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The North of Scotland is famed for some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the United Kingdom yet this stunning scenery does throw up challenges for those working in its unforgiving terrain and adverse weather conditions.
Based in Dingwall in the Scottish Highlands, the company was founded by Ross Durdle ten years ago. Initially a sole trader the team is now five strong, working on contracts with WM Donald in Aberdeenshire, Lovat Farms in Inverness-shire, Corrie Construction in Fortwilliam, Wyvis Plant Ltd in Strathpeffer, Gow Groundworks in Caithness and Bear Scotland.
JCB at the core
As a proud family-owned business, JCB truly values relationships with longstanding customer businesses with JCB machinery at their core. This can certainly be said of Durdle Contracting which runs a largely JCB fleet and whose JCB history goes back generations.
“My father had two Fastracs, two 3CX backhoe loaders and a 3C MKII so I was brought up with them. At the moment I have one JCB Fastrac 4220 iCON, a JCB 220X X Series excavator and a JCB Loadall and I’m looking to possibly buy another Fastrac soon. The Fastrac is perfect for our line of work. It is extremely comfortable, reliable and very reasonably priced for what it can do. Scot JCB is only 5 minutes from us and are on hand 24/7. If ever we need them they are there within the hour.”
Ross Durdle | Durdle Contracting Director
Year-round versatility
As an agricultural contractor Durdle Contracting requires machinery that is versatile and can turn its hand to a broad range of tasks. Similarly, it requires equipment that is robust and durable and can stand up to the toughest challenges and unforgiving landscapes.
The JCB Fastrac is built on productivity and superior machine control, making it the perfect tractor for all work applications. A configurable operator environment and ISOBUS compatibility makes changing between implements even easier and with five separate locations for attachments it is the ultimate multi-tasker.
As Ross Durdle said: "We use the JCB Fastrac for pulling a low loading trailer or 20-tonne dump trailers for site work. We also use it for gritting and snow-clearing for winter maintenance, with a road brush or road grader or for carting grain and cultivating so it does a lot of different tasks for us throughout the year.
"We like it because of its speed on the road, the comfort and it offers excellent visibility. All of the settings are easy to access and it does what it says on the tin. The performance is excellent - second to none. All of my feedback is positive when it comes to the Fastrac. I have nothing negative to say. Every agricultural contractor should have a Fastrac in their fleet."
With a maximum speed of up to 60kph the Fastrac can move between jobs quickly and securely, the 6-cylinder engine provides a generous supply of power up to 235hp and CVT transmission ensures optimum use of power and torque for seamless power delivery.
On the Fastrac to success
With a number of high-profile contracts in the pipeline building distillery warehouses and preparing ground for a 400-house development site, there’s no doubt Durdle Contracting is on the ‘Fastrac’ to success.