MAKING IT'S MARK

A family run groundworks company covering the South East of England from their base near Gravesend in Kent, Hooper and Sons Ltd recently added a new Kobelco SK270SRNLC-7 to their fleet and it is already making a positive impact on the business, improving efficiency and productivity

Specialising in all aspects of groundwork from conception to completion, including all types of drainage, foundations, brickwork, as well as hard and soft landscaping, and demolition work, the company depends heavily on the durability and reliability of its plant and machinery which is why the Kobelco brand features prominently in their 15 strong excavator fleet.

The new SK270SRNLC-7 joins four other Kobelco machines, including an older 2017 SK270 machine which has served the company well over the past seven years and is still going strong – and that is one major reason why they invested in this latest model, that and the fact the company have to cope with an ever growing demand from customers in the residential, commercial and agricultural sectors.

One of the Managing Directors, John Hooper, says the company was started by his father in 1972, and together with his brother Richard, they have worked over the years to build the business into a reputable groundwork contractor. “Since taking the business over in 2008, we have worked hard to grow our reputation and build our team, which we are incredibly proud of. Without our team, we would be nothing and they are all considered part of the Hooper family.”

Over those years, the company have increased their plant and machinery and recently moved into a new office building. Customers are the heart of the business which works with all kinds of people from those that need help with their homes, to councils, developers and business owners – and they place great store on top leading brands such as Kobelco.

“All our Kobelco machines have served us well, and this new SK270SRNLC-7 is already exceeding our expectations; our operators love everything about the excavator, which we have matched up with a Rototilt tiltrotator, making it even more versatile and efficient,” says John.

Other specified extras on the new SK270SRNLC-7 include a dozer blade and additional counterweight to allow for the tiltrotator, plus a two piece boom, a boxing ring and a new LED lighting package. “Other than that, we didn’t require anything more as the Kobelco comes with pretty much everything else you would want from an excavator.”

SMOOTH OPERATOR

When we visited Hooper and Sons to see the Kobelco SK270SRNLC-7 in action, it was fitted with a grab to process material ready for crushing to be used on some of the company’s many projects across the region.

“So far, we are very impressed with its performance,” says John. “It’s very smooth, with plenty of power when needed, together with great lifting capacity. It is doing everything it says on the tin, so to speak – and the new cab is brilliant, especially for someone of a larger build like myself, as it offers lots of space, with excellent visibility.

“Much of our work is carried out on sites that are small with restricted access and the Kobelco SK270SRNLC-7 is more than proving its worth on these projects. The base model comes in at around 28 tonnes, but with the dozer blade, tiltrotator and additional counterweight, our machine is sitting at about 33 tonnes. That said, it is more compact and easier to manoeuvre than the 21 tonne SK210, and fuel economy is fantastic, given the size of the excavator.”

Powered by a Yanmar Stage V compliant engine, which has a higher torque value, it is possible to achieve a superior balance between engine output and torque that contributes to a more efficient performance than the previous models.

Attachments can be changed quickly and easily. The auxiliary flow rates for the bucket, breaker, nibbler, and rotating grapple are all now adjustable by the operator through the monitor, and mode settings for other attachments like the tilt rotator can be added or changed.

This new Kobelco SK270SRNLC-7 has been an invaluable addition to the fleet, offering everything you want or need in an excavator…

As we mentioned, the operators are very happy with the handling and performance of the SK270SRNLC-7. Among its many standard features is a Grammer seat, which achieves excellent shock absorption and superior ride comfort, while a multi vent air conditioning system enables cool air to be blown from multiple outlets toward the operator’s body for even more comfortable operation.

The operator can move levers horizontally without twisting their wrists, thereby reducing fatigue and a newly upgraded hydraulic control system responds to shorter lever strokes than previous models, delivering swifter, more precise movement and improved lever operability, while interior lights turn on and off automatically when the door is open or the ignition is turned to the OFF position, ensuring safe entry and exit in the dark.

A high-resolution, large display shows right, left and rear side cameras together, with multiple displays allowing the operator to customise viewing needs to enhance awareness of the work surroundings – and a large 10-inch colour monitor offers an easy-to-operate menu and recognisable icons to assist the operator to select the most important information needed to ensure jobsite safety and machine control, while a jog dial integrates multiple functions into a single, easy to use interface. Even with gloves on, the operator can make the adjustments they need, with new dials and buttons now backlit to provide a bright, clear view in any lighting condition.

EXCELLENT DEALER SUPPORT

“So, yes,” says John, “this new Kobelco SK270SRNLC-7 has been an invaluable addition to our fleet, offering us everything we want or need in an excavator. What’s not to like about it? And as for the service and support we get from the Molson Group who supply our Kobelco machines, it is excellent. We have a great relationship with the dealer who looks after us very well. If ever there are any issues, they are normally out on site within a few hours. I cannot fault them; they are very professional and are easy to deal with.”