A Dumfriesshire-based contractor has snapped up eight new Doosan DX160LC-5 HT 16-tonne high track crawler excavators to assist with a number of forestry projects.
S Richardson Contracting purchased the machines from local Doosan dealer, James Gordon Ltd.
The machines combine the upper structure from Doosan’s DX140LC-5 14-tonne model with a heavier-duty 18-tonne class high track undercarriage, which Doosan said increases the ground clearance from 410mm to 615mm.
In its standard configuration, the digging depth of the DX160LC-5 HT is 5355mm, while digging height is 8940mm and digging reach is 8080mm.
Simon Richardson, owner of Langholm-headquartered S Richardson Contracting said, “The Doosan high track excavators are well built, fit-for-purpose machines that have provided us with many advantages in the forestry work we do from preparing ground and mounding work to drainage and building forestry roads.
“The Doosan high track design allows us to easily negotiate tree stumps and other obstacles in forests, traversing sites much more easily and not having to move/remove the amount of material we had to in the past.
“Unlike our previous excavators which were specially modified, the Doosan DX160LC-5 HTs are purpose-built machines for the forestry and rough terrain work we undertake.”
In addition to tree felling and thinning, the company carries out road and track maintenance work within Forestry Commission and private land, tree re-planting projects together with land ploughing contracts prior to re-planting.
Doosan also offers the larger DX180LC-5 HT high track model, described as an enhanced version of the company’s DX180LC-5 excavator, incorporating a reinforced structure and re-engineered braking system.
The manufacturer said the high track models are designed for customers requiring a combination of higher ground clearance, a reinforced track frame and a strong traction system with reinforced upper rollers for work in harsh environments and on projects where larger travelling distances are involved.
