Scottish Contractor cements commitment to JCB with new 150X HD Excavator
A leading Scottish contractor’s enduring loyalty to JCB’s tracked excavators has been cemented with the purchase of a brand-new JCB 150X HD.
The new machine joins an original 1966 JCB 7 excavator in the fleet Muir of Ord-based contracting and plant hire company, D. & I. Bain.
The relationship with D. & I. Bain spans more than 56 years, with the company buying its first JCB – a 3C Mark 1 – in 1964 and showing great loyalty to the brand ever since, investing in more than 40 machines.
The classic JCB 7 excavator model was purchased at auction before being lovingly restored and placed proudly on display at D. & I. Bain’s headquarters. It is believed to be one of just seven models still in existence worldwide and features sealed for life track rollers, cab safety glass and boasts speed options of 1 or 2.25 mph. The machine, which is estimated to have clocked more than 10,000 hours can be demonstrated in full working order.
While the JCB 7 remains one of D. & I. Bain’s favourite ever machines, they are highly impressed with the industry-leading performance of the new X Series model. Supplied by dealer Scot JCB, it is being used on a range of forestry and roadworks projects for local councils.
D. & I. Bain Director, Garry Bain, said: “We wanted something heavier and “beefier” than a 13-tonne machine but not as big as the 220X. The hydraulics in the 150X HD are very smooth. The cab is very well laid out and it’s very comfortable to operate. JCB machines fit the bill for us perfectly. They’re built in the UK, our local dealer is ten minutes down the road and they perform excellently on our type of work.”
The JCB 150X benefits from: a wider operator cab affording all-day comfort, incredible in cab noise reductions of up to 68% and modern styling with durable strike points to reduce total ownership cost. Increased diameter high-flow pipework reduces system losses and boosts efficiency while there is a 6% productivity improvement in terms of tonnes per litre.
D. & I. Bain was set up in the early 1960s by father and son team David and Ian Bain and specialises in forestry and local council work in the Muir of Ord area of Scotland.
