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Having run Takeuchi machines for nearly nine years, Newport based Noel Fitzpatrick Ltd. are well versed in their reliability and features and are running a plant hire fleet of ten Takeuchi machines which includes two 1.5 tonne, two 2.5 tonne, two 5 tonne and four 8 tonne models.

The most recent additions to the fleet include a wheeled TB175W and tracked TB180FR. Both are employed on the development of old Newport docks, which includes new housing, roads and shops. The fleet operated by Noel Fitzpatrick covers around 35 excavators from 1.5 tonne to 35 tonne, and all is operated plant generally with some self drive on occasions. Other plant includes rollers, breakers and dumpers to make up the fleet.

The company are finding more demand for smaller machines on road and civils sites, mainly for access but also for flexibility. As Adrian Key, Plant Manager, points out, this is a recurring theme: “we have found that over the past two years demand for 5 and 8 tonne machines has increased on road sites, and contractors are preferring these to a typical backhoe loader as space is at a premium and an excavator can work in smaller areas and can load dumpers or tippers behind.” The Takeuchi machines have found favour for these tasks, and especially the wheeled TB175W. “As its road legal and quick to move around, we find that for the Newport docks site is has proved invaluable. Not only this, but our operator likes the machine and especially its versatility and the swinging boom which makes the machine so manoeuvrable too” Adrian adds.

Min-Ex of Cwmbran has supplied Noel Fitzpatrick with their Takeuchi machines, and supply parts and warranty support to the company. Fitzpatrick’s own fitters cover daily service requirements but to date only a problem with very fine fuel filters has been an issue, but more to do with the variable quality of site diesel. Most machines are run to 5,000 hours and then traded in as they start to cost more to service.

So will Takeuchi be the brand of choice when some of the fleet come up for replacement? The answer is almost certainly a “yes” from Adrian Key, who sums up by saying “Takeuchi are probably the best mini diggers on the market and we are impressed with their reliability and the back up we get from Min-Ex is excellent. We also hire from SGS, if we require more machines when working as sub-contractors so this is invaluable.”

Noel Fitzpatrick Ltd - www.noelfitzpatrick.ltd.uk – civil engineering & plant hire contractors

SGS, Site Gear Services – associate co of Min-Ex dedicated cross hire service for Takeuchi

Picture: Adrian Key Plant Manager. TB175W working as part of Fitzpatrick fleet.

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