South Australia’s Wattle Range Council’s success with the Hidromek HMK102S Backhoe Loader could set both up for a repeat performance
The Wattle Range Council covers a vast area from the SA Coast to the Victorian Border, including charming seaside towns like Beachport and Southend.
It reaches inland to Millicent, which serves as the primary hub, and extends eastward to the historic town of Penola and the globally acclaimed wine region of Coonawarra.
With an estimated population of 12,026 and 2,440kmof both sealed and unsealed roads, the council is responsible for maintaining a vast area.
Routine maintenance programs are in place for all roads, including roadsides, playgrounds, and general landscaping.
The council’s equipment fleet consists of one excavator, five front-end loaders and one backhoe.
The backhoe is primarily used with a grab for tree removal, but it can serve as a multi-purpose digger and is also utilised to load trucks in the quarry with mulch and rocks.
When the council needed a new backhoe loader, Onetrak and Hidromek provided the answer in the form of a HMK102S Backhoe Loader
The council’s mechanical team leader Tim Whennan explains the council’s old backhoe loader required replacing – so they put it out to tender.
As the council was unfamiliar with the Hidromek brand, it was a little hesitant to purchase initially.
However, upon completing its due diligence, the council followed up on the Hidromek and an opportunity to trial the Hidromek HMK102S was arranged.
Quality
“The initial attractive feature of the machine was its price, but the team soon found out that there were no major differences in the quality or power of the machine compared to more expensive brands,” Whennan says.
“It had all the features of the more expensive machines and looked well built with thicker steel.”
Since acquiring the machine from Onetrak, Whennan says the operators are pleased with the HMK102S Backhoe Loader.
“It has plenty of power in the hydraulics and pushes pretty hard,” he notes.
“The cab design is comfortable and quiet with the controls well positioned.”
Accessible
“Hidromek makes great machines,” Whennan adds, noting that the council had come close to buying a Hidromek HMK110 CS Compaction Roller in another recent tender process.
“Onetrak has been easy to deal with and Callan, Onetrak’s territory manager, has been very responsive and accessible.
“The technicians that came to site were also good and completed what was needed.”
Whennan says that with the recent performance of the HMK 102S backhoe loader, Wattle Range Council is open to considering Hidromek equipment and collaborating with Onetrak for future tenders.
Onetrak is the official dealer for Hidromek equipment in Australia. Visit www.onetrak.com.au or call 1300 727 520 to get in touch with the Onetrak team.
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