STRAUGHAN & Son, a specialist environmental construction, groundworks and landscaping contractor, has added a bespoke HD Hyundai 14-tonne HX140A L excavator to its fleet.
The machine, which boasts a full width painting by Mr Mural across its counterweight, is also the first excavator to be supplied to the company with a Rototilt tiltrotator.
The firm, based in Bedlington, Northumberland, specialises in environmental projects, constructing tracks and paths, creating wildlife habitats and conservation works, alongside groundworks, civils projects and operated plant hire. Based on a farm, the family-run business also operates a green waste recycling company and an equestrian arena and livery stables.
WL Straughan has more than 25 excavators, from micros through to a 15-tonne HX145A. The company also operates backhoe loaders, wheeled and tracked dumpers, dump trailers and a range of agricultural tractors and compact equipment. It even has a motorgrader for forestry and wind farm access work. Half of the firm’s excavators are now HD Hyundai machines, supplied by local dealer Taylor & Braithwaite.
“We started buying Hyundais in 2014 and we’ve been changing 3-4 machines a year since then,” said director Gary Miller. “We’ve tried them all, but we always come back to Hyundai as one of our preferred brands. The service from Taylor & Braithwaite is second to none and we’ve just never had any issues with the machines.”
Straughan undertakes work for the National Trust and the Wildlife Trust, but the company also works as a framework contractor for Scottish Power on wind farm construction and for Forestry England, where it is a preferred contractor. To cope with these varied contracts, the business operates its excavators with a wide range of attachments including mulching heads, selector grabs, tree shears and flail mowers.
The HX140A L has been supplied with a Miller quick coupler, to cope with regular changes of attachment. However, this can be removed and replaced with a Rototilt attachment, supplied by dealer Stephen Pigg. To cope with the additional weight of the tiltrotator, Straughan has specified the shorter 2.5m dipper arm on the machine, in place of the more commonly specified 3m arm.
“It’s taking a bit of getting used to,” said operator John Reed. “But once you get the hang of it, it’s really good. You don’t have to relocate the machine as much, which really speeds things up on site.”
The tiltrotator also helps when creating landscaping features. The HD Hyundai machine is currently working near a giant rock and soil sculpture called Northumberlandia, Lady of the North. Working on a former opencast mine reclamation contract, the excavator is creating wetland ponds and islands within new lakes, for birds and other wildlife to settle.
The new HX140A L is equipped with bio-oils to prevent any concerns in the event of spillage on sensitive soils. Straughan also specifies a brightly painted ‘boxing ring’ of upperstructure handrails, additional piping to power those attachments, extra work lights, flat beacons, and 750mm track pads.
