JH Landscape has recently taken delivery of a Kobelco ED160BR-7 Blade Runner crawler excavator from Molson Equipment, and it’s already proving its worth across a range of complex projects. Whether it’s grading out sports pitches or shifting material on conservation projects, the ED160 is saving time, reducing costs and adding flexibility to the team’s everyday work.
With over 34 years in the industry, JH Landscape has earned a reputation for delivering commercial landscaping projects with precision and care. Based in the West Midlands, the company specialises in constructing sports pitches and outdoor spaces for local authorities, schools and animal enclosures. More recently, they’ve applied the same skill set to a big domestic development.
Managing Director Joe Hayes explains: “We’ve been trading for over three decades now, and while we mainly focus on large commercial and sports projects, we do take on the occasional high-end domestic job too. It keeps things interesting.”
Dual function cuts staff and machine costs
Before investing in the Kobelco ED160 Blade Runner, Joe’s team regularly had to hire-in dozers and operators for grading tasks, which was both an expensive and time-consuming process. Since none of the team held dozer tickets, this meant paying not just for the machine but also for a specialist operator. “That was one of the biggest drivers for us,” says Joe. “We’re all ticketed on excavators, but not dozers. So, when we saw the Blade Runner crawler excavator, a machine that could do both it made perfect sense.”
The Kobelco ED160BR-7 crawler excavator is a unique solution for businesses like JH Landscape. It has a unique 6-way dozer blade and a combination of the upper structure found on the compact radius SK140SRLC-7 model, mounted on a robust undercarriage that features components commonly fitted to a 21-tonne undercarriage. Together they deliver unmatched stability, control and versatility on site. It also comes with an Isuzu 4-cylinder engine which increases output by 10% compared to the previous model, making this crawler excavator the perfect hybrid, allowing operators to dig, grade, lift and shift with equal confidence.
Built for solid responsive performance
“The undercarriage is one of the standout features,” says Joe. “It gives the machine a real solid stance. You feel it when pushing material, especially when you’re working on uneven terrain.”
Operator Pawel Swietek adds: “You can tell the machine is well built. It feels solid, responsive and comfortable to operate. And if there’s ever anything we need, the Molson support team are there straight away.”
Originally approaching Molson to discuss a second-hand model, Joe was surprised to find that the residual value of used machines meant the cost difference between new and used was relatively small. With strong backup support and finance options on the table, the decision to buy new was easy.
Crawler excavator delivers best of both worlds
Pawel agrees: “It’s the best of both worlds, a top-quality crawler excavator with dozer capabilities. I can go from piling or trenching straight into final trim grading without switching machines. It’s smooth, accurate and saves us loads of time.”
The machine’s dozer blade features a built-in float function, which is great for fine laser grading. Whether trimming sports pitch sub-bases, or levelling stone for enclosures, Pawel can achieve precise results without the need for additional kit. “The float mode is great for final trims especially when we’re working to tight tolerances,” he adds.
The Blade Runner crawler excavator deliver serious pushing power thanks to the high-torque track motors, making light work of tough ground. The curved track design allows for smoother turning with less surface damage, which is a big advantage when working on sensitive areas or near finished surfaces.
Doing more with less
In a business where margins are tight and logistics can make or break a job, reducing the number of machines on site is a major win. “It’s just a more efficient way of working,” Joe says. “We’re a small team and being able to do more with less is massive for us. We don’t need to call in extra machines or people. The Blade Runner crawler excavator handles it all.”
The buying process through Molson was straightforward and professional for Joe. “It was a big investment for us, no question, but the team at Molson made it easy. They talked us through our options, helped with the finance, and the after sales support has been spot on.”
With the Blade Runner wheeled excavator now an essential part of the fleet, Joe and the team are already seeing the benefits in both productivity and profitability. “We’re saving money, working faster and getting better results. It’s hard to argue with that.”
Molson offers a full range of Kobelco machines designed for construction, landscaping, and specialist applications. The ED160 Blade Runner crawler excavator is just one example of how hybrid functionality can unlock new efficiencies for forward-thinking contractors.
