Doubling down
When you’ve worked in forestry as long as Callum Dyckes, you learn what makes the right machine for the task. As the Managing Director of CD Forestry & Environmental Ltd, Callum brings years of hands-on experience to every job. From wetland restoration to highway vegetation clearance, he needs machines he can trust in the most demanding conditions.
But it’s not just about performance. The overall feel of the machine, how intuitive it is to operate, and the comfort it provides all matter just as much. And with the purchase of a second JCB 150X HD tracked excavator, Callum is doubling down on the full operator experience.
Spec'd to perfection
Callum knows his work inside and out. His company specialises in forestry and environmental services across the UK, often in remote or challenging locations. His first 150X HD proved so capable that he returned to JCB for another.
The 150X HD is all about capability. Thanks to its reinforced undercarriage, it can operate with wide steel tracks that reduce ground pressure. That’s perfect for wetlands and soft ground, where heavier machines would usually need bog mats or risk getting stuck.
The new machine has also been tailored to his work with a triple articulated boom, Engcon EC219 tiltrotator, factory-fitted underbelly guarding and a powerful lighting package for night work on the highways. It’s built to get the job done with no fuss and no compromises – just peak performance.
“A lot of the work I do requires wide tracks and the JCB 150X HD’s strong undercarriage lets me use 1150mm steel pads without any changes. The overall spec is excellent and it has the comfort, power and lift capacity I need.”
Callum Dyckes | Managing Director of CD Forestry & Environmental Ltd
Comfortable and clever
Inside, the JCB CommandPlus cab sets the standard for operator comfort. It’s quiet, spacious and easy to see out of, with seating and controls designed for long hours on site. But the addition of JCB’s new UX interface has taken that comfort to a new level.
Callum explains: “The new UX system makes a great machine even better to operate. The layout is simple and the touchscreen is a great addition. It’s easy to adjust the machine to how I like to work.”
The JCB UX system is designed around the operator. It features a 10-inch colour touchscreen, updated switch controls and a new rotary dial to make everything quicker and easier to access. Operators can set up their own profiles, save attachment settings and create custom shortcuts for daily tasks.
With up to 25 user profiles and space for 15 attachment settings, it’s easy to switch between different operators or jobs without losing time adjusting settings. There’s also keyless start, an easy-to-use media hub, and options to answer calls through the screen.
Physical controls for air conditioning and volume are still in place for convenience, but most functions can now be controlled through the touchscreen. It’s modern, but it doesn’t try to overcomplicate things.
More than just a machine
For Callum, the second JCB 150X HD is more than just another excavator. It’s a combination of experience, comfort and smart technology that helps him get the job done, whatever the site demands.
By investing in a second machine with the latest updates, CD Forestry & Environmental is showing that operator experience matters. Not just in terms of comfort, but in how the machine feels, responds and performs every day on the job.