Plant News
COMPACT HD HYUNDAI EXCAVATOR JOINS B JEFFREY FLEET
B Jeffrey Construction, a leading civil engineering contractor based in York, has taken its first HD Hyundai HX48Az midi excavator from local dealer Taylor & Braithwaite. The company also operates two HX85A compact machines, two 14-tonne HX140A L excavators, an HX210A L and an HX220A L.
“We purchased our first HX140A L in 2022 and the operator loved it. The machine was just so stable,” said Director David Jeffrey.
“The Hyundais are quicker than our previous machines and they seem to be much better on fuel as well.”
The company had been operating equipment from a competitor for some years, but rising purchase costs and unreliable back-up pushed B Jeffrey Construction to seek an alternative supplier. With a growing fleet of machinery and job sites across the North of England and beyond, having reliable parts and service were critical to the contractor.
HD Hyundai HX48Az midi excavator working on a B Jeffrey Construction site.
“We looked at three companies initially, Hitachi, Doosan and Hyundai,” said Mr Jeffrey.
“I went to see them all and to look at their machines. We were very impressed with Taylor & Braithwaite. Their workshops were particularly impressive, which is important to us.”
The business was formed by David’s father Brian Jeffrey in 1987, working with a single machine in groundworks. Much of the firm’s early work was for the City of York Council and York-based Rowntree Housing Trust and, as it grew steadily, David joined the business in 1989. His brother John Jeffrey, a civil engineering graduate, came onboard in 1997 and he is now Managing Director of the company.
Over the years, the company has focussed its attentions on groundworks, roads and sewer packages and civil engineering projects. Yorkshire Water has been a major customer for more than 25 years. Over that time the fleet has developed, from compact 7 and 8-tonne excavators through to the current 22-tonne Hyundais.
With a full time staff of 30, backed by a group of trusted subcontractors, B Jeffrey has established itself as a leading player in the civil engineering business around York and Yorkshire. The company is prepared to travel further afield too and will work anywhere to look after its client base. Finding qualified staff remains a concern however.
“If we get a tender request, we’ll price for it,” said Mr Jeffrey. “Our only concern is that we haven’t got enough groundworks staff on site.”
The company’s plant fleet also has to earn its keep and the HX48Az offers versatility and performance in a compact package. Launched earlier this year, the 5-tonne machine is powered by a frugal 29.1kW (39hp) Stage V diesel engine. The machine has been equipped with a Strickland S-Lock quickhitch by Taylor & Braithwaite and it has been supplied with an optional four-way adjustable dozer blade, making it far more versatile than a stabiliser for heavy lifting.
The comfortable full-size cab has plenty of room for the operator and the machine uses a new 5” full colour LCD display to monitor all operating functions. Operators can adjust hydraulic attachment flow through the digital display, to improve performance and tailor the machine to the task.
Though equipped with a zero tailswing counterweight design, the HX48Az has wide opening access doors to the rear and to the right-hand side. For more in-depth maintenance work, the entire cab structure can be tilted to allow access to components. While B Jeffrey Construction does have its own service team, the company relies on the dealer while the machines are under warranty.
“They are under warranty for two years, so we use Taylor & Braithwaite’s fitters initially,” said Mr Jeffrey. “We get a really personal service from them if we need any back-up.”
The company tends to keep its machinery for up to five years and it continues to replace older models with new HD Hyundai machines.
“We’re not moving away from Hyundai. The service we get from Taylor & Braithwaite is second to none,” said Mr Jeffrey.
View PlantClassifieds YouTube Channel.
Please send us your newsworthy plant hire press releases. To find out more, please see the benefits of posting your press release on PlantClassifieds.
COMPACT HD HYUNDAI EXCAVATOR JOINS B JEFFREY FLEET B Jeffrey Construction, a leading civil engineering contractor based in York, has taken its first HD Hyundai HX48Az midi excavator from local dealer Taylor & Braithwaite. The company also operates two HX85A compact machines, two 14-tonne HX140A L excavators, an HX210A L and an HX220A L. “We […]
AG Wilson adds to its fleet with more SANY excavators AG Wilson Civil Engineering, a family-owned civil engineering contractor, based in Co Armagh, Ireland has taken delivery of a further three 24-tonne SANY excavators this month. The order has been supplied by SANYs Irish dealer, Sleator Plant and will join an existing fleet of SANY […]
New Cat® Grading Beams for Cat Tiltrotators allow contractors to take on dynamic and efficient grading and compaction work using excavators Versatile new Cat® Grading Beams deliver high productivity material grading Adjustable roller height adapts to material type and desired compaction levels High-abrasion-resistant wear material delivers long frame life A range of grading beam widths […]
Here is a brief history of how Pier UK Ltd became the largest vacuum excavation contractor in Europe Origins and Early Years Pier UK Ltd was founded in 2001 by Sean Quinn as a civil engineering and drainage company in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside. In 2008, the company hired its first vacuum excavator after seeing the safety […]
WORK began yesterday (June 4th) on a new $500 million JCB factory in North America – the biggest-ever investment in the company’s history. The start of construction was signalled at an official ground-breaking ceremony at the site in San Antonio, Texas, where Alice Bamford, daughter of company Chairman Anthony Bamford, cut the first sod of […]
An HD Hyundai HX235A LCR crawler excavator has become something of an internet sensation, while working on improvements to the Dore and Totley train station near Sheffield. Part of the Hope Valley Railway network, the station is having its second platform rebuilt after more than 30 years of service, with the installation of a new […]
ENERGY SECRETARY INSPIRED BY JCB’S HYDROGEN ENGINE INNOVATION The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho MP, paid a visit to JCB to see for herself the progress being made by the British manufacturer of construction equipment and agricultural machinery on decarbonisation using hydrogen combustion engine technology. The Energy Secretary’s […]
New Cat® Hydraulic Connecting CW couplers for excavators deliver fast and safe attachment changes with less spillage Operators can trade out attachments within seconds from the cab Internally routed hoses protect against damage, reducing costs Compatible with any Cat® hydraulic attachment Building on decades of field success with the CW coupler platform, Caterpillar announces three […]
PD DEVELOPMENTS ADDS FIRST WHEELED MACHINE TO FLEET Manchester-based groundworks and civil engineering specialist contractor PD Developments, led by Damian O’Grady and Paul Lackey, has enhanced its operational capabilities with the addition of an HD Hyundai Construction Equipment HW150A CR wheeled excavator to its growing fleet of equipment. The machine is the company’s first wheeled […]
SANY UK are looking forward to their return to Hillhead next month where they will showcase a wide range of machines, both on their static stand display and in the working demonstration areas. With a new, larger and more prominent stand location (X1) in front of the quarry face demonstration zone, visitors will be able […]
