Compact HD Hyundai excavator joins B Jeffrey fleet
B Jeffrey Construction, a leading civil engineering contractor based in York, has taken its first HD Hyundai HX48Az midi excavator from local dealer Taylor & Braithwaite. The company also operates two HX85A compact machines, two 14-tonne HX140A L excavators, an HX210A L and an HX220A L.
David Jeffrey, Director said: We purchased our first HX140A L in 2022 and the operator loved it. The machine was just so stable. The Hyundais are quicker than our previous machines and they seem to be much better on fuel as well.
The company had been operating equipment from a competitor for some years, but rising purchase costs and unreliable back-up pushed B Jeffrey Construction to seek an alternative supplier. With a growing fleet of machinery and job sites across the North of England and beyond, having reliable parts and service were critical to the contractor.
David: We looked at three companies initially, Hitachi, Doosan and Hyundai. I went to see them all and to look at their machines. We were very impressed with Taylor & Braithwaite. Their workshops were particularly impressive, which is important to us.
The business was formed by David’s father Brian Jeffrey in 1987, working with a single machine in groundworks. Much of the firm’s early work was for the City of York Council and York-based Rowntree Housing Trust and, as it grew steadily, David joined the business in 1989. His brother John Jeffrey, a civil engineering graduate, came onboard in 1997 and he is now Managing Director of the company.
Over the years, the company has focussed its attentions on groundworks, roads and sewer packages and civil engineering projects. Yorkshire Water has been a major customer for more than 25 years. Over that time the fleet has developed, from compact seven and eight-tonne excavators through to the current 22-tonne Hyundais.
With a full time staff of 30, backed by a group of trusted subcontractors, B Jeffrey has established itself as a leading player in the civil engineering business around York and Yorkshire. The company is prepared to travel further afield too and will work anywhere to look after its client base. Finding qualified staff remains a concern however.
David: If we get a tender request, we’ll price for it. Our only concern is that we haven’t got enough groundworks staff on site.
The company’s plant fleet also has to earn its keep and the HX48Az offers versatility and performance in a compact package. Launched earlier this year, the five-tonne machine is powered by a frugal 29.1kW (39hp) Stage V diesel engine. The machine has been equipped with a Strickland S-Lock quickhitch by Taylor & Braithwaite and it has been supplied with an optional four-way adjustable dozer blade, making it far more versatile than a stabiliser for heavy lifting.
The comfortable full-size cab has plenty of room for the operator and the machine uses a new 5” full colour LCD display to monitor all operating functions. Operators can adjust hydraulic attachment flow through the digital display, to improve performance and tailor the machine to the task.
Though equipped with a zero tailswing counterweight design, the HX48Az has wide opening access doors to the rear and to the right-hand side. For more in-depth maintenance work, the entire cab structure can be tilted to allow access to components. While B Jeffrey Construction does have its own service team, the company relies on the dealer while the machines are under warranty.
The company tends to keep its machinery for up to five years and it continues to replace older models with new HD Hyundai machines.
David: We’re not moving away from Hyundai. The service we get from Taylor & Braithwaite is second to none.