Kobelco machines future-proofed with Xwatch for Plantforce in UK
Plantforce has recently installed five XW5 rated capacity indicators, with height and slew restriction to the company’s new Kobelco SK210 machines and also a Kobelco SK130, which are heading off to the Plantforce hire fleet. The installation was carried out by registered Xwatch installers.
Plantforce have worked with Xwatch, which manufacture a range of safety solutions for plant, since the brand was established back in 2019 and has found the systems reliable, intuitive with an easy to use interface, and are compatible with telematics, GPS and proximity warning systems, such as SiteZone RFID and Blaxtair Camera.
Lee Blewett, Fleet Manager at Plantforce Rentals commented on why the company has chosen Xwatch as its preferred RCI safety system and distribution partner, he said: “Firstly the Xwatch safety systems are very easy to fit and very easy to use. The system hasn’t got multiple sensors like competitors brands, which is means there is less to go wrong! Plantforce supports the system as it basically ‘does what it says on the tin’. When a system is fitted to our hire machines it’s important that the system is easy to use – with Xwatch you can set it up very easily, without the need for extensive training, and get on with the job in hand safely.”
Lee added: “All of XW suite of safety systems are very reliable, however, going forward we will only specify the XW5 on our fleet, which future proofs our machines. To date, we have installed 11 XW systems and we have more on order.”
The XW5 offers a total safe working envelope around the machine and operator enabling the control of the machine’s height, slew and rated capacity indication.
Lee concluded: “We have just returned from the Futureworx technology event, which was held last week in Peterborough, where we demonstrated our fully functioning connected worksite, which also had a live two-way feed to the stand monitoring design progress, fuel burn, idle time along with as-built data.
We also used the event as a platform to unveil a brand new SK85 Kobelco machine which was decorated in Cancer Research UK livery. The machine was also fitted with an Xwatch XW4 height and slew monitor, MachineMax telematics, FTC pedestrian detection camera system, Trimble 3D GPS, and a Strickland quick hitch and bucket. All of the systems on this machine were donated, free of charge, by the companies to support Cancer Research UK, with more support from Plantforce throughout the lifespan of the machine.”
Dan Leaney, Sales and Operations Director at Xwatch said: “We have worked with Plantforce for a number of years. The company was one of the first plant hirers to trial the Xwatch systems. We are also delighted that Lee has confirmed that Plantforce will only specify the full XW5 system going forwards – to future-proof its hire fleet. We thank them for their commitment to Xwatch.”
Dan added: “We were also very happy to help with the partnership with Cancer Research UK and Plantforce. It’s important to support these charities – cancer has touched all of our lives in one way or another and we are very proud to be involved.”
