JCB JS220 offers site clearance solution

Scottish plant hire firm Tom Grant Plant, based in Darvel in Ayrshire, Scotland, has taken delivery of three 20 tonne JCB JS220 tracked excavators as a direct result of an upturn in demand from demolition contractors for mid-sized machines to perform site clearance duties following on from the departure from site of the larger machines used for initial demolition.

Owner Tom Grant said: “With its agility and excellent fuel efficiency thanks to the Ecomax engine, the JS220 is significantly cheaper to run than a large demolition excavator yet able to perform a wide range of handling, cutting and sorting tasks required as part of the demolition process.”

The JS220 is the first JCB machine over 20 tonnes in weight to use the company’s 4.8 litre Ecomax engine. This power unit delivers 129 kW (172 hp) and uses common rail injection, variable geometry turbocharger and full electronic control, which the company claims leads to a 10% reduction in fuel consumption. JCB’s clean burn engine technology means that there is no need for the use of a diesel particulate filter.

Tom went on: “We have spotted the opportunity to deliver this service – providing a smaller and productive machine than many out and out demolition contractors have in their fleet. In addition to the machines’ performance the service from Scot JCB is also excellent. Response times on support or parts is rapid and the competition just can’t compete with that.”

The three new machines have been specified with specialist auxiliary pipework, a rotation circuit and directional controls to give enhanced attachment utilisation. They have been put to work on a series of demolition projects across central Scotland picking up steel, wood and building materials, and feeding crushers on site, using a range of attachments including buckets and a selector grab.