CUSTOMER HAILS NEW JCB MIDIS AS FUEL COSTS SLASHED BY 40%

A Scottish company has invested in a new fleet of JCB machines worth more than £6 million to support its expansion – including some of the first new generation midi excavators to roll off the production line.

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Falkirk-based Lomond Plant Hire has now taken delivery of 45 new machines including more than 20 of JCB’s new 85Z-1 and 86C-1 midi excavators which one of its customers claims are reducing his fuel costs by 40%. Lomond is one of the first companies to buy the new models, launched to the UK market in September.

The significant order also includes: tracked excavators, wheeled excavators, mini excavators, Loadall telescopic handlers, backhoe loaders and tandem rollers. Many will be used to supply the company’s new depot in St Helens, Merseyside, serving customers around the North West of England.

Lomond Plant Hire Joint Managing Director, Ross Easton said: “The feedback on the new midi excavators in particular has been exceptional. Operators have contacted me to tell me how impressed they are. They are more powerful, more responsive, easier to service, visibility is improved and the difference in fuel efficiency is massive. One customer believes he is saving as much as 40% in fuel getting up to 4 days work out of a full tank.

“We have made this significant fleet investment to capitalise on the buoyancy in the construction market and expand our business in to the north of England. We already have a strong customer base and the new depots will enable us to support them strongly with the latest equipment.

“What sets our business apart from the competition is the high level of service we offer. The unrivalled support and the cost and availability of parts from our dealer Scot JCB enable us to deliver it. We see them as an integral part of our business.”

Among the key features of all the new conventional and zero tailswing models are: lower fuel consumption, 30º tilting cab for excellent service access, no costly DPF, a 6% more spacious cab, 11% extra visibility and 100% steel bodywork for excellent durability.

The new machines have already been put to work on a range of high profile applications across Scotland and England including projects at Edinburgh Airport, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Scottish Water and several large house building contractors in the North West.

Founded in 1988, Lomond plant Hire employs more than 110 people and provides general plant hire services – both operated and self-drive – to the construction industry. Customers include local authorities and major contractors and Lomond offers both short-term rentals and long term supply agreements.

The company operates an exclusively JCB fleet of over 250 items including, 1-20 tonne JCB tracked excavators and associated attachments, telehandlers, backhoe loaders and compaction equipment.

Fundamental to the success of its business has been the provision of high quality equipment, a pool of experienced and fully trained operators, and excellent service - including 24-hour call out for service engineers.