The first low ground pressure ‘bog’ spec’d Takeuchi excavators in Ireland are now being employed on a major peatland restoration scheme being undertaken in County Antrim by RSPB NI in partnership with NI Water and supported by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency’s Peatland Challenge Fund, part of the Shared Island Initiative Peatland Programme.

Peatland habitats are a cornerstone of Northern Ireland’s ecosystem, covering 12% of land in the region, and providing critical services for people, species and the climate. These unique environments function as natural water reservoirs, effectively mitigating flood risks. Beyond this, they also act as natural filters, enhancing water quality by removing pollutants.

Awesome Earthmovers recently travelled to a Special Protection Area at Springwell Farm located within the Garron Plateau in the Antrim Hills to see three specially modified nine tonne Takeuchi TB290-2 excavators and a modified five tonne Takeuchi TB250-2, all fitted with Rototilt tiltrotators, at work on the extensive peatland site where the soft terrain presents a number of challenges for both men and machines.

The Garron Plateau supports important flora and fauna including hen harrier, curlew, golden plover, dunlin, red grouse, otter, Irish hare and large heath butterfly, and has a rich vascular plant interest which includes marsh saxifrage. Many peatland sites have seen damage historically from drainage, erosion, fire, and peat extraction by hand and by machine over many years and RSPB NI is working to restore sites like Springwell Farm, promoting biodiversity, rebuilding resilient ecosystems, and creating conditions for long-term ecological recovery.

The restoration process involves raising the water table to support the recovery of natural hydrology of degraded areas and re-establishing native vegetation, which helps combat climate change by increasing carbon storage and preventing erosion.

Techniques include building dams and bunds to block drainage ditches, and re-profiling peat faces, which is where the Takeuchi excavators with their tiltrotators are proving their worth. They were supplied and delivered by Newry headquartered dealers Alan Milne Tractors, while Rototilt’s Donegal based authorised distributor Construction Plant Services (CPS) fitted the RC3 tiltrotators and carried out the undercarriage modifications.

Countryside & Land Management Services (CLMS) is the contracting arm of RSPB NI, delivering high-quality environmental works for external clients on a not-for-profit basis. All income generated by CLMS is reinvested directly into RSPBNI, helping to fund vital conservation initiatives across the UK.

At Springwell Farm, the CLMS Machinery Team are delivering the peatland restoration works and by utilising the Takeuchi excavators fitted with tiltrotators, the team is able to carry out precise and efficient restoration works.

Extremely Low Ground Pressure

Commented Declan McGowan of CPS: “To ensure the machines could operate safely and successfully on the soft terrain of the peatland, we lengthened the undercarriages of the three nine tonne machines to 4.2 metres and widened the standard pads to 1650mm, so the machines now sit at 14 feet wide, resulting in a ground pressure of just 1.2 psi.

“Offset polymer pads from FF Polymers in Donegal were fitted to the five tonne TB250-2. At 875mm, they were better suited to a machine of this size and meant that we didn’t have to carry out any modifications to the standard undercarriage.”

The RC3 tiltrotators fitted by CPS to each of the excavators are also proving to be invaluable. Designed for compact excavators weighing between 6-12 tonnes, the RC3’s, despite their low weight, can withstand a breakout torque of up to 85 kNm and a working pressure of up to 25 MPa.

Rototilt’s QuickChange feature allows operators to switch out hydraulic tools without the need to leave the cab, while the SecureLock safety lock, included as standard, maximises safety by warning the operator if the tool is not correctly locked.

“THEY CAN ACCOMPLISH A LOT OF THE WORK FROM THE ONE SPOT, WHICH ALSO SAVES TIME AND EFFORT .”

Rototilts Invaluable Addition

Andrew Gallagher, RSPB NI’s CLMS Machinery Manager, is full of praise for the Rototilt tiltrotators. “They are essential for this type of work where we are seeking to create as little ground and wildlife disturbance as possible. With the tiltrotator’s rotating functions, coupled with the long reach of the Takeuchi machines, our operators don’t have to keep re-positioning the excavator; they can accomplish a lot of the work from the one spot, which also saves time and effort.”

This has been the first time Andrew has used a tiltrotator, but he says with help, training and support from CPS he and the other operators quickly mastered the controls which he found very user friendly and effective.

Andrew added: “Product support is also essential. That is why we selected these suppliers for this project.”

Commented Ross Milne: “Declan McGowan and his team at CPS did an incredible job in bringing the Takeuchi excavators up to bog spec. These are the manufacturer’s first bog spec’d machines in Ireland, although Takeuchi have supplied similar spec’d machines to customers in England and Scotland.

“While the modified undercarriages are much bigger than standard, the machines are still using the original track motors, which is testament to the strength of the Takeuchi’s, and at 1650mm, the pads are possibly the widest on a nine-tonne digger.

A big thank you to the RSPB NI for the vote of confidence in the Takeuchi brand.”

Rigorous Tendering Process

The four machines, supplied with Takeuchi’s standard three year / 3000 hr warranty and benefiting from a five-year fleet management package from Alan Milne Tractors, are the first Takeuchi excavators in the RSPB’s commercial machinery fleet - and they haven’t disappointed.

The Takeuchi machines were acquired through a rigorous tendering process and were specifically bought for the peatland restoration project. “We operate in challenging conditions where low ground pressure machines are essential,” says RSPB NI’s Andrew Gallagher.

The excavators are sitting at 1.2psi – compared to a standard excavator’s 10 psi or more. Because the weight of the machines is spread across a larger surface area, they exert minimal pressure on the ground, allowing them to operate in soft, unstable, or environmentally sensitive areas without getting bogged down or causing excessive soil disturbance.

“To put that in context, if I climbed out of the cab, I would sink down into the ground by six inches or more as the average person comes in at 8 psi or more,” explains Andrew. “But the Takeuchi excavators are unbelievably stable given the soft terrain. They are well built, have plenty of power and offer our operators an excellent working environment.”

That’s thanks to a spacious and comfortable cab, with good all-round visibility, a large interactive multi-information colour display, wide-angle colour rear-view camera with auto-reverse activation display, a fully adjustable deluxe heated high-back air suspension seat, adjustable arm rests and heated drinks holder, and air con with climate control system.

Excellent Service & Support

“We received good recommendations from other Takeuchi and Rototilt operators, and following their successful tendering process, Ross Milne and Declan at CPS delivered exactly what we needed,” says Andrew.

It has been the first time RSPB NI has dealt with Alan Milne Tractors who have been Takeuchi dealers in Northern Ireland for over 25 years, and since becoming authorised Rototilt dealers Construction Plant Services have proved to be a reliable partner for Takeuchi in providing customers with the perfect tiltrotator package.

“It has been a very positive experience. Both dealers have been very supportive, and work well together as a team. We enjoy great interaction with the dealers and excellent ongoing service and back-up; they are only ever a phone call away should we need them,” says Andrew.

Once he and his team complete work on this particular site, they - and the Takeuchi excavators - will move on to other peatland restoration sites as part of the Shared Island Initiative Peatland Programme.