JN Bentley, part of the Mott MacDonald Group, has added 13 new Komatsu excavators to its fleet, each fitted with the Xwatch XW5 hazard detection system.
The order marks the next stage in the contractor鈥檚 wider investment programme and confirms that all new excavators entering the fleet will now be equipped with Xwatch.
Supplied by Marubeni-Komatsu, the new machines follow JN Bentley鈥檚 2024 decision to move away from the Prolec safety system in favour of the Xwatch. That first phase saw 20 Komatsu machines fitted with an integrated Xwatch and Leica Geosystems 3D Collision Avoidance to help its work in the utilities sector.
The move to Xwatch was driven by operator feedback and a need for reliable, user-friendly control systems that reduce exposure to high-energy hazards on site, it said.
JN Bentley director Dean Holmes said: 鈥淲e are continually seeking ways to invest in technology and equipment that not only ensures the safety of our people but also simplifies tasks for our plant operators and site-based teams. Last year, we identified that the Xwatch System would significantly improve our current offerings compared to our incumbent supplier and other available systems. We are now installing the Xwatch system on all new excavators entering our fleet, as we believe XW5 provides a robust direct control to help minimise our workforce鈥檚 exposure to high-energy hazards.鈥�
The Xwatch XW5 creates a defined working area around the excavator. It monitors and restricts the machine鈥檚 height, slew and lifting capacity to keep excavator within safe limits at all times.
Xwatch sales and operations manager Jemma Dycer Hopkins said: 鈥淛N Bentley is a brilliant example of a contractor that takes safety seriously and invests consistently. Whether it鈥檚 the full 3D solution for high-risk utility work or a more streamlined setup for general use, they鈥檝e shown real leadership 鈥� and it鈥檚 been a pleasure working alongside them and the team at Marubeni-Komatsu to support that approach.鈥�
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