Hubbway adds Xwatch

16 March 2022

Hubbway Plant Hire of Cramlington has chosen height and slew safety systems from Xwatch Safety Solutions as its preferred option on a number of the larger excavators in its fleet. 

Director Phil Hickey says that the company initially ordered an XW4 system for a 17-tonne Hitachi wheeled excavator and it quickly proved successful. 

“I was very impressed with the system – it was easy to operate, which was one of the first things I noticed. It was also very intuitive and represented value for money. 

“Ease of use and reliability are important factors when out on hire. With Xwatch you don’t need any previous experience of using this system – it’s self-explanatory. In the past I have had operators on the phone asking me to talk them through a competitor’s system, but I can honestly say I have not had one phone call about using the Xwatch.

“The operator can get in the cab set the limits and off they go. More complicated systems waste time and can have serious safety implications if overridden, because the operator can’t make it work,” says Phil, pictured.

To date Hubbway has purchased thirty XW4 and XW5 systems that have been fitted to a range of wheeled and tracked excavators, including Hitachi, Hyundai, Kubota and Yanmar models, with another six on order.

The XW5 is a rated capacity indicator (RCI) to ensure the safe operation of lifting equipment throughout the machine’s working envelope. It continually measures the height, radius and load, allowing operators to work at the maximum lifting capacity whilst remaining within the machine’s safe working load parameters.

Hubbway was founded in 1965 by George Hubb and is now run by his son, Nick, who is managing director. The company hires out a wide variety of plant, tools and equipment nationwide and its excavator fleet currently comprises more than 150 machines ranging from one tonne to 30 tonnes. 

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