New Cat 950 GC for KJ Services
Specialist plant hirer adds to existing Cat fleet with purchase of new wheel loader from Finning
KJ Services, specialist plant hirers to the construction and quarrying sectors, have purchased a Cat 950 GC wheel loader in a deal with Finning UK & Ireland. Adding to the company’s existing Caterpillar fleet, KJ Services say the machine was chosen for its strength, manoeuvrability and ease of maintenance.
The South Wales-based business purchased the Cat 950 GC in early 2019 and has now logged more than 340h of operating time, realizing both financial and operational savings in loose material handling, machine loading, general construction and stockpiling jobs.
In addition, KJ Services are benefitting from Caterpillar’s Product Link remote monitoring solution for fleet management, using the VisionLink interface to monitor the machine’s usage, fuel burn and productivity.
Jack Stephens, plant manager at KJ Services, said: ‘We purchased this loading shovel about three months ago and it has already proven its value. We opted for the Cat 950 GC model as a smaller and more manoeuvrable alternative to the Cat 950M, which we are already familiar with.
‘We’ve had great feedback from the operators on site, all of whom have commented on the improved visibility and comfort in the cab. They are able to perform their pre-start checks more easily and quickly because all access points are at ground level. On previous machines we’ve sometimes had to lift the bonnet to perform standard tasks, which takes time, whereas the new machine helps reduce these routine tasks to a minimum.
‘We also use Product Link to provide valuable insight into the machine’s performance, which helps us to cut time and costs. Every machine in our fleet, including the 950 GC, is monitored to provide insight into machine hours, fuel burn and idle time, to name a few. The user-friendly software provides all the information we need to monitor the health, performance and productivity of our fleet.
‘Any faults on the machine are flagged automatically and, with the help of the support team at Finning, can be analysed and remedial action taken, alongside proactive management of the machine’s ongoing performance.
‘We choose Caterpillar products for their reliability, connectivity and the resale value of the machine; so much so that 99% of our fleet is made up of Cat equipment. The Cat 950 GC has proved itself as a valuable addition. In just three months, the machine and system have delivered great results and we’re already looking to purchase additional units.’
