Construction World May 2015

SKIDSTEERS

COST and TIME BENEFITS Lambson’s Hire has reported a high utilisation of its

Not only is the skidsteer/mini exca- vator combination better suited to operation on constrained sites, but these machines are perfect for multi-tasking on projects. “The machines allow work to concurrently take place in two different areas on a site, whereas a stan- dalone TLB does not offer this flexibility,” says Van Zyl. He cites the example of the mini excavator excavating a trench while the skidsteer is removing the rubble. Both the skidsteer loader and mini exca- vator can be used for a variety of applica- tions including loading earth into a truck, digging, moving building and landscaping materials, cleaning roads on building, trenching, landscaping and road building/ refurbishment contracts. The skidsteer loader is distinguished by its steering system, whereby the machine’s movement is controlled by varying the speed and direction of the two sets of wheels on each side independently. This feature guarantees high manoeuvrability and there- fore makes it a very useful machine on sites where it is required to operate in tight spaces. Similarly, the mini exca- of the traditional tractor loader backhoes (TLBs), which can be attributed to contractors being able to achieve far more with the two units working together as opposed to a standalone TLB,” Devin van Zyl, CEO of Lambson’s Hire, says. > skidsteer loaders and mini excavators. “It appears these units are being hired in place

Lambson’s Hire’s Compact Plant Division offers the Wacker Neuson 3,5 t mini excavator which is ideal for use in areas where space is at a premium and these lightweight machines provide very low ground pressure which ensures that track marks and top ground damage are minimised.

fits to the table. These compact and light- weight machines provide very low ground pressure which ensures that track marks and top ground damage are minimised, an issue that is hard to overcome with a TLB. In addition, they are capable of a 360° swing. A skidsteer/mini excavator combination offers other tangible benefits including their attractive fuel efficiency. “Since skidsteers and mini excavators are small machines with smaller engines than those powering backhoes, they use less fuel. Attachment selection is another big plus and this is evidenced by the sheer number and variety of attachments available for skidsteers, making them extremely versatile items of plant for a diverse number of applications. A fairly broad selection of attachments is also available for mini excavators,” Van Zyl points out. The Lambson’s Hire’s Compact Plant Division offers both Wacker and Caterpillar skidsteer units. The Cat skidsteer has excel-

lent capabilities, high breakout forces and constant hydraulic power on demand. It is driven by a 45,5 kW engine while its oper- ating weight is 2 641 kg. Applications range from simple load-and-carry operations to truck loading, as well as more specialised tasks such as grading and dozing. The rated operating capacity is 680 kg. Lambson’s Hire’s Compact Plant Divi- sion offers the Wacker Neuson 3,5 t mini excavator. It is available with bucket widths of 350 mm and 550 mm and an optional hydraulic hammer. Low fuel consumption, reliability and minimal downtime are often cited by customers as their main reasons for hiring this piece of equipment. Another leading feature is high stability due to optimal weight distribution and its vertical digging system. “Offering a skidsteer/mini excavator combination promotes our philosophy of being a single-source provider for our customers,” adds Van Zyl. Lambson’s Hire’s compact equipment fleet has grown consistently to cater to customers’ changing requirements. The division has its own dedi- cated workshops operated by specialised personnel, who are also trained to provide on-site servicing and maintenance. “Lambson’s Hire will continue to make the latest products available to its customers as it strives to remain ahead of the rapid technological development in the compact plant sector. We will acquire exper- tise in specific fields to pass on to our customers, as well as increase our service levels. Ultimately we strive to drive down our customers’ costs and increase their profitability,” Van Zyl concludes.

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vator is ideal for use in areas where space is at a premium and also brings its own bene-

The skidsteer loader is distinguished by its steering system, whereby the machine’s movement is controlled by varying the speed and direction of the two sets of wheels on each side independently.

CONSTRUCTION WORLD MAY 2015