J K Williams delivers quality with engcon precision

Founded more than 65 years ago, Sydney-based JK Williams has a rich family history and a strong heritage of quality, stability and innovative industry leadership. Its reputation for excellence, resourcefulness and responsiveness comes from the values that have guided the company, while its energetic enthusiasm in helping its clients succeed has given it a competitive edge. The company employs more than 200 people, including well experienced professionals and construction personnel who are focused on providing service that exceeds the expectations of its clients.

Detailed residential development earthworks

The company is currently working simultaneously on Stages One and Two of a new suburban residential development site in South-West Sydney. Work has included bulk earthworks, drainage and infrastructure pits as well as site preparation and materials placement for the construction of kerbs, gutters, footpaths and landscaping.

“We have always adopted the latest technology, together with an innovative approach to improving our construction operations, which has led to the way we deliver projects today,” said site supervisor Nathan Brindley.

“The engcon system is part of our focus on quality assurance and has made a significant contribution to providing clients with both cost effective and time efficient solutions. The engcon technology has given us many long term benefits and has influenced the way we conduct our construction operations,” Nathan said.

Site and operation flexibility

The JK Williams Liebherr 16-tonne A914 wheel excavator is operated by Harley Masterfield, a construction worker who has been working with JK Williams for seven years. A construction industry career was attractive to Harley who had previously worked in distribution. He was drawn to JK Williams by noticing the depth and variety of their infrastructure works across Sydney, their professionalism and industry ethics.

“I was originally a backhoe operator but have spent the last ten months using the engcon tiltrotator with the Liebherr wheeled excavator, “said Harley. “When JK Williams bought the Liebherr excavator, I welcomed the opportunity and the challenge to learn how to operate a new machine, together with the engcon tiltrotator system and its tools.

“Learning has always been a passion of mine and the challenge of becoming expert in the machine and its engcon tiltrotator really appealed to me. While adapting my skills to learning the tiltrotator came naturally, it still took a while to become fully expert. In the process it became clear how the joystick hand control system was so ergonomic, intuitive and natural that operating the machine and attachments became a very efficient and productive process.

“Becoming proficient with performing rotation, tilting and opening the grabs at the same time was a fairly fast learning experience. The engcon control system that forms part of the tiltrotator process really makes it easy to execute all tool movements with great precision. “On this project, the Liebherr A914 wheeled excavator is performing works as required on the two site stages. It is very satisfying to complete different tasks which involve numerous attachment changes throughout each day. The wheeled excavator in conjunction with the engcon tiltrotator system virtually gives me limitless capabilities to perform every type of works that are required on this site, without the need for additional machines, attachments or personnel.

Meeting any challenge

“The variety of tasks where the engcon system provides outstanding performance includes preparation for services, trenching or landscape work. Other tasks involve unloading trucks, picking up and moving pipes or rocks with the grab attachment , performing final trim with the spreader bar and trimming buckets, especially doing the finishing touches on this first stage of the development.

“It's a huge benefit that in a minute you can drop a bucket off and install other attachments and back again, without moving from the cabin of the machine. This makes it extremely safe when working in the vicinity of other people and saves a massive amount of time every day.

“With this equipment, the possibilities are endless. Even in the last ten months, I have learned so much about the amazing capabilities of this excavator and tiltrotator system. It is always a surprise to other tradespeople on site to see that the way the buckets can be rotated and tilted to any angle needed perform work with such apparent ease, precision and efficiency.

“The machine is not just about my task, it's also about reducing time and effort for others who are working on the site.

“The capabilities of the engcon system are particularly valuable when I am assisting on landscape works where landscapers shovel material from the bucket into small spaces. I can fill a bucket of concrete to help the pit builders where I can spin the bucket to place material into all corners of the pits to really speed up their job.

Others working on landscape and fine detail work find it extremely helpful how I can manipulate the loads and buckets to make their job a lot easier and faster.

Great reliability

“There are absolutely no issues with the engcon system. It is a well-engineered piece of equipment that works faultlessly and always performs the tasks for which it has been designed”, Harled added.