The Hidromek HMK230LC is a versatile excavator, well-suited for any application including earthmoving, civil works, quarrying and forestry. Here, we chat with the Tasmanian team behind Allsands (Tas) Pty Ltd that was the first to use this model in Australia
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The HMK230LC comes in at 23.9 tonnes, with a 172 horsepower (128kW) four-cylinder Isuzu engine
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Weighing a hearty 23.9 tonnes and powered by a 172 horsepower (128kW) four-cylinder Isuzu engine, the HMK230LC is an impressive machine in the H4 range of Hidromek excavators.
The machine is built for longer life thanks to the heavy-duty, reinforced steel components and more durable bronze graphite bushings that prevent wear in the boom-arm and boom-frame structural linkages.
Like other machines in the Hidromek H4 series, the HMK230LC features a well-finished new look, and improved productivity and efficiency standards. The H4 series features a new design, including a new cab, bright white colour and sharp trimmings. An improved hydraulic system means faster and smoother cycles. Meanwhile, the Isuzu Tier 3A engine offers fuel efficiency.
After attending a demo day organised by construction equipment supplier Onetrak, Tasmania-based Allsands became the first customer in Australia to purchase the new HMK230LC.
Allsands (Tas) Pty Ltd is a family-owned and operated business based near Hobart, Tasmania.
Established in 1987 on a large farm in Penna, Allsands is run by a small team – husband and wife Allan and Sandra Eggins and their son Darren Eggins. The business specialises in supplying sand, soil and gravel for building or construction work in and around Hobart.
Operating with limited machinery, Allsands moves in excess of 30,000 cubic metres of sand
on average per year out of the property. When Allan and Sandra decided to get an upgrade for one of their existing excavators, they chose the Hidromek HMK230LC.
“We attended the demonstration of the machine at Onetrak’s yard and were impressed with
the performance. We did a lot of research and weighed up options and performance prior to
making the decision. It was the second machine we purchased from Onetrak,” Allan says.
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This Hidromek HMK230LC was brought in as an upgrade for Allsands Pty Ltd’s construction materials work
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“Upon use, we have found the machine to be much quieter than any of the other excavators we own. Operating features and fuel consumption are really good, it requires no special maintenance, and it is working out to be a very efficient machine.
“We also appreciate the fact that it came with a lot of standard features that in other brands are available through upgrades. Also, compared to the previous machine from a different brand that we were using, the Hidromek HMK230LC is already showing fuel efficiency through its four-cylinder engine.”
Equipment supplier Onetrak offers excellent customer support to ensure customers are able to find the right solution for any job. It offers custom solutions such as fabrication, attachments and software with various brands and equipment.
For Allsands, Onetrak fitted the machine with a Doherty Quick Hitch and custom EI Engineering buckets to match the workload requirements.
FEATURES
The HMK230LC cabin is spacious and comfortable and features an adjustable ergonomic air suspension seat, climate-controlled airconditioning, excellent operator visibility and improved cabin noise and vibration dampening.
Like other H4 models, it also features Hidromek’s Opera 8-inch (20cm) touch control panel, that allows hydraulic system control setting and up to 20 attachments, monitoring how they are controlled on the clubs and their flow requirements. Hidromek’s SmartLink telematic data system provides access to a range of useful reports and insights on machine condition from remote locations.
The HMK230LC has multiple safety features including rear camera, high-visibility work lights, beacon light and a rollover protection system, falling object protection system, FOGS II guard safety protection and additional factory handrails.
The safe fuel transfer pump feature allows for automatic stops when the tank is full.
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Safety features include a rear camera, high visibility work lights, beacon light and protection systems
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GOOD FEEBACK
“We purchased a wheel loader from Onetrak three years ago and their service was exceptional. They’re a local company so if something goes wrong with the machine they are only half-an-hour away and it is easy to get it sorted,” Allan says.
“That and their customer service were the main reasons we went to them for the excavator. The short distance meant if we needed to get the equipment serviced we could get it done without much downtime. That was very important to us,” Sandra adds.
Having been impressed by the versatility of the HMK230LC was not a small reason either.
In fact, Onetrak’s territory manager Jodie Johnson says the Hidromek model gained extremely positive feedback from customers during their ‘machine demo days’ event last year.
“One thing that stood out was how powerful the HMK230LC is and how operators could easily track the machine up the bank out of the quarry pit, without needing to use the bucket to help pull the machine up. They also mentioned how stable the machine felt and how comfortable and quiet the cab was while operating,” she says.
“The machine performed extremely well, with major civil operators stating the HMK230LC machines were on par with leading brands in final trimming. And customers were impressed with the machine’s maintenance layout, with easy access to most items from ground level.
“Customers also mentioned that they like the new H4 look and design and that they were
impressed with the robustness of the machine, in particular the undercarriage and belly plates.
Hidromek machines are built with extra heavy-duty weldments and greater steel thickness and bracing where it counts for extreme purpose applications,” she adds.
Hidromek’s new H4 Series of excavators includes the HMK140LC, HMK145LCSR, HMK230LC, HMK310LC, HMK390LCHD, HMK410LCHD and HMK500LCHD – all of which are available through Onetrak.
With offices across Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania, Onetrak offers new and used machine sales, equipment hire, parts and service.
For more information about the Hidromek range of equipment, visit www.onetrak.com.au.