A POWERHOUSE UP NORTH

An upgrade project at Dore and Totley train station isn’t just popular with rail passengers. It’s now gaining fame on Instagram thanks to the skills of a Story operator and a Hyundai HX235ACR supplied by rental business Waitings through the Story Plant Hire Desk.

Improvements to the Hope Valley Railway network will help passengers move across northern England smoothly and quickly. As part of these upgrades, Dore and Totley train station near Sheffield is having its second platform rebuilt after more than 30 years. The work is being completed as part of a joint venture between Volker Rail and Story Contracting.

Starting in May 2022, the work includes the installation of a new overbridge, tracks, signals and other infrastructure such as lifts and CCTV pillars. With the station car park operating as the project base, space is restricted. So, any machinery needs to be able to perform multiple tasks efficiently in a crowded area.

DANNY DAVIS OPERATOR Story Contracting

The quality equipment and operators Waitings supplies made the plant hire business a choice partner for Story Contracting on this job. As the Instagram reels of machine operator Danny Davis (a.k.a. @goldenlevers) show, his skills and the features of the Hyundai HX235ACR excavator didn’t disappoint.

A-GRADE EFFICIENCY

Designed to be a powerful all-rounder, the Hyundai HX235ACR supplied by Waitings was fitted with a two-piece boom and rubber track pads. The boom is also centred which, combined with a sturdy undercarriage, gives the machine extra stability when moving on uneven surfaces or lifting heavy loads.

The Cummins B6.7 engine is also designed for maximum reliability. Giving a third more torque than the previous model, the single-module construction is easier for teams to maintain. These features mean the machine can easily perform a range of tasks in the space-restricted yard. This includes loading and unloading lorries, pouring concrete or going out on track for night maintenance.

Danny explains why the machine is such an asset on site. “The particular features that make the machine ideal for this job are the new A-series frame design, purely for its lifting capabilities,” he explains. “The platform units are precast concrete and weigh around five to six tonnes each. The Hyundai lifts them with ease. It also lands them with amazing precision as the controls are very minute when you need them to be.”

INSTA-WORTHY PRECISION

Having operated excavators for around six years, Danny likes to put the machines he uses through their paces. The Hyundai HX235AlCR is no exception. He’s fully tested features such as the Electronic Pump Flow Control (EPFC) and new lifting mode. From manoeuvring in the snow to laying aggregates in tight spots, this model’s high-end technologies make finer movements possible.

When in the hands of a quality operator like Danny, the excavator can perform a range of tasks efficiently. Even on this site, where space is restricted. As Danny explains “The machine is a beast. Its zero slew means it can get to very tight places smoothly. I can easily navigate around the site compound with no worries.”

This level of precision also makes Danny’s Instagram videos of the machine exciting for viewers to watch. With high-grade hydraulic hoses, a cooling module and new wear-resistant materials on the bucket, the excavator can also run for task after task (or take after take) without its performance being affected.

DAY-TO-DAY SAFETY

With workers and vehicles moving about constantly on a small site, keeping each individual and asset safe requires extra support. The Hyundai excavator has specific technologies to help operators move in their surroundings without danger. This includes Advanced Around View Monitoring (AAVM), Intelligent Moving Object Detection (IMOD) and electronic swing parking system controls.

However, as Danny explains, it’s not just the safety features of the Hyundai model that help keep everyone protected: “The AAVM lets me know when people are moving around me on the LCD touch screen. So, I can see if someone is coming into my crush zone. The cab is also very comfy, you can easily do 12-hour shifts in it.”

By putting skilled operators in quality machinery like the Hyundai HX235ACR, Waitings helps partners like Story deliver their projects safely and efficiently. As Rosie Harmison, Project Agent for the VolkerRailStory joint venture explains, “We have a good working relationship with Waitings. We’ve used them for a long time.

Machines are always delivered on time to the required specifications and the operators are fully competent in the work they do.”