Huski excavator adds spark to electrical business

Toyota Materials Handling Australia’s latest Huski mini excavator range has been warmly received by the local market, with customers lauding the machine’s compact size yet exceptional power.

The mini excavator range was scheduled to make its debut at the Diesel Dirt and Turf construction trade show earlier this year, before the coronavirus pandemic forced the postponement of the show.

That hasn’t stopped customers from purchasing the units based on the performance of their existing Huski range of skid steers, and one example is Dural(NSW)-based electrical contracting business, MD Industries.

The business was started 15 years ago by Matt De Bono, and is today a “multi-disciplinary business” covering a multitude of work.

"We are mainly electrical contractors but we cover a lot of fields and also do project work, providing entire customer solutions such as demolition, fit-outs, a whole range of works," he said.

"Because we cover so many areas, we can wrap it up as a package: do all the excavations, trenching, footings, the civil works, concreting, and of course the electrical side of things. We also provide 24-hour everyday quick response.”

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The company is currently working on building a network of electric car-charging stations throughout New South Wales.

“When it's complete, and it's due for completion by June 2021, you'll be able to find one every 150km, all the way to the state borders."

Due to the long distances the company needed to travel for its projects, it needed an excavator compact and light enough to transport, yet is still able to provide the power required.

As a long-time Toyota Huski skid steer loader user, De Bono said his experiences with the 5SDK5 influenced his decision to buy the M-16U Huski mini excavator.

"The Huski skid steer loader definitely makes life a lot easier for us and it's fair to say that it has helped our business grow.

"Likewise, our business growth and the size of our recent electric car-charging station commitments really spurred the decision to get our new Huski mini excavator, making it quicker and easier to finish our projects."

Initially considering the smallest excavator in the Huski excavator range, De Bono eventually settled on the M-16U which provides the transportability and efficiency his company needs.

"The new 1.6-tonne Huski is in a different class to our larger machine but for the size of it, it is very powerful and more so than the 1.6-tonne equivalent from another brand. It performs very well, having excellent break-out force for its size,” De Bono said.

He has optioned the M-16U Huski mini excavator with a quick hitch for attachments which he said is handy. He added the zero tail-swing feature of the 1.6-tonner was also a nice touch.

"The Huski mini excavator definitely feels smooth to operate," said De Bono. "And it's going to give us access to tighter sites because of the smaller size."

He said his experience dealing with Toyota Material Handling Australia service technicians and sales managers has been another reason to stick with the brand.

"Our relationship with TMHA has been excellent and is a part of the reason we went with the Huski mini excavator as opposed to other brands,” he said.

"The major factor, though, was the performance of our Huski skid steer loader. It made the decision simple."

Find out more on huskiconstructionequipment.com.au