Just the ticket
Gary Brown & Daughters is based in Felinfach near Lampeter, it primarily works on the preparation of land for replanting once the timber has been cleared for Government departments as well as private landowners across Wales.
For this niche application, Gary Brown & Daughters require compact tailswing excavators to allow them to move between the felled stumps without catching the machine, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Luckily JCB have just the machine for the job, the JCB 145XR which is designed to deliver the same performance as the conventional 140X, in a compact design with a 27% shorter tailswing.
Putting trust in JCB
When Gary Brown & Daughters needed a new compact tailswing excavator they cast their net a little wider than their existing manufacturer and decided to put their trust in a well-known brand in the agriculture industry – JCB.
The JCB 145XR reduced tailswing model builds on the success of JCB’s larger 245XR, delivering impressive performance in a compact design with a minimal counterweight swing. The 145XR’s ultra-tight slew radius makes it an ideal machine for working within confined job sites.
"We took a look at a variety of 14-plus-tonne machines and liked the build quality of the new JCB 145XR. I can't fault it. We got a good deal on it; it arrived on time and my operator likes it. As long as it's reliable and can stand up to the job we do, which I'm sure it will, I think we've got a great machine."
Gary Brown | Owner of Gary Brown & Daughters
An Xcellent first impression
Gary Brown and Daughters Operator Carwyn Williams has over ten years’ experience in the company’s specialised mounding work across the forests of Wales so was naturally a little surprised to hear that Gary had made the switch to JCB for their latest purchase.
It seems he is delighted with the result though, as he explains: “I was shocked that Gary would change brands. To be honest, I'm really pleased he has. The new JCB is a far superior machine to my old mount, far more comfortable with more space in the cab and a lot more powerful too.
“The JCB seems to manage the terrain far better than my last machine. For the day-to-day work we do, we don't want anything too wide, as we must fit in between the stumps. Wider tracks will ride up on the stumps if we're not careful and can easily be damaged or taken off. So far, I'm really liking the way the digger sits and while it's not the steepest of sites, it is very stable and the traction is excellent.”
Commanding cab
Operators can spend up to 8 hours a day in a machine, particularly when working in rugged landscapes this can be uncomfortable and tiring. JCB prides itself on the superior comfort of its world-leading CommandPlus cab so by investing in the JCB 145XR, Gary has put the comfort of his operators first.
Something which has been very much appreciated by his loyal employee, Carwyn: "I am very impressed with the space in the cab. My last machine had very little space behind the seat, which meant coats and bags were either on the floor or right behind my head, which wasn't great. I can put everything I need behind the seat and still have room left even with the seat right back."
The attention to detail and commitment to putting the operator first of the JCB product designers has not gone unnoticed by Carwyn, as he furthers: "I'm really happy with the machine. It's comfortable and powerful and seems to be on par for fuel with my old machine. The detail on the machine is excellent even down to the LED lighting in the engine and side compartments, which is a nice touch when you work in remote locations as we do."
The future is JCB
With the decision to switch to JCB with this purchase, Gary Brown has put his faith in a construction and agricultural powerhouse, famed for its world-leading quality and innovation. For this agricultural contractor then, the future looks as bright as the sunny yellow kit it is operating.