Clements Plant Hire upgrades with Kubota

The decision was influenced by machine quality, cost-effectiveness, security and the high standard of after-care available from its distributor.

Clements is one of the West Midlands' largest independent plant hire firms.

With mini excavators forming an increasingly popular part of the company's portfolio, and a growing business base, Clements needed to expand its machine fleet but was faced with a difficult decision.

Issues relating to its existing mini excavator brands and suppliers - including manufacturing faults, after-care problems and pricing factors - led Clements managing director Jim Longstaff to research other machine options available on the market.

Top of the list was Kubota, whose reputation Jim was well aware of given his long-term association with Ben Elliott, boss of local Kubota distributor BTE Plant Sales .

BTE provided Clements with a trial machine, which proved to be ideal for the firm's purposes.

In particular, Clements valued Kubota's commitment to integrating customer-friendly features into its range, perhaps most notably the extra machine security and peace of mind provided by its unique 'ANTI-THEFT' system and their industry-leading three year warranty as standard.

Fitted as standard equipment, the Kubota 'ANTI-THEFT' device uses encoded keys to ensure that only authorised drivers can access and operate the vehicle.

Having suffered incidents of theft in the past, Clements is well aware of the inconvenience and cost of having to replace stolen equipment.

Clements purchased five Kubota machines initially, comprising three 1.5 tonne KX36-3 models and two 2.5 tonne U25-3 machines.

The compact KX36-3 model has been developed to deliver efficient handling and performance over the broadest range of jobs.

Versatility across all construction applications is achieved via a powerful bucket digging force, a long arm for increased dig depth and digging radius, and a well-protected boom cylinder.

For bigger jobs, the powerful U25-3 model adds further power with a travelling system designed for rough terrain, zero tail swing for working in even the tightest situations, and simultaneous operation of boom, arm, bucket and swivel.

Clements has been so impressed with the performance of the Kubota minis that it has since acquired a fourth KX36-3.

Between them, the six models now account for around 25% of Clements' mini excavator fleet.