KATO IMER PRODUCT REVIEW - BY PETER BRETT


KATO IMER have diggers and dumpers for all sectors


A VERY large fi eld near Winchester proved to be an ideal space for potential buyers to get to grips with some of the KATO IMER machinery. There were dozens of excavators and dumpers to try out, and we were encouraged by the KATO IMER demonstrators to get in and have a go.


Under their watchful tutelage I had an eye-opening experience of using several excavators, and a couple of mini-dumpers. While I learnt I would need a lot more training and practice to become truly profi cient, I also learnt the effi ciencies, accuracy, and sheer ability of these machines to shift earth quickly is amazing.


Controlled Technology The controls are designed to be simple and intuitive – as a novice, it makes it a lot easier for me to understand that if I push the lever to the left, it will make the bucket arm go left. Trained and experienced operators are able to combine complex movements of the controls to get digging operations that seem to defy the laws of physics. I also liked the simplicity and convenience of being able to change the bucket from the safety of the cab, via a neat hydraulic system. Gone are the days of club hammers and rusty pins. When it came to the mini-dumpers I was able to move and dump a heavy load of earth at skip height, by simply getting to grips with half a dozen levers. Given another few hours training on this machine I felt confi dent I could gain enough skill to be useful on a building site. I have spoken to several builders since, and they all agree the narrow footprint and capacity of modern dumpers are useful, even for small independent building companies.


A Range with Options What becomes clear when you can actually see the range of plant in front of you is that KATO IMER has a number of variations of each model to suit particular buyers. There are options such as removable roll bars or built-in canopies,


14 TBH July-August, 2018


two travelling speeds, and variable gauge undercarriage - as well as a range of creature comforts like fully adjustable seats.


The wellbeing of the operator is taken care of with safety lockouts, protection bars and foldable pedals.


I had a very close look at the construction and build quality, and it was clear that these KATO IMER machines are very well built – which leads directly to my next point - what they all have in common is a comprehensive fi ve year guarantee.


Unlike other guarantees that exclude some parts (like motors) after year one, the whole machine is covered for a full fi ve years.


For several reasons, including tax effi ciency, many operators like to trade in plant after three years. Through the KATO IMER guarantee, the buyer would still have two years of guarantee, thus giving purchasers of used machines the confi dence of a reliable machine.


PRODUCT REVIEW BY PETER BRETT


With a special emphasis on the use of the best ranges of engines from leading manufacturers, as well as a design that makes daily maintenance very easy, it is more likely they will be maintained properly – and therefore have a more reliable working life.


KATO IMER classifi es their machinery broadly within towing weight categories, to make it simple for the range to be divided into those machines suitable for small building companies, right the way through to those designed for major civil engineering contractors.


For many users, it makes more sense they know what machine they can buy to suit the trailer and towing capacity of their van.


It may be possible to see from the photos how the testing area was prepared – a massive job. This was prepared by just a few KATO IMER machines and their operators - in a day.


The long embankment and prepared trial digging surfaces provided a safe and realistic experience for testing, and it was all


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