John Burke from SG Hire & Sales has been dealing with Kanga Mini Loaders for about 10 years now. His most recent models, a tracked and a wheeled 8 series loader, have been great assets to his business. Especially the Kanga tracks have exceeded his expectations, as they have lasted him 2000 hours. We decided to dig a bit deeper and ask him a few questions.
Tell us about yourself and your current business?
“For the past 3 years I have owned and hired out two Kanga 8 Series Loaders, a wheeled and a tracked loader. They work great and have been popular amongst customers. It is a great machine for its size and weight.
At SG Hire & Sales we hire out various machines from excavators to skid steers and mini loaders – only the top range of machines, so I did my research and have been very happy with the Kangas, they certainly haven’t disappointed me and even exceeded my expectations.
The Kangas mainly get hired for construction and residential work, DIY stuff, gardening, cutting trenches, etc. We hire them out together with trenchers, augers, bucket whole range, rotary hoes.“
What is the main difference in the application of the Kanga tracks and wheeled machines, based on your experience?
“Both Kanga tracks and wheels are very user friendly and have the same response for all movements. We like to remind our customers of ‘ground appreciation’ as we call it – you should always be aware of the conditions and object around you. Avoid screwing around on the machine. For example, instead of doing a 180-degree turn, work stationary and avoid hitting hard objects, which may risk breaking the beat of the tyre.
The Kanga tracks system is great and can be very durable, if used correctly and looked after well. We got 2000 hours out of our last set of tracks, which is exceptional. The system is very user friendly and has a great response to movements.
Generally, we recommend using the tracked Kanga mini loader for trenching, as it is sturdy and brings a lot of power to penetrate the ground.If you are skidding around and using the loader for a lot of bucket work, we generally recommend the wheeled loader, as the track-over-wheel system will tend to wear more, if not used correctly and with too much motion in sand/rock and dirt.
Additionally, people should be mindful of their tyre pressure and carry out regular checks. Over time the chain on the tracks will need adjustment to avoid gaps and ensure it functions well.”
What are important factors to consider when choosing a machine for the hire industry?
“When hiring out machinery, you need to be aware that some inexperienced users will be operating the machines. For us it is important to educate the customer and familiarise them with the loaders. The secret to our longevity is also choosing the right machine for the right job, for example wheeled loader for heavy bucket work and a tracked loader for trenching, as mentioned earlier.
Our Kanga’s get used up to 500-600 hours per year. So, good after-sales support is essential. I’ve had about 6 Kanga’s over the past 8-10 years and have been dealing with Kanga staff on a regular basis and they have always provided great customer service.”
Find out more about tracks and wheels here.
