Dan Strawbridge, who runs landscaping operations in Devon, was looking for a new excavator; a single machine that could deal with the wide variety of tasks that landscaping involved, often within a single job. Dan met Molson Sales Manager Tristan Dorey at the Devon Show and he was impressed how he took the time to understand what he needed from his machine and provide the right solution.
Having started out on his own using just a chainsaw, Dan Strawbridge has been working as an agricultural, fencing and hedgelaying contractor for around a decade. Delivering projects around the Devon area, he has since taken on a four-day-a-week employee. He had also upgraded to an eight-tonne excavator and a 15-tonne machine to do the heavy lifting on land clearance and conservation jobs.
“This meant I could get more done,” Dan explains. “But it was a logistical nightmare trying to move these machines from one job to the next. Many of the sites I had to get to were down narrow lanes, which made transporting the 15-tonne machine a real challenge. Much of the work I do is also in small or conservation areas, which meant I couldn’t use the larger equipment for fear of damage.”
The solution was was a SK85MSR-7 Kobelco excavator, with a nine-tonne operating weight. The Kobelco excavator is powered by a YANMAR Stage V compliant engine, providing a 28% higher output and 15% shorter digging cycle time compared to previous models. In addition, the Kobelco excavator’s attachment modes mean the flow rate can be adjusted to suit different tools, making changes easier and allowing for immediate operation. This power and versatility means the excavator can complete any job that comes Dan’s way.
Compact enough to get onto site and work without damaging the ground, Dan’s Kobelco excavator is fitted with a two-piece boom, giving it a reach of around eight metres. Something he’d previously only achieved with the bigger 15-tonne model. With a loaded boom lifting speed that’s 38% higher than older models and an arm digging speed that’s increased by 37%, the new excavator gives him the efficiency needed to stay productive too.
“The Kobelco excavator ticks a lot of boxes for me,” Dan explains. “Switching to one machine has made things much easier logistically, especially on narrow roads and tight sites. Working in small or hard-to-reach locations is a big challenge, but with this machine, I get the same results as before but with less hassle. The SK85MSR-7 Kobelco excavator is much easier to move but still has the reach and power I need. Having one versatile machine helps me work more efficiently and take on a wider range of jobs.”
As the main operator of the machine, the comfort features of the Kobelco excavator’s cab were also important. An air suspension seat and rear air con help him maintain focus, while the lever angles, intuitive jog dial and LED backlights and switches make controlling the machine easy. Dan says, “I’m in the machine a lot and I can’t say anything other than I’m very happy with it.”
As a business owner, operator and customer service team combined, having after-sales support from Molson was also invaluable. He adds, “Tristan and the team have been great. The whole process with them was smooth. Even when I needed some extras for my Kobelco excavator, they were supplied without any fuss. I’d recommend Molson for their responsive service and making sure any size of customer gets exactly what they need.”
