Notizie: Blackhorse Contractors: 9 series
Siete qui: Home › News & stampa › News › Blackhorse Contractors: 9 series
The slow route to recovery for the UK’s construction industry is being helped, in no small way, by the arrival of more modern plant and equipment. Where the plant industry once enjoyed margins of 18 to 20 per cent, many are finding that 20 years later, a margin of barely 2 per cent now represents a tough fight. And the emphasis for many companies since 2008, has been keeping a firm grip on survival.
For firms like Wiltshire-based Blackhorse Contractors, the last two years have forced a long, hard look at every operational aspect of the business, and top of the agenda for Blackhorse is its machinery fleet.
“As we adapt our business, we are gradually shifting from a mixed fleet to an all-Hyundai portfolio, says Blackhorse Contractors plant manager Malcolm Slade. “It is one of those areas where we can look to generate savings through better operating efficiency and improved fleet management. I like the advantages that operating a single branded fleet has to offer, including spare parts availability and service items,” he says.
“But more important is the warranty, backup and support that we get, which is first class from both the dealer - Molson Group – and Hyundai too,” he adds. “Hyundai is a company that listens and takes notice of end users, while Molson Group is prepared to do whatever it
takes to support its customers.”
New 9 Series
The Blackhorse fleet currently includes 40 Hyundai Dash 9 excavators, comprising a mix of
short radius R60CR-9, R80CR-9 and R145LCR-9, plus conventional R210LC-9 21-tonners. The first models arrived in the summer of 2010 and others are gradually being phased in to replace older models on the fleet. Launched at Bauma 2010, Hyundai’s 9 series excavator range offers improved fuel efficiency, greater operator comfort and better controllability than the models they replace.
Technical improvements
It is the technology found on the latest Hyundai 9 series excavators that hasn’t gone unnoticed by customers like Blackhorse Contractors.There is a sophisticated 7inch colour display for machine interpretation and adjustment, with innovative computer-aided power optimization system that works behind the scenes to handle the relationship between engine and hydraulic pump. The ability to adjust modes and move more material using less fuel, while seeking ways of getting greater utilisation from equipment, has never been more available.
Added value
But Mr Slade is not simply looking at fuel savings from the latest Dash 9 excavators. He also embraces the sophistication offered in the Hi- Mate telematics and monitoring system, which offers a means of identifying areas where improvements might be made. “The level of detail that this system offers, is incredible,” he says. “We are currently gathering operational data to build up a pattern of how the fleet is operating. Then we need to interpret the information to see how we can achieve far better management of our excavators.” The ability to monitor and record just how long a machine has spent tracking, idling and working at times of the day when it should be locked up, are areas that can benefit the business.
