AN Aberdeenshire groundworks firm has paid tribute to the quality of Takeuchi excavators, which have helped the firm carry out a number of challenging tasks since its formation five years ago.
KNC Groundworks, based in Alford, provides a range of construction services including ground levelling, landscaping and drainage.
Founder Kevin Crawford currently runs seven Takeuchi machines – all supplied by local dealer JMS Equipment. The firm’s most recent Investment comprised a TB295W compact wheeled excavator and a three-tonne TB230 mini.
Kevin said, “We started off five years ago with a three-tonne Takeuchi digger and we’re up to a fair fleet now. We have one JCB, one Liebherr and the rest of our fleet is Takeuchi. I like the reliability of the machines; we’ve had no problems at all. And the service is always good from Jim (Milligan – JMS managing director). You can pick up the phone at 5am and Jim will answer.
“We can tow the TB230 ourselves; it’s a good machine and can do a variety of jobs. We’ve mainly been using it for smaller types of jobs like driveways and patios. We’re using the larger TB295W for general construction work.”
Recalling his first machine purchase – a Takeuchi TB125 – Kevin said the manufacturer is “not the cheapest on the market” but that you “definitely get what you pay for”. “The Takeuchi machines are brilliant value for money and if you need spares, they’re there the next day. “The operators are very pleased. They’re great to operate and great to drive. One (operator) said the comfort was second to none.”
KNC recently completed a new warehouse project for a major supermarket worth over £500,000. Other jobs have included various roads and sewers.
As the business is now five-years-old, Kevin is at the stage where he’s starting to replace some of his early machines. “I’d like to keep machines for three or four years, depending on the hours”, he explained. And this is where he believes the high residual value associated with Takeuchi machines becomes an advantage. “You get a bit more for them,” Kevin added. “They’re easy sold; I’ve never had any bother selling a used Takeuchi.”
