GB Digger Hire is no stranger to Kubota compact machinery. The company, formed in 1988, currently runs in excess of 180 Kubota excavators, in a fleet of more than 400 machines, with additional models currently arriving at the rate of two a week.
“Since 2012, when I bought my first Kubota, everything that we run at 8.5-tonnes and below has been Kubota,” said company founder Graham Byrne. “Kubota machines are among the best in the market.”
The company has recently taken eight Kubota KX085-5 machines from local dealer Shellplant, as part of a larger deal for 16 of the 8.5-tonne models. Once they have all arrived, GB will be taking on 10 additional U56-5s. The company also runs 3-tonne Kubotas, 2-tonne Kubota models, 1.7-tonne machines and micro excavators, opting for zero tail swing designs wherever possible.
“We’ll be taking two of the KX085-5 each month to the end of May,” said Mr Byrne. “We normally buy 60-80 new machines a year.”
The company’s focus on a single brand is not limited to the Kubota excavators. In each model segment GB Digger Hire has a preferred machine and it will focus solely on that single brand for that part of the fleet.
“We have one brand for each model. It’s a policy that is driven by familiarity,” said Mr Byrne.
“We cover a large area and if you’ve got a contractor with an 8-tonne machine and they need to move their operator or the machine to another site, there is instant familiarity for the driver. If we need to supply additional buckets, a hydraulic breaker or to repair a quick hitch, they don’t have to work out what machine they have, we know instantly what is required on site and can take the right equipment from the yard.”
The policy also works for GB Digger Hire’s service department, ensuring that its engineers are completely familiar with the machines when the time comes for regular maintenance, or for an unscheduled call to site.
“We also handle emergency call-outs for utility contractors and they are instantly familiar with the machines when they arrive on site,” he added. “It makes our lives easier and it makes it easier for our customers too.”
While the company’s extensive fleet of equipment is primarily available on a self-drive basis, the business can provide experienced operators when required. Machines are all delivered in a high specification, with quick hitches and auxiliary piping for attachments. Around 250 excavators are also equipped with Safety Shield’s ‘Thumbs up’ system, with a large brightly lit shield outside the cab, letting other operatives on site know if the driver has seen them, before safely approaching the machine.
With a pre-planned turnover of equipment at 3,000-4,000 hours, there is no shortage of buyers for GB Digger Hire’s used machines when the time comes to upgrade.
“We always buy genuine filters and parts,” said Mr Byrne. “You can resell a Kubota machine anywhere in the world and Kubota is one of the best manufacturers for standing by their machines if there is a warranty issue.”
Dealer Shellplant is providing service and back-up for the machines while under warranty, with GB’s in-house workshops caring for the Kubotas following that initial period.
“Shellplant is very pleased to continue the supply of Kubota excavators to GB Digger Hire and we are off to a great start with a £1m order,” said Julian Payne, co-owner and Managing Partner at Shellplant. “Their business is very much appreciated, and we look forward to supporting them over many more years.”