We’re only a month away from the Awesome Earthmovers Operator Challenge in association with JCB at PlantWorx 2025. Running from the 23rd to 25th of September at Newark Showgrounds. The challenge is completely free to enter but with limited spaces available, so make sure to head over to www.awesomeearthmovers.com and get registered.
We’ve another massive issue of the magazine to go along with the Operator Challenge with site visits globally ranging from a new JCB excavator in Suburban Sydney, Australia to a 4000 tonne relic of East Germany’s industrial past, as well as a huge wash plant operation in Louisiana, USA.
Our cover story focuses on Porteous Groundworks brand new Volvo EC260 fitted with Steelwrist X32 tiltrotor. The 35 tonne machine also features Leica 3D machine control and has been given a stunning look with a black and green wrap.
We called by to take a look at Bagger 1473 while in Germany. The Type SRs 1500 bucket wheel excavator also known as “The Blue Wonder” has been put to pasture in a field close to the former lignite mines it used to work. The 3850 tonne machine was built in 1964 and retired in 2002 with the intention of restoration as an industrial monument.
A visit to a new education campus construction project in Ireland has us meet a 77 year operator who has taken to using a Rototilt tiltrotator like a duck to water. Fred had started his operating career way back in 1969 on track loaders but has embraced tiltrotator technology since first trying out a Rototilt when he turned 70.
Collins Earthworks, one of the U.K’s leading contractors are celebrating their 25th anniversary. We take a look at what has driven their massive growth over the last quarter century from a small plant hire company to a behemoth with multiple divisions including transport, stabilisation, training, demolition, equipment sales, construction and quarrying.
Chris Maginnis
Editor