Hitachi for life!

RB McGeary Contracts is an invaluable support to the Graham Farrans Joint Venture (GFJV) on an important road construction project in Northern Ireland. The subcontractor has a fleet of Hitachi construction machinery at its disposal for some of the specialist, intricate work involved on the upgrading of the A6.

Benefits for the community

The A6 Dualling Scheme is improving 14.7 kilometres of the North Western Transport Corridor between the M22 at Randalstown and the Castledawson roundabout. This route is used by 18,000 vehicles each day, which often results in congestion at key times.

In 2016, GFJV was awarded the contract to build a high standard dual carriageway and work began in 2017. Once completed this year, it will bring long-term social and economic benefits to the area north of Lough Neagh.

The £160 million (€180 million) investment will strengthen the links between Northern Ireland’s two largest cities (Belfast and Derry/ Londonderry). It will also reduce journey times and improve road safety for the local community.

The main works have included: major earthworks; drainage and culverts for existing watercourses; environmental and ecological mitigation measures; the new dual carriageway with numerous bridges, culverts and underpasses; and accommodation works for landowners.

Safety and reliability

GFJV appointed RB McGeary Contracts as the main subcontractor on the A6 Dualling Scheme for existing and new utility work (telephone, electricity and water). “We use RB McGeary Contracts for their specialist skills and good safety management,” says Robin Kirkpatrick, Project H&S Manager.

“It’s also good to see their fleet of new and well-maintained Hitachi machines on site. We obviously have a big emphasis on safety when it comes to working near pedestrians, so 360-degree vision around the equipment is vital to safeguard them.”

The owner of RB McGeary Contracts, Ronnie McGeary, is also keen to promote safety. “There is an element of risk in our work, but we follow a safe working practice and run Hitachi zero-tail swing machines. These are very precise, and for example have motion sensors, flashing beacons and hose rupture valves – and as a result we have an excellent safety record.”

Based in Donaghmore with 14 employees, RB McGeary Contracts has 12 Hitachi machines at its disposal: two ZX33U-5s, two ZX38U-5s, two ZX65USB-5s, one ZX130LCN-6, three ZX135US-6s, one ZX210LC-6 and one ZX225USLC-6.

“There is a shift towards the more favourable fuel consumption of compact machines due to increasing diesel costs,” explains Ronnie. “The ZX33U-5 and ZX38U-5 are perfectly suited to our work. They provide the optimum digging depth and can be easily transported on our 7.5-tonne truck.

“These mini excavators average between 1,000 and 1,200 working hours per annum. I also like the ZX65USB-5, due to its power, reach and versatility in combination with the standard buckets and breakers we use.”

Value for money

The company’s medium excavators average 1,500-2,000 annual working hours and the last machine sold had nearly 5,000. “We usually change our machines every three years – about three or four a year – and we benefit from the strong second-hand values of Hitachi excavators.

“My favourite machine is the ZX210LC-6, which is very smooth, and especially suited to profiling and finishing work. In my opinion, this model and the minis can’t be beaten in terms of value for money.”

Ronnie prefers to stick to one brand of excavator, and finds that Hitachi is honest and treats his company with respect. “The Hitachi brand is all about reliability,” he adds. “They even look after smaller customers like us – and that’s important in a small country like Northern Ireland!”

Ronnie also appreciates the importance of routine maintenance and high-quality service. “We have experienced very little downtime with Hitachi machines. If there is a breakdown, our local Hitachi sub-dealer, TBF Thompson, is extremely helpful. They always send one of their service vehicles to us within an hour of our initial call.”

The operator of the ZX130LCN-6 on the A6 project, Seamus Loughran, has worked with Hitachi excavators and RB McGeary Contracts for four years. “This is a comfortable and solid machine, and very good in confined spaces. It’s also incredibly precise, smooth, and easy to handle and control – it really does make the work easy for me!

“In addition TBF Thompson offers a first-class service. They are forward-thinking in terms of the maintenance schedule and excellent at working around our needs. Hitachi offers a different level of excavator, with better capabilities than the other brands that I have experienced. Reliability is another strong point and I could drive them for the rest of my life!”