Squibb adds LiuGongs to fleet

UK contractor Squibb Group has recently invested in LiuGong excavators and wheeled loaders supplied by Construction Plant & Machinery Sales, Portsmouth based UK dealers for LiuGong equipment. The order follows on from the success of two LiuGong units that joined the Squibb Group fleet early in 2013, which have proved to be extremely reliable in the demolition environment.

The latest additions include eight LiuGong hydraulic excavators, comprising two 22 tonne CLG922LCIIIs powered by a 105.6 kW (142 hp) Cummins diesel and five 25.5 tonne CLG925LCIIIs powered by a 125 kW (175 hp) Cummins engine. The largest excavator in this order is for a 37.6 tonne CLG936LC powered in turn by a 186 kW (253 hp) Cummins engine. Also included in the order are two CLG856III wheeled loaders.

The new excavators have been heavily modified to meet the demolition specification required by Squibb Group, including heavy duty ram guards on the bucket cylinder, ram and check valve protection plates on the boom lift rams, full FOPS (Falling Object Protection System) cab cage, side skirt impact protection, “boxing ring” fall from height protection barriers, flashing beacons, including green seat belt light, and a rear view camera system.

Talking about the order, Squibb Group managing director Les Squibb said, “We bought two LiuGong excavators in February 2013 to run alongside our existing fleet of machines supplied by Komatsu, Volvo, Liebherr and Hitachi. The LiuGong units have proven to be ideal for the tough demolition environment, they are built of tougher fabric than the machines we currently run and are powerful and reliable.”

He continued “We get a lot of damage to bonnets and panels due to the nature of the work and the cost of replacement parts from LiuGong are so much lower than we have experienced with other suppliers. The back-up package and hands on approach from our dealer Construction Plant & Machinery Sales is refreshing and with clients demanding ever tighter programmes and margins, it’s a real benefit.”