Growing Demand Along Victoria’s Coastline
Victoria’s holiday coastline, stretching from Geelong to Lorne, is one of the state’s most popular areas. Many people are building retirement homes and holiday escapes close to beaches and coastal forests. Builders often specify piling that must be sunk deep into the steep hills overlooking the ocean and valleys.
For contractors, this means constant demand. Drilling and piling specialists such as Jed Willman are fully booked as housing construction stays strong in the region. To keep up with the workload, Jed upgraded his equipment with an excavator and auger package designed for high-torque piling.
Upgrading to an Excavator and Auger Setup
Jed’s business, based in Torquay, had already relied on a hardworking Takeuchi TB145 excavator. But expanding into screw piling required more hydraulic power than his machine could deliver. To meet the challenge, Jed invested in a new Takeuchi TB260 excavator equipped with a Digga PD15 auger drive.
This powerful excavator and auger combination allows him to run up to a 900mm diameter auger bit, drilling to depths of over 4.5 metres. The setup has transformed his efficiency and expanded the scope of projects he can take on.
Maximising Hydraulic Power
Screw piling requires high torque—up to 15,000 Nm. To achieve this, Semco, the Takeuchi distributor, installed a switch on Jed’s TB260. The switch links all the hydraulic pumps to maximise output and deliver the necessary flow.
Inside the cab, a visual pressure gauge lets the operator track the hydraulic pressure in real time. The operator can switch easily between standard and combined pump modes. Valves on the pumps ensure there’s always enough hydraulic power left in reserve for other machine functions.
Improved Productivity in Coastal Conditions
“Most of our earthwork involves drilling into the soft clay found in this coastal region,” Jed explained. “When conditions get tougher, we use a rock drill. The excavator and auger combination has dramatically increased our productivity. Since buying the TB260 in April, it has run trouble-free every day. Even with our standard auger, we’ve doubled drilling speed.”
A Reliable Choice for Contractors
The Takeuchi TB260 excavator and auger gives contractors like Jed the power and reliability to handle demanding piling jobs. With ample hydraulic power, strong drilling performance, and dependable operation, this machine is helping contractors meet growing demand along Victoria’s coastline.
The TB260 excavator and auger will be showcased at the Semco stand #C39 during the ACE Expo in Melbourne.
