From laying concrete to clearing forestry tracks, the team at Dave Hockin Plant Hire takes on just about everything across the Southwest. So, when it came time to add another excavator to the fleet, they needed something tough, compact, and comfortable for long days on site. Their pick? One of the Kobelco SK75SR-7 compact excavators from Molson
Versatile Machines Get the Job Done
Based in Devon, Dave Hockin Plant Hire covers the Southwest, from Bristol down to the tip of Cornwall. Whether it’s groundwork, tarmac, agriculture or forestry, they’ve built a reputation for turning up, cracking on, and getting the job done. The machines they run need to be just as versatile as the team operating them.
Operator Alex Coates explains it best: “We do a bit of everything. So, we need machines that can keep up work in tight sites, rough ground, long days. That’s why these Kobelco compact excavators stood out straight away.”
Before adding the SK75SR-7, the team had been on the lookout for compact excavators that had enough power to tackle tough work, but were still small and agile enough to work on tight access tracks. And with operators like Alex spending 8 to 12 hours a day in the cab, comfort wasn’t optional.
All-Day Operator Comfort
“It’s the little things that make a big difference,” says Alex. “Having the cab from the 14-tonne model in these compact excavators makes such a difference. It’s roomy, the visibility is spot on, and everything’s where you want it. When you’re in there all day, that stuff matters.”
The SK75SR-7 compact excavators are full of features that make life easier on site. The short radius design means it can slew and dig in tighter spaces without sticking out too far. This makes it ideal for some of the more awkward rural or urban jobs they take on.
Mono Boom Enhances Visibility
One of the key features that made the SK75SR-7 a great fit for Dave Hockin Plant Hire is the mono boom, which comes as standard. This is mounted to the machine to the side of the cab, creating better visibility down the line, making it easier to see what you’re doing and where you’re digging. This makes the SK75 compact excavators very well-balanced machines that are perfectly suited to lifting and digging on uneven ground, something the team regularly faces across agricultural and forestry sites.
With a maximum bucket digging force of 60.3kN, the SK75SR-7 compact excavators deliver serious breakout power in a remarkably small footprint. The mono boom also has fewer pins and hydraulic connections than an offset boom, which means less wear and tear over time and fewer parts to maintain, making it ideal for a hire fleet where reliability is everything. Its slim design helps keep the machine well-balanced and manoeuvrable, especially in tight spaces where access is limited but performance still matters.
Punchy Power
But it’s not just about comfort and control; it’s quick too. The SK75SR-7 runs a punchy 44.3kW Stage V Yanmar engine, giving it plenty of power for the kind of tough digging and lifting the team takes on every day. It’s matched with a smooth, responsive hydraulic system that makes everything feel faster and easier, from digging and grading to running attachments like breakers or grabs.
This combination of power and precision means quicker cycle times, less fuel burned, and more work done in less time. For a hire fleet covering everything from forestry to farm work, it’s exactly what you want: strong, efficient, and easy to rely on. “We’re getting through jobs quicker,” Alex says. “It’s got more power, but it’s also smoother and easier to handle. And that saves time and money.”
Alex also pointed out how responsive these compact excavators feel. “You don’t need to fight it. You’ve got the control when you need it, but it doesn’t feel heavy or sluggish. It just flows.”
Peace of Mind as Standard
The machine was supplied by Molson Equipment, who have worked with the team on other bits of kit in the past. This time was no different; quick, easy and no messing about. “Dealing with Molson was spot on,” Alex says. “From order to delivery, it was all smooth. No chasing, no delays.”
The SK75SR-7 might be classed with Kobelco’scompact excavators, but it’s definitely built like a bigger machine. From the high-spec cab to the tough steel body and upgraded engine, it feels solid and dependable. And when you’re working out in the middle of nowhere, that peace of mind goes a long way.
It’s this balance of size, power, and comfort that made the machine such a good fit for the team. Whether they’re laying concrete, clearing forestry land, or working in tight access sites, the SK75SR-7 has proved itself to be a go-to machine.
“I wouldn’t want to go back to anything else now,” says Alex with a grin. “It’s just a really nice bit of kit.”
The team at Dave Hockin Plant Hire know their machines, and they don’t add something new to the fleet unless it makes sense. With the SK75SR-7 compact excavators, they’ve found a machine that ticks all the boxes, from comfort to capability, so they know it will always be ready for whatever job comes next.
