Dumpers that deliver

Across the UK, demand for infrastructure and utilities work continues to grow. From power distribution upgrades to large-scale water schemes, contractors are under increasing pressure to deliver quickly, safely and efficiently.

For Buckhurst Plant Hire, meeting that demand means investing in the right equipment at the right time.

The company has added more than 100 new JCB machines to its fleet, with a major focus on site dumpers, alongside Loadall telescopic handlers and X Series excavators. The investment reflects both the scale of upcoming work and a long-standing relationship with JCB that stretches back to the very start of the business.

Founded in 1993 by the Walsh family, Buckhurst has grown from a small yard with a handful of machines into a nationwide operation with six depots and more than 3,000 assets available for hire. Today, it supports customers across multiple sectors, with a strong presence in utilities and infrastructure projects.

Eighty ways to move more

At the centre of this latest investment is a substantial addition of JCB site dumpers, reinforcing their role as one of the most relied-upon machines on modern construction sites.

From compact 1-tonne machines for confined urban environments to larger 9-tonne cabbed models for bulk material movement, the expanded dumper fleet gives Buckhurst the flexibility to support a wide range of customer requirements.

Chairman John Walsh explains:
“We’re constantly looking at how we can best support our customers across different sectors, and this latest investment gives us the flexibility to do exactly that.

“These machines will be working across a wide range of applications, particularly in power distribution and AMP 8 water schemes, where reliability and performance are absolutely critical.”

Day-one trust

Buckhurst’s relationship with JCB is one that spans decades.

“The business actually started with a JCB 3CX and tractor winches, so JCB has been part of our story from day one,” says John.

“That experience gives us real confidence in the brand. The machines are tried and tested in the sectors we operate in, and they’re consistently well received by our operators.”

That familiarity, combined with strong dealer support, continues to play an important role.

“We’ve worked closely with Andy Purcell for many years and built a very good working relationship. Having that level of support and understanding of our business makes a real difference when we’re making investment decisions of this scale.”

Designed to deliver

JCB site dumpers have been developed with a clear focus on safety, ease of operation and productivity - all critical factors for hire fleets operating across multiple sectors.

Features such as excellent all-round visibility, including low skip heights and carefully designed operator positions, help improve on-site awareness and safety. A permanent four-wheel drive system and articulated chassis provide strong traction and stability, even in challenging ground conditions, while intuitive controls make the machines easy to operate for users of all experience levels.

For larger models, cabbed options offer increased operator comfort and protection, helping to maintain productivity across longer shifts and in more demanding environments.

This combination of safety, simplicity and performance is particularly important for utilities and infrastructure work, where site conditions can change quickly and machines must perform reliably day in, day out.

Alongside the dumpers, JCB Loadall telescopic handlers provide efficient material handling, while the 220X tracked excavators deliver the power and durability required for heavier groundwork operation - creating a balanced fleet capable of supporting complex projects from start to finish.

Perfectly poised

With a strong pipeline of infrastructure work ahead, Buckhurst’s latest investment ensures it is well positioned to support customers across the UK.

For John Walsh, the decision to continue investing in JCB is a straightforward one.

“We know what we’re getting with JCB. The machines deliver the performance we need, our operators are comfortable using them, and the support we receive is excellent. That combination gives us the confidence to keep investing as the business continues to grow.”

As infrastructure demand grows, the need for reliable, productive equipment has never been greater. For Buckhurst, this investment is about ensuring that standard across every job, every site and every customer.

And with 80 new JCB dumpers that deliver at the core of its fleet, Buckhurst is perfectly poised to stand out on site.