Owen Pugh buy fuel-saving JCB loaders

Two fuel-efficient JCB 457 wheel loaders purchased for load-out duties at Marsden Quarry

NORTH-East construction firm Owen Pugh Group have bought two JCB 457 wheel loaders for loading aggregates at their quarry in Whitburn, near Sunderland.

The company also purchased seven JCB tracked excavators – one JS130, two JS160s, three JS220s and a JS260 model – in the same deal. These will be used for earthmoving, demolition and general works by the Owen Pugh Contracts team.

The two new JCB 457 wheel loaders are operating at Marsden Quarry, on behalf of the Owen Pugh Aggregates division, loading quarried materials on to vehicles leaving the site.

Andy Mountford, general manager at Owen Pugh Aggregates, said: ‘The two new loading shovels at Marsden Quarry have directly replaced long-standing JCB equipment which has performed admirably for us over the years.

‘We’re already seeing a positive impact on productivity as a result of the new machines, and as they boast fuel-efficient Tier 4i engines, we expect that over time we’ll see a positive impact on fuel costs too.’

Paul Cockburn, general manager of Owen Pugh & Co Ltd, who oversaw the purchase of the new machines, added: ‘It’s important for us to work with recognized leading industry brands which our customers know and trust. The excellent customer service and the parts and service back-up from Scot JCB also played a key part in our decision.’

The JCB 457 wheel loader is are powered by an 8.9-litre engine delivering 250hp (186kW) of power, an increase of 16% on the previous model. With a variable-geometry turbocharger, high-pressure common-rail fuel injection and a diesel oxidation catalyst with diesel particulate filter (DPF), the engine also provides an 18% increase in torque at 1,085Nm, yet meets the requirements of the EU Stage IIIB (EPA Tier 4 Interim) emissions regulations.