U.S. Navy Prepositioning Ship To Deliver Two JCB 3CX Backhoe Loaders And Disaster Relief Supplies To Haiti

Two 3CX Backhoes ready to depart from JCB Headquarters in Savannah, GA. Click on the image to see more pictures.

Late Monday night two 3CX backhoe loaders donated by JCB began their trip to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The two backhoe loaders were transported to Jacksonville, FL. where they met up with the U.S. Navy Maritime Prepositioning Ship USN 1st Lt Jack Lummus.  The Prepositioning Ship loaded their cargo in Jacksonville, FL., on the 18th  and 19th in support of the international disaster relief efforts in Haiti.  The Prepositioning departed Jacksonville, FL., on the evening of Jan. 19th en-route to Haiti, with an expected arrival date of Jan. 22nd.

The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command Maritime Prepositioning Ship USNS 1st LT Jack Lummus

“The Marine Corps is providing cargo to support the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit as it gives humanitarian assistance to the people of Haiti. The cargo includes dump trucks, bulldozers and other heavy equipment. The Marine Corps is also providing electrical generators, water purification units, lumber and building materials, and limited medical supplies.”

“In addition, the Army is providing three containers of port opening equipment, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing four medical resupply vehicles and more than 90 pallets of relief supplies, including kitchenware and plastic sheeting. The U.S. government is also providing containers carrying 24,000 gallons of gasoline and 24,000 gallons of diesel fuel.”

The two backhoe loaders were made available to the US Government and its aid agencies, which are taking a leading role in the relief effort on the Caribbean island. The earthquake, measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale, has damaged the port and has created a number of logistical challenges hindering supplies entering the nation.

via Navy prepositioning ship to deliver humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies to Haiti.

JCB Donates $150,000 Worth Of Equipment To Haiti Quake Disaster

JCB's Donated backhoe loaders prepare to leave for Haiti

JCB, the world’s third largest manufacturer of construction equipment, is donating equipment worth $150,000 to help the disaster relief effort in Haiti following the devastating earthquake that is feared to have killed tens of thousands of people.

The gift of two 3CX backhoe loaders is being made by JCB Chairman Sir Anthony Bamford in response to an appeal from relief agencies for foreign aid.

Sir Anthony Bamford said: “The scale of the devastation is unimaginable and it’s heart-rending to see the human suffering caused by the disaster. There is clearly a lack of equipment on the island and I hope our gift of JCB machines will help in some small way to alleviate that suffering and in the rebuilding in the aftermath of the earthquake.”

The machines are being made available to the US Government and its aid agencies, which are taking a leading role in the relief effort on the Caribbean island. The earthquake, measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale, has damaged the port and has created a number of logistical challenges hindering supplies entering the nation.

John Patterson, Chairman and CEO of JCB Inc., says, “We are working with the State Department with the help of the Georgia delegation and their staff on the Hill. We want utilize the most efficient channels available to ensure that the machines reach the agencies and the people that need them. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti.”

The contribution to the aid effort follows a series of other JCB machinery donations in recent years to other parts of the world hit by natural disasters, including the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan province in China, when six backhoe loaders worth over $600,000 and a team of operators were sent from the company’s factory in Shanghai to help the clear-up effort in the region.

JCB also donated machines worth more than $2 million to help in the aftermath of the Asian Tsunami in 2004, with JCB diggers deployed to Thailand, southern India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

Last year the company donated an excavator and a backhoe loader worth $250,000 to help the disaster relief effort in the city of Padang following the devastating earthquake that struck off the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

Quick Tip

Grease the loadall inner boom hoses every 500 hours.

JCB HMEE’s Are The Newest Recruits Of The Royal New Zealand Army

Brand New HMEE's waiting to be shipped to New Zealand.

JCB HMEE’s are the newest recruits of the Royal New Zealand Army. Six green HMEE’s recently rolled down the Savannah line to fulfill an order placed by the Royal New Zealand Army. The machines represent the first HMEE’s ordered by the NZ Army and as such, the nation sent three officials to inspect and receive the machines.

Major Theo Alexopoulos, an officer in the Logistics regiment, was chosen by the NZ Army as project manager in charge of securing and introducing the HMEE to the New Zealand forces. Major Alexopoulos had not seen a HMEE prior to his trip to Savannah but was familiar with JCB’s world leading 4CX. The NZ Army currently uses the military version of the 4CX and they have been very happy with the performance. Hearing of all the increased capabilities the HMEE offers, the group was excited to experience the machine first hand. “The HMEE gives us a huge range of options that we didn’t have before. The combination of the crew protection and the speed will enable us to keep up with our striker company group, which is something we have never been able to do”, says Alexopoulos.

John Webb, Major Theo Alexopoulos, and WOI Bruce Allen

The group was very impressed with their new machines, but felt there was one thing missing. Major Alexopoulos asked if JCB would be able to customize the machines and make them distinctive to New Zealand. JCB was happy to comply and tattooed Kiwis on the hoods of the 6 machines.

“JCB is a world class organization. I came here with a good impression of JCB and after meeting with the team and seeing the operation in action, I have even greater respect for JCB,” says Major Alexopoulos. The green HMEEs emblazoned with Kiwis are scheduled to deploy down-under in January.

Quick Tip

Apply waxoil to the Loadall boom wearpad runways every 500 hours.