Victorian-based Dakota Contracting Services has added a third Lamtrac 6160T mulcher carrier from Colbrook Industries to its fleet, drawn by the machine’s unique safety design and ‘unmatched’ power
Covering the whole of Victoria, but with a focus on the Macedon Ranges and Hepburn region, Dakota Contracting undertakes a variety of mulching, mowing and land clearance work, to improve vegetation and for fire prevention.
With a fleet consisting of excavators, dozers, skid steers, dedicated forestry mulchers and remote-control mulchers, a particular standout has been the Lamtrac 6160T mulcher carrier, from Colbrook Industries.
The 6160T is the third generation of Lamtrac’s compact track loader (CTL)-style mulcher carriers, offering superior performance in comparison to other machines that can carry mulching attachments – such as skid steers.
When Earthmovers & Excavators last caught up with Dakota Contracting managing director Jake Roehrich, he praised his pair of Lamtracs, saying they were making all the difference. Since then, he’s added a third 6160T unit.
Reliable and efficient
Impressed with the reliability and efficiency of his first two Lamtrac 6160Ts, Roehrich decided to purchase another unit from Colbrook Industries to tackle even more vigorous work.
In comparison to other CTLS and skid steers, he says the 6160Ts are more reliable and efficient, due to the Lamtrac machine being specifically designed for forestry mulching.
“It has a lot more horsepower than other machines in its size class,” he says.
“Although other machines can carry mulching attachments, they’re not dedicated to forestry mulching – the Lamtrac is.”
With a Cummins B4.5 Stage V engine, the 6160T produces 155 horsepower (116kW), an amount of power Roehrich says isn’t normally seen on competing machines.
“The power of the 6160T is unmatched, it’s one of the most powerful machines for that size,” he says.
Weighing in at 6.2 tonnes and fitted with a forestry ROPS/FOPS cabin, the machine was designed for Lamtrac’s home country of Canada, however, the Colbrook version offers an upgraded cooling system to compensate for the harsh Australian conditions. The three-tier radiator is capable of handling ambient temperatures up to 50 degrees Celsius.
Safety
One of the features that most stands out is the door’s placement, which is on the side of the machine instead of the front – more commonly seen on other CTL’s and skid steers.
Speaking about this clever design, Roehrich says it is a subtle, but very important safety feature for his business.
“On other CTLs and skid steers, you can’t get out of the machine if the hydraulic boom is up – you’re stuck on the inside,” he says.
“By having the door on the side of the Lamtrac, you can always get in out of the machine if there’s ever a problem, so it’s a great safety feature.”
This eliminates the risk of an operator getting stuck and trying to climb over the front of a mulcher, Roehrich adds.
To complement the power of the 6160Ts, Roehrich uses a plethora of Diamond Mowers attachments – also from Colbrook Industries – including drum mulchers, disc mulchers and brush cutters.
Relationship
Procuring machinery from Colbrook for approximately three years, Dakota Contracting’s fleet now consists of a variety of Colbrook’s machines and attachments – alongside the three Lamtracs.
A great relationship is a huge part of the reason Dakota Contracting keeps coming back to Colbrook, with Roehrich saying the customer service and support has been second to none.
“In this industry you’re always going to have issues with your machinery, but it’s important to have the right people behind you to keep you going,” he says.
“The support and customer service from Colbrook has been the best I’ve ever had, compared to other businesses, so it’s a credit to them.”
Colbrook Industries is the sole distributor of Lamtrac machinery in Australia and New Zealand. For more information on the Lamtrac 6160T, visit www.colbrookindustries.com.au or call (03) 8369 6610.
To get in touch with Dakota Contracting services, head to www.dakotacontracting.com.au or call Jake Roehrich on 0428 007 911.
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