All 120 are the JCB 8008 CTS model, chosen for being capable of high performance in restricted areas, such as within buildings and in rear gardens.
The investment is designed to open up new markets for Hewden, as the micro excavators are easy to use and could be hired by redevelopers, landscapers, groundscare operators and DIY enthusiasts. With exceptional legroom and no changeover switches to confuse the user, anyone can become a proficient and safe operator quickly and easily, said Hewden.
Marketing director Kumar Bhamidipati believes the new products will help expand Hewden’s presence in the small-business market. “We’ve been involved in the commercial hire sector for more than 40 years but this latest venture is a significant development from our traditional fleet. We are investing big on one of the highest performing, smallest form factor excavators on the market, allowing us to service an entirely new customer segment.”
The micro excavators (JCB 8008 CTS) have been designed to maximise productivity and save man-hours, when carrying out labour-intensive digging jobs in the most restricted areas. Its 9kW engine, extending undercarriage, dig depth and reach, provide the stability and performance to take on a wide range of tasks. The tubular boom design keeps weight down and has the hoses routed through it, giving them added protection against damage on site.
Hewden said that another advantage is the folding safety frame and a choice of rear or front-mounted TOPS protection, ensuring the safety of the user at all times.
Bhamidipati added: “We’re seeing a lot of demand for this type of product, especially with schemes like the Business Premises Renovation Allowance (BPRA) fuelling small development projects. Our new fleet of micro excavators is perfectly suited to those small jobs, as they reduce time, manpower and complexity of construction work within highly restricted areas.”
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