17th February 2006

Meridian Windows & Conservatories of Heybridge in Essex is saving considerable time and labour by using diesel powered Hi-T500 compact dumpers manufactured by Taylor Construction Plant for transporting spoil and concrete.

Having used these highly versatile tracked machines for nearly three years equipped with an optional concrete pouring chute, Meridian recently up-graded to one of the very latest low hand/arm vibration and low noise models in order to maximise on-site safety.

According to Luke Turff of Meridian, a single Hi-T500 has reduced the time to carry and place the 4 cu m of concrete required for the footings of a typical conservatory to less than 30 minutes. This equates to a dramatic saving in both time and labour compared with conventional wheelbarrows as up to 8 would have to be used to accomplish the same task in a similar time, although in practice this would be a logistical nightmare.

By using TCP’S compact dumper, most groundworks now require just two men to complete as only in very exceptional circumstances is the machine unable to reach the site of a conservatory, normally constructed at the rear of a property. The HiT-500 is just 708 mm wide and so is able track down narrow side passages or pass through standard doorways. Once filled with spoil by a micro excavator, it is able to tip loads directly into waiting skips, either over the side or ends.

The machine is powered by a 7.41 kW (9.5 hp) Kubota diesel engine, now silenced down to 99 LWA by means of an easy-to-remove GRP access cowl, and is attached to the chassis using resilient mounts which have contributed to a dramatic reduction in hand/arm vibration levels of some 20% compared to the original machine.

Visit the Hi-T500 page for more information