About Us
As North America’s only authorised dealer of Euromach we can provide the World’s biggest range of spider excavators. Established in the UK with over 30 years experience we are experts in this specialist field. Now partnered with Colorado based Black Diamond Restoration we are uniquely positioned to supply top of the line machinery, expertise and on the ground support in the USA.
Our Story
In 1989 one of the first mini walking /spider excavators (a Menzi Jolly) was purchased by F.H Plant Services, to complement their growing mini excavator fleet. Prior to this there were a few towable diggers available with stabilisers / outriggers, (Smalley / Powerfab), but nothing with quite the same terrain capability.
This was complemented by a Menzi Jolly 1300 a year later, which had the benefit of a 1ft / 300mm telescopic dipper – a great help when climbing!
In 1991 a Menzi 5000T2 was trialled, (only the second of its type in the UK -the first having being bought by a contractor for a specific civil engineering project in N.Wales); but like the smaller models the 5000 had basic levers /linkage operating the valve block, so while a very capable 6T machine, not the most “user friendly”….. It was, however, supplied with a Powertilt TT8.5 tilting coupler and an OSMA flail / mulching head……the rest is another history…(the start of our venture into the world of attachments..)
You can just make out the Powertilt on the end of the dipper arm..
6/5/1991: Note the OSMA HD1000 flail head, and also the control levers!
In 1993 the first 5t class Menzi / Euromach 4000 model was introduced, – the first to have servo-controls on the arm-rests for the main functions, but still with separate levers for the chassis functions! Following the closure of the UK dealer, and shortly afterwards the original Menzi company; Euromach srl were approached directly for spares and support. An agreement was reached to sell the machines and the relationship that started then continues to this day.
“An agreement was reached to sell the machines and the relationship that started then continues to this day.”
A local civils job, hop over the barrier – no problem
Extensive work with the Forestry Commission Technical Development Branch throughout the UK established the use of Spider excavators and working practices for ground preparation for replanting on steep, clear-felled sites.
A specialist contracting company was born in the late 90s, (Mountain Masters) which further established the use in forestry for vegetation control and the construction of mountain bike trails. Slowly, civil engineering contractors started to hire the machines on steep or difficult access terrain where the viability and cost-effectiveness was soon proven.
Fort Augustus District – high above Loch Ness
The first mobile (2wd) machines were purchased, 7.5T Euromach 6500Ms which now incorporated joysticks with button controls for the chassis functions as well as drive to the rear wheels, both features were game-changers!
Euromach 6500M on Creosor Hydro-Electric pipeline installation work 1999
Euromach 8500M working on M4 embankment, nr London
The machines were further deployed on civil engineering projects such as road & rail embankment work throughout the country.
As well as offering the machines for sale in the UK, (The 4000 was sold to a contractor in Scotland) other sales included British contractors abroad, notably in Gibraltar and Spain.
Operator training on site, Gibraltar Water Catchment project, November 2000
Operator training near Malaga, Spain, a tough job but someone had to do it…(2005)
In 2003 the specialist contracting was taken over by one of the partners and the other two, (Doug Guest & Andrew Harker) concentrated on the establishment of Exac-One Ltd, to continue the representation of Euromach srl in the UK (and more recently the USA), alongside the manufacture and sale of excavator attachments. See www.exac-one.co.uk for attachment details.
Black Diamond Restoration LLC
Our point of contact for all USA enquiries is via our partner Eric Blevins of Black Diamond Restoration. Eric is a spider excavator expert who has been involved in the operation of heavy equipment since 1979 who has a wealth of experience in in a variety of terrain across Alaska, Oregon, Idaho and now based in Colorado.
