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NEwS
Balfour Beatty utility Solutions
Puller/tensioner
installing conductor
Straining tractors
used to raise or
lower conductors
during installation/
diversion work
Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions, one
of the UK’s leading utility solutions
providers, has invested more than
£1.3m in 33 brand new John Deere 5M
and 6030 Series tractors, all equipped
with front loaders. The machines have
been purchased to support ongoing
overhead line projects and increase
operational capacity.
The company uses tractors extensively
whilst installing and renovating overhead
electricity lines. The new tractors will be
equipped for one of two key roles; as
either winch or tow machines.
The winch tractors will each be fitted
with a 2000kg winch to enable them
to raise and lower insulators and
other equipment to teams working on
towers. Tow tractors are used to move
equipment around sites as well as
towing tensioners – machinery used to
raise and tighten the main power cables
– to and from site.
In a change from the traditional green
and yellow of John Deere tractors,
Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions’
machines have all been finished in the
10
Tow tractor used for
moving materials
around site when not
towing puller/tensioner
August 2010
Tow tractor used for
moving materials
and conductor drums
around site when not
towing puller/tensioner
invests in new
fleet of tractors
Puller/
tensioner
Small winch tractors
used to raise and
lower insulators and
moving equipment
around site
companies’ distinguishing blue, giving
them a unique and smart presence at
sites around the country.
Rob Sonnex, Mechanical Plant Manager
for Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions, said:
“We always buy the best when it comes
to our plant and vehicles, and this
investment is no exception. John Deere
has an excellent reputation for quality
and safety, whilst the technical support
and dealership back up offered by the
company and its dealer, Agricultural
Industrial Services, made our choice
clear. The new tractors will increase
TyPICAL PLANT RESOURCE FOR CONSTRUCTION
OPERATIONS - NGT PROJECTS
REFURBISHMENT OF EXISTING TRANSMISSION
LINE ON EXISTING TOWERS
Aluminium
working platform
Erection winch
used for landing
and sagging
conductor
“everyone’s talking about it!”
Small winch tractor
used to raise and
lower insulators and
moving equipment
around site
our capacity for overhead line work and
therefore give significant benefits to our
clients, especially on projects where
time is a factor.”
John Deere’s agricultural marketing
manager Chris Meacock said: “John
Deere and AIS are delighted to have
won this important contract to supply
our tractors to one of the country’s
major utility businesses. It underlines
our continuing efforts to provide market
leading technology solutions to a wide
range of customers.”