Find out what happened when PWPro Editor Jill Park test drove a JCB Backhoe around the Sydney Dragway.
Driving a big digger was something of a dream of mine when taking on the role as Editor of
PWPro. Machinery of this scale can often be spotted on the street or a worksite, but it’s rare to notice it, let alone experience it first hand.
That is until you work in public works. Then you see it everywhere.
One particular sighting saw me watch with awe as an expert driver parallel parked a Backhoe on the busy street outside my work – something I struggle to do in a little car.
After having talked incessantly about my desire to jump behind the wheel of one of these magnificent machines for months, the JCB marketing team came to my rescue.
They sent out an invite via our company Facebook page inviting me along to test drive a digger.
The date was finally set. On Tuesday 28 April, my sales manager and I jumped in the car and drove out to Sydney Dragway to get up close and personal with a JCB Backhoe.
Now, I should tell you that in the days leading up to the event, it rained. It rained HARD. Thankfully on the morning of our day trip, the dark clouds rolled away to reveal glorious sunshine. Were the gods behind my efforts to dig a big hole? I like to think so.
We watched from a distance as a South Australian council Fleet Manager road tested the 3CX Sitemaster Backhoe and compact 300T Compact Track Loader (Skid Steer Loader with tracks), set apart by its side door to allow the driver to safely access and exit the cab. Newly appointed NSW State Manager, David Fletcher watched with us, giving us all the inside track on the machinery.
Finally it was my turn. I won’t lie, when confronted with the reality of driving such a big piece of machinery, my hands began to sweat. Thankfully, I had ever-patient Phil Withell, JCB’s National Compact Equipment Product Manager to talk me through how everything works. As he said with a laugh, ‘don’t be afraid, you can’t break anything’.
At just 5’2”, climbing into the cab of the Backhoe was a feat in itself. As instructed, I made sure to have three points of contact at all times. Once in the seat, I was acquainted with the mechanics and safety measures.
I must say, I wasn’t prepared for the luxury of the cab. With air con full blast and a plush seat to sit on, it was better than most of the cars I’ve driven. However, unlike most of the cars I’ve driven, operating the vehicle requires a dexterity that does not come naturally. Levers go in all directions and respond with pinpoint accuracy so require a smooth touch.
Last year,
JCB walked away with the title of world’s fastest digger
after wowing crowds in Bathurst by reaching speeds of 116.82 kilometers
per hour. Thankfully my vehicle hadn’t been souped-up, but I gave it a
good go round the track.
As I bombed about the field and played at digging a hole from the soil and mulch piles provided for test drivers to get their teeth into, my appreciation for Backhoe operators grew. I had the luxury of my own field to play in, but in the real world operators negotiate other drivers and infrastructure with precision.
So, next time I see an operator on a busy street maneuvering a Backhoe, or some other piece of equipment around, I will pause to admire again. But this time, I may also ask them for a go.
PWPro would like to give a special thanks to JCB Construction Equipment Australia for organising the test drive.