EvoQuip Colt 1000 screen makes an impact

Latest addition to fleet proves to be a versatile all-rounder for Lancashire base plant hire firm

P&L Barton Ltd started out in 1972 when Peter Barton invested in his first digger, a JCB 3C, and set up P Barton Plant Hire. Today, almost 50 years later, P&L Barton Ltd remain a family-run business but the company now works on a vast array of projects, providing plant and services on a sub-contract or hire-only basis to the construction, groundwork, civil engineering, quarrying, recycling and haulage industries, with clients ranging from private households and businesses to local councils and large multinationals.

Based in Carnforth, Lancashire, P&L Barton operate a diverse selection of modern equipment and in recent years EvoQuip machines have become part of the fleet. The company took delivery of its first EvoQuip Colt 1000 from Blue Central in June this year, and since then the machine has been on hire contacts in multiple configurations to suit the needs of various job sites.

One recent application involved the production of limestone walling stone for a regular client where limited space was an issue. P&L Barton reconfigured the Colt 1000 so that both conveyors discharged out of the same side into segregated areas, maximizing use of the available space, eliminating double handling and demonstrating the versatility of the machine.

Commenting on the Colt’s performance, Richard Barton, plant manager at P&L Barton, said: ‘The Colt 1000 is the perfect machine for us due to its flexibility. Suited to both scalping and fine screening, having the ability to quickly convert from a three-way to a two-way split, and being able to swap conveyor configurations means it’s suitable for many applications and job sites.

‘In the short time that we have owned the Colt 1000, the machine has worked on various projects. We have been able to run the machine in a two-way split configuration on one project, then convert it so that mids and fines are discharged on the same side on a really compact site, and in standard set-up on another site. With the range of media options available, I don’t think there is any job it can’t do,’ said Mr Barton.