28th November 2005

Since it was launched back in 2000, Taylor Construction Plant’s Hi-T500 compact tracked dumper has found many friends in the building, construction, hire and landscaping industries where its combination of diesel engine drive, rugged build quality and ability to reach tight access sites has proved very popular.

From it’s conception and launch, the Hi-T500 has remained largely unchanged throughout its five year life other than the introduction of a two-speed transmission to allow precise control in confined spaces and across difficult ground conditions plus 4 kph for travelling on smooth surfaces.

One of the key reasons for the Hi-T500’s success, particularly with plant hirers, was the decision to power it with a diesel engine. Based on customer feedback and TCP’s desire to continually improve its products, the design team were tasked with reducing noise energy levels by a considerable margin.

This objective has been met by the development of a GRP engine cowl equipped with an acoustic liner which has reduced the LWA figure from 104 down to a 99, a substantial and significant improvement and well within the 2006 requirements for mobile plant. The exhaust is also now piped downwards to further reduce both noise and emissions from the vicinity of the operator.

Although totally enclosing the Kubota engine, the cowl is made in two sections held together by a pair of over-centre clips. Once these clips are undone, the two cowl halves can be hinged out to allow easy access for routine maintenance. An hydraulic oil cooler has also been included in the new design with forced air cooling to assist total engine management.

TCP has worked closely with Kubota’s technical staff to ensure the new design not only functions efficiently but also complies with the company’s worldwide warranty specifications.

The single cylinder engine, which develops 7.4 kW (10hp), is now also attached to the chassis using resilient mounts which have contributed to a reduction in hand/arm vibration levels of some 20% compared to the original machine.

Other improvements on the 500 kg capacity dumper include an up-rated battery for easier cold starting, a start aid timer which will prevent the engine from cranking before the glow plug is fully efficient and a fuel filler cap incorporating a fuel gauge in addition to the standard, tank-mounted sight tube.

Visit the Hi-T500 page for more information