JOG Contractors in West Sussex has bought its first Bobcat compact excavators. JOG has bought six Bobcats, including the first new E17 excavator in the UK as well as E32 and E85 models.
Three of the excavators are working together on their first project, a new residential development in West Sussex.
Managing director Owen O’Grady, who set up JOG Contractors in 2009, said: “The E17 is a very competitive 1.7 tonne product, providing much more for less money than most 1.5 tonne machines on the market. This is illustrated by a maximum digging depth of 2249 mm and maximum reach at ground level of 3871 mm, complemented by compact overall dimensions, with easy transportability further enhanced by new tie-down points.”
He added: “Over the years, I have regularly used Bobcat machines from rental companies, but it was the performance of a Bobcat E80 model, the predecessor to the E85, that I used on a job 18 months ago that was a key factor in deciding to purchase the Bobcat brand for our fleet renewal. I was also impressed by the fast response and service offered by [dealer] Bobcat of London.”
He continued: “We find the E85 a more useful machine on our site than bigger 13-tonners as the arm can be offset for digging, which you can’t do on the bigger machines. Overall we can carry out more work than with a 13-tonner and we use a lot less fuel. The E32 is also an ideal machine for the smaller drainage jobs on site where we need a more compact machine and high precision.”