31 January 2024
A prescription for success
A modified JCB X Series tracked excavator is bringing surgical precision for a leading Scottish construction firm - as piling operations replace medical ones on a former hospital site.
Established in 2003, Akela Group's 300-strong team provides civil engineering, construction, property development and training solutions to the private and public sector.
Its Akela Ground Engineering division has built an impressive track record and reputation for delivering specialist geotechnical projects including substructures, underpinning, and piling for residential and commercial building projects.
With several conventional JCB X Series tracked excavator models already performing in its equipment fleet, JCB was the natural choice when they needed a special addition for piling and foundation work.
Pile driver
Akela has now invested in a JCB 220X, a 360 excavator base machine fitted with a BSP-TEX Ltd JX25-8 piling rig. This innovative combination results in a mobile, self-erecting, 28-tonne piling rig capable of driving steel, wood, or concrete piles up to 8 metres in length.
This unique machine has been commissioned to work on a major new build residential housing project - the construction of 10 blocks of flats and 160 houses on the former Ruchill Hospital site near the centre of Glasgow. The JCB powered rig is laying the foundations for these new homes.
It's a good machine for this type of application, as it's just the right size and weight and packs a powerful, productive punch. We also need to operate with the door and windows shut, so the quiet cab, comfortable seat, and good heating and ventilation system create a nice operating environment.
A strong base
JCB's X Series range of tracked excavators is designed to excel in various construction applications. These machines provide unmatched strength, durability, comfort, and efficiency. The 220X model, in particular, features the 81kW (108hp), Stage V 4.8-litre JCB DieselMax 448 engine, delivering 516Nm of torque. Its innovative Selective Catalytic Reduction Filter (SCR-F) ensures a cleaner-burning engine, contributing to reduced emissions.
Moreover, the X Series hydraulic system delivers speed and controllability, enhancing productivity and efficiency on construction sites. Automatic engine shutdown further reduces fuel consumption and emissions when the excavator is not in use.
Perfect platform
Akela Ground Engineering's Contracts Engineer, Dave Warley, highlights the benefits of the JCB-powered JX25-8 rig: "All the piles driven on site so far have been with the JCB-powered JX25-8 rig. The key benefits for us are a lightweight rig which reduces the thickness required for piling platforms and its high manoeuvrability which allows us to access and work effectively on busy house building sites."
This lightweight yet powerful rig strikes a perfect balance, making it the ideal choice for piling operations.
The performance of the JCB digger base machine is being proven with every pile driven into the former hospital grounds and with strong foundations now in place across its equipment fleet - Akela Group is set to be on top of the pile.