“There was always a risk that I could easily damage a rubber track when working on densely overgrown sites,” he says. “It only takes one small hidden stump or similar obstacle.” On steel tracks, he says the excavator is also much kinder on more delicate surfaces and has the ability to negotiate far wetter, softer ground conditions without fear of getting stuck. The dozer blade has also been reworked to include a removable blanking plate that reveals a clevis hitch, allowing Mr Gowans to move trailers with the excavator.


At the same time, he had the front end fitted with new pins and bushes, while a total of six ultra-bright LED worklights have been installed around the machine.


“There are those who think I am mad to invest so much money on a secondhand excavator,” he says. “Despite being a six-year old excavator, it has only done 5,000 hours and I now have the perfect specification for my business.”


“Stability is fantastic, the hydraulic controls and overall smoothness are far better than my 55B,” he says. “I just need to create better storage on the machine for tools – carrying my toolbox in the cab is not an ideal solution.”


This aside, he adds that the shift to a tilt rotator has meant learning an all-new skill set, and this is probably the biggest stumbling block for many operators considering the switch to greater versatility. “It does demand much more focus and concentration, but there are no limits to what you can do with such a combination,” he adds. “The only limit is your own imagination - if you can think it, there’s an attachment that will help you to do it.”


THE VOICE PAGE 24


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