New Hyundai wheel loader for G Webb Haulage
HL960A model already a firm favourite of site foreman at Cambridgeshire recycled aggregates site
TO meet increasing demand for recycled materials, G Webb Haulage operate an extensive site adjacent to the A1 at Little Paxton, in Cambridgeshire, where they currently handle a large volume of recycled aggregate material on an annual basis.
To service this facility and a second recycled aggregates site nearby, as well as a virgin stone quarry, G Webb Haulage run a fleet of more than 50 tippers and a small fleet of earthmoving equipment for their quarrying and recycling operations, and other off-site earthmoving projects.
The Little Paxton site is currently home to a new Hyundai HL960A wheel loader, the latest model to be operated by the company and already a firm favourite of long-standing operator and site foreman Nigel Missen.
‘We have had a number of machines over the years but have recently settled with Hyundai,’ said Mr Missen. ‘This single, front-line wheel loader is relied upon to handle large amounts of incoming and outgoing materials.’
Replacing an HL960 model, local Hyundai dealers Willowbrook Plant supplied the new HL960A, which is kept busy five-and-a-half days a week and is so far proving to be an excellent replacement for what was a very good machine, according to Mr Missen.
The large site and wide variety of recycled aggregates and soil present require Mr Missen and the HL960A to be flexible and nimble. ‘With the amount of material that we dispatch on a daily basis, having dedicated bays for each material wouldn’t be possible as we stock hundreds if not thousands of tonnes of the most popular products,’ he explained.
‘This means we need to travel from one end of the site to the other, sometimes after each truck. The Hyundai is ideal for this; it’s the right size for the site to give us the perfect combination manoeuvrability and performance.’
With an operating weight of 19.2 tonnes, G Webb’s HL960A carries a 3.3 cubic metre capacity straight-edge general-purpose bucket. The A-series model is the latest incarnation of the Hyundai wheel loader range, which has been upgraded around the new 225hp Cummins B6.7 diesel engine. Delivering slightly more power, this Stage V engine offers 875 lb/ft of torque – 15% more than the outgoing HL960 model.
To meet the Stage V regulations, the loader uses Cummins’ single-module after-treatment system incorporating DPF, SCR and urea dosing in a single unit, and taking up 50% less space than the previous system. The machine’s large bonnet opens electrically and provides ample room around the engine and cooling pack for service access.
The HL960A rides on a pair of heavy-duty axles offering a ground clearance of more than 400mm and, thanks to its short wheelbase, boasts a relatively tight 7.75m turning circle. Wide and well-spaced non-slip steps provide safe access to the large, well-appointed cab, which boasts large areas of glass for excellent all-round visibility.
Joystick steering can be specified as an option on the HL960A, but this was not taken by Webb. ‘I like the steering wheel, it’s responsive and light to use,’ said Mr Missen. ‘I have also been very impressed by the lack of noise in the cab. My old machine was quite quiet, but this is even better.’
Servicing is carried out by Willowbrook with remote monitoring of the machine undertaken through Hyundai’s Hi-MATE telematics system. An addition to the A-series model is Engine Connected Diagnostics (ECD), which reports any engine failures immediately to both the Hi-MATE system and to the engine manufacturer.
As overall first impressions go, Mr Missen is more than happy with the new Hyundai. ‘The fuel consumption is good as is its AdBlue intake. If it stays as reliable as my old machine, I’ll be a very happy man,’ he said.
