After first being introduced to SANY through a six-week machine demonstration, Exeter-based Haldon Plant has gone on to build a fleet of six SANY excavators, with its latest addition, the SY155U, proving to be another valuable asset on site.

 

For Haldon Plant Director Martyn Mills, investing in new machinery is never a decision taken lightly. As a busy groundworks contractor operating across the South West, equipment reliability and operating costs play a crucial role in the day-to-day success of the business. With several machines due for replacement, the company began exploring alternative manufacturers. What followed was a hands-on demonstration that would ultimately change the direction of the fleet.

 

“We were looking to upgrade a few machines and had several different manufacturers come to see us,” explains Martyn. “Our local SANY dealer South West Handling supplied us with a SANY eight-tonne excavator for six weeks on demonstration, and to be honest, none of us could fault it.”

 

“I’ve been driving machines for around 25 years and every operator who tried it came back saying the same thing. We expected to find something we didn’t like, but we couldn’t. That machine really made the decision for us.”

 

The positive experience led Haldon Plant to make its first SANY purchase. Since then, confidence in the brand has continued to grow, with the company now operating six SANY excavators across a variety of projects. For Martyn, the attraction wasn’t just machine performance. “The warranty was a huge factor for us,” he says. “Previously we could be spending anywhere between £3,000 and £6,000 a month keeping machines operating. Having that peace of mind makes a big difference.”

 

Combined with competitive pricing, strong parts support and positive experiences with local dealer South West Handling, the package proved difficult to ignore. “The price was right, the support was there and the people were great to deal with. It was one of those situations where we simply couldn’t say no.”

 

Today, Haldon Plant’s machines can be found working across housing developments throughout Devon, undertaking everything from deep drainage and road construction to foundations, external works and landscaping. One of the company’s most recent additions, the 15-tonne SY155U, is currently working on a residential development where it is helping deliver roads, drainage infrastructure and foundation excavations.

 

According to Martyn, the machine’s design makes it particularly well suited to the type of work Haldon Plant undertakes. “The offset boom is brilliant for digging footings and working close to structures, whilst the blade gives you an extra level of versatility for levelling ground and moving material around site.” The machine’s fuel efficiency has also impressed operators.

“It’s very economical. We’re often getting close to four days from a tank of fuel, which is excellent for a machine of this size.”

 

For operator Andy, who spends most of his working day in the cab of the SY155U, operator comfort was a key consideration before the purchase was made.

“We travelled up to the dealer’s yard and spent time properly testing the machine before deciding,” he says. “I’m 6ft 4in, so cab space matters, and there’s plenty of room inside.”

“The visibility is really good, the controls are intuitive and it’s comfortable to spend long days in. Features like the large LCD display and the 360-degree camera system make a real difference on site.”

 

The compact rear profile has proven particularly useful when working within the confines of modern housing developments, where space is often at a premium.

“A lot of the sites we work on can be quite tight, so having the short-tail design is a big advantage,” Andy adds.

 

Performance, however, remains the standout characteristic. Working in challenging clay ground conditions, the SY155U has demonstrated both impressive breakout force and the fine control required for finishing work. “It has plenty of digging power, but it’s also very smooth,” says Andy. “Some machines take a while to become comfortable with when grading, but this one felt natural from the start. It’s easy to achieve a quality finish.” That combination of productivity, comfort and reliability has exceeded Haldon Plant’s expectations.

“The driver absolutely loves it,” laughs Martyn. “He comes in at weekends and gives it a clean, which tells you everything you need to know.”

 

“You can only learn so much testing a machine in a yard. The real test starts when it arrives on site and gets put to work every day. The SY155U has exceeded our expectations in every area.”

Supporting Haldon Plant throughout its SANY journey has been local dealer South West Handling, whose proximity and aftersales support continue to provide reassurance for the growing fleet.

 

“They’re only ten minutes away from this site and they’ve been brilliant from day one,” says Martyn. “From servicing and support through to general advice, they’ve been excellent.”

Looking ahead, Haldon Plant has every confidence in its decision to invest in SANY machinery and has already recommended the brand to others within the industry. “We all talk machinery, whether it’s on site or over a drink after work,” Martyn concludes. “I’ve recommended SANY to several people and I know some have gone on to buy machines themselves.”

 

“The feedback has been exactly the same as ours. I’d have no hesitation in recommending SANY.”