XWatch expands UK dealer network

(Photo: Xwatch)

Xwatch, the specialist in movement restriction systems for construction equipment, has expanded its UK distribution network with the appointment of dealer Sphere24.

Based in the southwest of the country, Sphere 24 provides productivity technology and accessories products to the off-highway plant sector.

The new partnership will see it provide Xwatch’s XWSeries of products, including the XW1, XW2, XW3, XW4, XW5 and XWTele height and slew systems.

Designed for use with construction equipment including excavators, telehandlers and special purpose machines such as lorry-mounted cranes, XWSeries products monitor and control the equipment’s working height.

This allows operators to set height limits suitable for the site conditions, which helps to improve site safety and productivity. 

Chris Trent, Managing Director at Sphere 24, said, “The Xwatch systems are being asked for more and more and are fast becoming the brand leader – we consider Xwatch the Land Rover of the industry.

“It’s competitively priced and it’s simple to use - ease of operation is an important consideration, particularly for machines entering the hire sector, where they may have many different operators from around the globe.”

According to Trent, the most popular of the systems is the XWA, but “where cost is not an issue” other customers are investing in the more comprehensive XW5.

“The XW5 offers a total safe working envelope around the machine and operator enabling the control of the machine’s height, slew, and rated capacity indication,” said Trent.

“However some customers ask for the most basic height restriction, but with H&S regulations as they are – this would not be accepted on a tier one contractor site.”

As well as helping to develop height and slew systems for MEWPs with Nationwide Platforms, Sphere also offers the Xwatch XW4-LMC for lorry-mounted cranes. (Photo: Xwatch)

The new partnership deal follows a recent collaboration between Xwatch and Sphere24, which saw the companies develop aerial platform height and slew control safety systems for Loxam Group and Nationwide Platforms.

Speaking of the MEWP Height & Slew Limiters, Chris said, “There were existing solutions for height and slew control on MEWPs available but are very basic and far too limiting to be practical in operation on a job site, therefore would not meet the required safety standards set by tier one contractors.”

Dan Leaney, Xwatch Sales and Operations Director Dan, added, “One of the key things we found over the years is if it is hard to use a safety system, the operators will not use it because it takes too long for them to set and move and then reset.

“We have designed our systems to be very simple with just a few pushes of buttons necessary – we hope that combining improved comfort with ease of use will better encourage operators to utilize the safety technology on a regular basis.”