit, reluctant to increase depreciation on an already beleaguered balance sheet, or just wary about gearing-up when times are uncertain.”
Digbits says it recently took delivery of two substantial orders of tracks at very keen exchange rates, enabling the company to pass on further savings to customers.
01889 503020
www.digbits.co.uk
Avant Tecno to launch 400 Series
Avant Tecno UK reports growing interest from hirers in its 700 Series articulated loaders for materials handling applications, owing to their power to weight ratio and manoeuvrability. “A lack of available credit is also encouraging more people to hire equipment, rather than buy it,” says MD Jukka Vaattovaara. “The 745 and 750 models weigh 1700 and 1720kg respectively, but both can lift up to 1.4 tonne.
“At the Executive Hire Show in February, we will be officially launching our new 400 Series machines, which will be our smallest diesel powered models yet. Lightweight and competitively priced, they are able to accept many attachments, and we believe they will prove ideal for the hire industry.”
01953 714896
www.avanttecno.com
GreenMech’s tough Boxer
GreenMech, which distributes Boxer stand-on skid steer machines, sees great hire potential amongst landscapers and local authority contractors. The company reports that many are undertaking tasks in urban areas, and that the Boxers’ compact dimensions and manoeuvrability can facilitate these operations.
The 322D model has a 22hp Kubota diesel engine and is 876mm wide, while the 32hp 532DX has a variable track capacity from 890-1105mm. Both machines have rubber tracks and can be used with more than 50 attachments.
01789 400044
www.greenmech.co.uk
Westquay targets hire
Westquay Trading, the Warrington-based dealer of Takeuchi compact tracked loaders, reports that more hirers are interested in offering the machines together with specialist attachments that it also distributes, from suppliers including Simex and Tesmec.
Sales Director Garry Adey says that demand is particularly being driven by contractors who undertake road surfacing and reinstatement, and similar tasks. “Hiring out a complete package of tracked loader plus road planer, float and compaction wheel is ideal for such users, especially for large-scale pipeline replacement or digging long, narrow trenches. This approach gives increased operating capacity, while enabling accurate material placement and heavy-duty compaction to be achieved.”
01925 265333
www.westquaytrading.co.uk
Hitch up to Cautrac
Cautrac supplies a comprehensive range of excavator attachments and wear parts, including buckets, teeth, rubber tracks, sprockets and undercarriage components. It has also just added a quick-hitch bucket system to the line-up.
The company, which is the sole importer for Yamaguchi tracked carriers, also offers compact TrackBarrow dumpers, a budget priced range that can be offered for hire alongside a micro excavator to customers such as landscape contractors and small builders.
01206 273111
www.cautrac.com
Interchangeability from Ditch Witch
The Zahn range of walk-behind power units from Ditch Witch UK comprises three machines and various interchangeable front ends. The R150, R230 and R300 have 15, 23 and 30hp petrol engines respectively and incorporate articulated steering, traction assist and a cruise control.
2WD versions are dedicated trenching machines, while the 4WD models can be fitted with seven front ends, including a trencher, vibratory plough, dumper, tiller, backhoe, stump grinder and a load carrier that can accept more than 40 attachments for various construction, grounds care and landscaping tasks.
01792 895906
www.ditchwitch.com
Kanga grows in popularity
Kanga Loaders UK says that, although its range of stand-on mini skid steer loaders was initially viewed by some with a degree of scepticism, the machines have become accepted as a versatile and profitable hire fleet addition, primarily because of their compact size, ease of use and multi-tasking abilities. The machines can be fitted with more than 50 quick-fit attachments and represent an economical, cost-effective and safer alternative to manual handling involved with tasks traditionally performed by hand. They can also be used in confined spaces, such as at the rear of domestic properties.
"We have noted quite a considerable shift in the level of interest in the Kanga range in recent months from hirers keen to explore alternative, and more profitable, revenue streams. The compact size of our equipment continues to become a significant influencing factor in the decision making process," said Stuart Coar, National Sales Manager. "In simple terms, the more the machines can be used, the more money they will save users and the more income they will generate for hire companies.
“We have found that the Kanga is being used more and more as a loader for carrying, digging and lifting, where it was once viewed by many simply as a landscaping tool. Genuinely, we are very pleased with the level of renewed interest and receptiveness with which the Kanga brand has been greeted."
0845 260 4800
www.kanga-loader.co.uk
New Holland specifies AirBoss tyres
AirBoss segmented tyres offer a puncture-proof system comprising individual segments, attached to a specially tailored disc that can be fitted to different kinds of plant and heavy machinery. Dave Goddard of AirBoss said, “If a segment becomes damaged beyond repair, the operator can unscrew the attaching bolt and replace it. The vehicle can then continue without costly downtime or callout charges.”
The tyres have a silica coating to eliminate the migration of cracking. New Holland in the UK has specified the tyres as standard on all its new L160 skid steer loaders. AirBoss has also recently added a double width tyre to its range.
01242 577877
www.airbosstyre.com
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