G & J Groundworks perform more jobs, faster and safer, thanks to Engcon

We visited Grant and his fellow director Ivor Smith to find out more on a 7-plot luxury housing project for their valued client, J S Crawford, in Gattonside near Melrose. Grant comments, “In 2014 we invested in a 2.5 tonne mini excavator and equipped it with an Engcon EC02 model tiltrotator. This dramatically changed the way we could work, as it meant we could dig trenches, spread top soil, and generally complete jobs in tighter restricted areas much easier.

As this work was generally carried out at residential properties and gardens, having the Engcon unit allowed us also to reduce manual tasks and the need for ground-workers. This improved productivity and safety and when we added it all together, we achieved a great return on investment. In fact, it took less than 18 months for the Engcon EC02 tiltrotator to pay for itself.”

Since its first Engcon purchase, G & J Groundworks has expanded to tackle larger projects, investing in an 8 tonne midi excavator equipped with an Engcon EC209 DC2 tiltrotator, Engcon Gripper Cassette and the EC-Oil system. It also uses a range of attachments including buckets, the Engcon lifting hook and its PP3200 vibrating compactor plate as Grant explains:
“The adoption of the Engcon system has removed a lot of back-breaking manual handling jobs around the site, such as lifting and placing individual kerbstones, laying pipes into trenches and generally moving large tools. We can also change from one attachment to the other without leaving the cab, which is a huge productivity and safety bonus.”

“One of the most successful attachment purchases has been the Engcon PP3200 compactor plate, which has proved to be invaluable. It removes the need to lift
in a vibrating wacker-plate and have ground worker standing in a trench and because the operator now controls this process there is no idle time whilst they wait to move onto the next section.

“Of course, with the Engcon EC-Oil system and twin-lock automatic coupling all controllable from inside the cab, this also means the operator can make the decision when to do different tasks, making the site run very smoothly.”

More investment for 2021
Grant added: “As our business continues to expand, in 2021 we have just invested in a 13-tonne machine and we had no hesitation in making the investment of adding an Engcon EC214 tiltrotator. The Case machine and Engcon tiltrotator were recently delivered as a combined effort by Hodge Plant and John Craig at JCC Group, going straight to work on site.”

“And regardless of buying our Engcon equipment directly from Engcon, machinery dealers or through John Craig, as Engcon dealer. John has always provided outstanding service, repairs and advice, as we trust his judgment when it comes to selecting the right model of tiltrotator and attachments to match our excavators and applications.”

Grant and Ivor have also noticed that once their customers’ have experienced its service with Engcon tiltrotators, the customers are increasingly specifying the use of tiltrotators within tender documents, so they are quickly becoming a must-have piece of equipment for groundworks and other construction projects.

View from the operator
Gordon Ballantyne is the dedicated operator on the new 13-tonne he added: “I’m fortunate to have not only the 13-tonne excavator at my disposal but two other machines fitted with Engcon tiltrotators. Each setup offers ease of use and allows me, and the rest of the qualified operators, to get all the tasks done without having to reposition the machine, which saves a lot of time, track wear and fuel.”

“And since we have been using Engcon tiltrotators, we very rarely need to resort to manually digging or shovelling material as the Engcon tiltrotators can do it
all. So, there is no need to wait around for tasks like trimming around manholes or digging around services to be completed. I also find the Engcon Mig 2 joystick controls very comfortable, and they have super-smooth proportional controls which I can adjust the sensitivity through the Engcon DC2 App on my smartphone.”

Grant concluded: “Our relationship with Engcon has had a very positive impact on our business as they provide us with cost-effective, strong, powerful and reliable tiltrotators. Its range of attachments also help us to deliver a safe, fast service, and their versatility helps to deliver our projects on time and budget; I would not hesitate in recommending Engcon Tiltrotators and hydraulic attachments to others in the construction industry.”