The versatility of JCB’s Hydradig has landed the machine a role in a demolition application in Coventry City Centre.
Purchased by Rugby-based French Contractors LLP, which is carrying out the project on behalf of Jackson Civil Engineering, the Hydradig 110W model is being used to assist in the strengthening and rebuilding of Swanswell Viaduct – situated between junctions one and four on the A4053 ring road which circles Coventry.
It is maximising an array of attachments including a Powertilt tilting hitch, a full range of buckets and a set of pallet forks. It has also been equipped with a Northerntrack hydraulic concrete pulveriser to undertake the surgical removal of the bridge abutments.
Supplied by dealer Watling JCB, the JCB Hydradig has been in high demand on the project since day one because of its high mobility, all-wheel-steering, hydrostatic drivetrain and maximum road speed of 40km/h.
Working in the tight confines of lane closures, the compact dimensions of the JCB Hydradig come to the fore. Thanks to the TAB boom and a rear over-hang of just 120mm it is able to squeeze into the tight locations to remove the abutments and parapet walls with ease.
French Contractors LLP Partner David French said: “Being able to provide a solution that exceeds our customer’s requirements has long been a part of the offering here at French Contractors. Our ability to undertake specialist applications has always helped us stand out for our clients. The JCB Hydradig does just that – bolstering our fleet and bringing a versatile dimension to operations – whether that be through mobility, excavating, materials handling or proving hugely capable in a demolition application too. It’s manoeuvrability and visibility are also very helpful on confined jobs such as this one.”
Operator Ian Ellery said: “The stable machine handles the pulveriser exceptionally well. We would have had to use a larger wheeled excavator if the Hydradig wasn’t available to us. This would have meant a larger attachment, occupying more of the road and additional closures necessary. Quite simply, the JCB Hydradig has made this job far easier for everyone.”
Powered by a fuel-efficient, low emission JCB EcoMAX 444 diesel engine, the 11.5-tonne Hydradig 110W can easily rotate its upper structure within a single highway lane. The machine’s all-wheel steer chassis provides a compact turning radius of less than four metres and the Hydradig can travel at up to 40km/h where permitted, for rapid relocation on site.
From its Rugby headquarters, family business French Contractors LLP serves Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester, Lutterworth, Northampton and Warwick with a comprehensive plant hire service. Offering operated or self-drive hire, available same day – equipment is backed by 24/7 emergency support.
The company’s predominantly JCB fleet includes: mini excavators, wheeled and tracked excavators, backhoe loaders, rollers, breakers, kerb grabbers, forward and swivel-tip dumpers, compactor plates and auger bits.
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