en.Wedoany.com Reported - Whitelocks Plant, a plant hire and civil engineering contractor based in North Yorkshire, UK, has taken delivery of a Hyundai HL975A wheeled loader, which is working at a sandstone quarry north of Leeds and delivering significantly lower fuel consumption than the machine it replaced.
The machine was supplied by local dealer Taylor & Braithwaite. Whitelocks selected the model after multiple on-site demonstrations and comparisons to match the quarry's actual operational requirements. The HL975A is equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), enabling smooth acceleration while maintaining low engine revs, with continuous optimisation of power matching.
The machine handles stockpiling, loading and load-and-carry duties, consuming 8.6 litres of fuel per hour, compared with 26 litres per hour for the old loader it replaced — a saving of approximately 18 litres per hour. This 26.5-tonne-class loader is fitted with a 5.2 m³ general-purpose bucket and, in addition to stockpiling and blending materials, can fill an eight-wheeled tipper in two passes and an articulated dump truck in three.
Whitelocks site manager Luke Jones said the company chose the Hyundai brand primarily for its fuel economy and ease of maintenance. "We've had a lot of positive feedback, and we already own machines from Taylor & Braithwaite," said Jones. "It's saving us up to 18 litres per hour."
Taylor & Braithwaite supplied the machine with a 5,000-hour extended warranty. Like all large Hyundai machines, the HL975A CVT is equipped with the Hi-MATE telematics monitoring system, giving both the customer and the dealer real-time access to operating data. "We don't even need to call T&B for servicing," said Jones. "Early on, a fault code was registered, and before we knew it, T&B was on site the next day. With the service package, we expect this machine to run for at least 20,000 hours."
The loader is highly specified, featuring the optional Advanced Around View Monitoring (AAVM) 360-degree camera and Intelligent Mobile Object Detection (IMOD) radar sensors, joystick steering, high-visibility handrails and an automatic lubrication system. The powertrain uses a Stage V-compliant Cummins X12 diesel engine producing a maximum output of 335 hp (250 kW) and peak torque of 1,765 Nm, with an integrated exhaust aftertreatment system that eliminates the need for exhaust gas recirculation (EGR).
The ZF CVT transmission continuously adjusts the split between hydrostatic and mechanical power based on load and speed, providing the operator with four forward virtual gears and three reverse gears, along with traction, dynamic and creep modes. Hydraulic differential locks ensure maximum traction when excavating stockpiles or working faces, while reducing tyre slippage. Jones has also noted a marked improvement in tyre wear since adopting the CVT. He also praised the accessibility of the routine service points and the machine's ability to automatically record the completion status of daily checks.
Regional sales representative Matt Bradley said: "We thank John Whitelock and the team for their continued business and trust in Taylor & Braithwaite, and look forward to continuing to support this growing business."
Whitelocks Plant, headquartered near Skipton in Yorkshire and established in 1997, specialises in plant hire, earthworks, land reclamation and restoration, and currently operates a fleet of more than 600 machines plus 20 road tippers, serving contractors, utilities and civil engineering customers across the region. Jones commented: "Two passes to fill a truck gives us the productivity and reliability we need. But Hyundai's biggest advantage is its fuel efficiency — it's absolutely the lowest cost-per-hour loading machine we've ever run."
