Kubota Minis Are Tops In Snowdonia

Two Kubota mini excavators are proving as nimble as Welsh sheep as they play a key role in maintaining mountainside footpaths in the Snowdonia National Park.

The 1.6 tonne KX41-3 machines are operated by the Snowdonia Upland Path Project, a partnership between the National Park Authority, the Countryside Council for Wales and the National Trust.

Funded by the Welsh Assembly, it was created to counteract erosion along the main paths of the most walked mountains within the 823 sq mile National Park. As well as containing Snowdon, the highest mountain in England & Wales, in all there are more than 90 summits over 2,000 ft and 15 over 3,000 ft

In particular, all the main footpaths to the Snowdon summit are popular with the increasing number of visitors who flock there each year, with many showing severe erosion.

The minis were bought from local Kubota dealer Major Owen, of Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, who cover North Wales. Each of the machines was kitted out with several Kubota attachments including 12, 24, and 39 inch wide buckets and a rock breaker.

Both machines are kept hard at work on a variety of footpath repair work including digging and shifting earth and rocks, digging trenches and loading trailers, with the small but powerful rock breaker ideal for dealing with solid obstructions.

They are fitted with variable tracks to allow the operator to reduce their width from 1300 to 990mm, a big plus when working on narrow paths with restricted access.
 
Like all the other machines in the KX Series, they are powered by Kubota's unique E-TVCS multi-cylinder diesel engine and are quiet and economical with very low exhaust emissions, making them particularly suited for work in sensitive locations such as the National Park.

Advanced hydraulic systems improve response and reduce energy wastage, giving the KX Series the ability to outperform larger and more costly machines, enhanced by the ergonomically-designed control lever layout for smoother operation with reduced driver fatigue.

Said Alan Hughes, the Upland Path Partnership's project's officer: "The Kubota machines are excellent and the right size for the job. They are small enough to be driven up and down the mountain paths, making it easy to get them to the work site. Despite their compact size they are packed with power to help us get the work done quickly and efficiently.”

The job of repairing the footpaths was previously done by hand, and the minis have removed all the hard physical work.

"We no longer have problems with men putting their backs out due to the heavy work," said Alan Hughes. "This is a big plus as far as Health & Safety is concerned. We have six teams working on the project and they fight over who is going to use the popular machines."

During the winter months, because the harsh climate makes it difficult for the footpath teams to work high up on the mountains, they concentrate on the lowland paths. Once the footpaths have been repaired, the disturbed areas are landscaped, allowing the natural vegetation to re-colonise.

Alan Hughes said the decision to buy Kubota was made because of their well-known reputation for strength, ease of use and reliability.

"When we spoke to Major Owen their showroom manager, Ieuan Davies, was extremely helpful in recommending the right model for our specific requirements."

"Their after-sales service is excellent and they look after the machines' regular servicing. Both minis are continually on the go in all winds and weathers, and we are extremely satisfied with their consistently high performance."

Kubota is the world leader in mini excavators and provides the largest range available from a single manufacturer. Customers can select from 18 base models, spanning the weight categories from 0.85 to 8-tonnes, and including the widest choice of the increasingly popular zero tail swing machines.

With a legendary reputation for quality, performance, reliability and excellent resale values, together with unbeatable support from a nationwide network of specialist dealers, their compactness and versatility make them the ideal tool for many different applications and end-users, from civil engineering to landscaping, and plant hire companies to owner operators.

Sales of Kubota mini excavators have continued to increase significantly, further boosted by the incorporation of a unique key-based 'ANTI-THEFT' security system - the first and still the only one of its kind fitted as standard equipment by a mini excavator manufacturer.

Further details about the market-leading Kubota mini excavators range can be obtained from Kubota (UK) Ltd - Construction Equipment Division, Dormer Road, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3UN. Tel: 01844 214500 Fax: 01844 216685. Email: enquiry@kubota.co.uk Web: www.kubota.co.uk

-ENDS-

A high resolution photo image to accompany this release is available by clicking here

Photo Caption:
Kubota mini excavators reach the heights in the Snowdonia National Park.

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ISSUED ON BEHALF OF:                          
Kubota (UK) Ltd -                                     
Construction Equipment,                                
Dormer Road,                                             
Thame,                                                        
Oxfordshire, OX9 3UN.                                    
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Fax: 01844 216685.                                    
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Contact: Richard Harrison,                              
Sales & Marketing Manager.    

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