The donation of a skidsteer, together with a highly-trained operator from Bobcat Equipment South Africa, has allowed a much-needed extension project at the Stepping Stone Hospice & Care Services In-Patient Unit in Alberton get off the ground.
The extension, from an eight-ward unit to a 14-ward unit, is the result of the donation of a 435 m2 second-hand park home, used previously as offices, by Kim Scanell from Grayston Travel, Stepping Stone CEO Tersia Burger explains. Russell Cruickshank from Cornerstone Projects will oversee the transformation of the dilapidated building into a first-class care facility.
However, an unforeseen problem was that the site itself had previously been used as stables, which meant that a 0.5 m layer of compacted compost first had to be removed. Bobcat Marketing Manager Madel Dalla Pria explains that Stepping Stone approached Bobcat about hiring a skidsteer.
“It is a local charity and hospice that relies on donations from the community and surrounding businesses in order to provide a safe and comfortable resting place for terminally-ill individuals,” Dalla Pria explains. It is for this reason that Bobcat took the decision of donating the machine and operator for a day, as opposed to Stepping Stone having to hire the equipment, and therefore run the risk of depleting its limited budget.
“It is both a charitable cause and an important community resource that provides an essential service to people in need. This is why we decided on the donation,” Dalla Pria comments. The highly versatile yet compact S185 skidsteer loader played a critical role in site levelling and preparation for the mooted extension project.
“Stepping Stone was really happy with the donation of the machine and operator, as well as the timeframe in which we were able to complete the project. Initially it thought it would have to hire the machine for a three-day period, but our efficient and friendly operator Elliot Mbongwa completed the project in a single day,” Bernadette Battersby from Bobcat Internal Sales elaborates.
Bobcat Rental GM Vanessa Koszulinski explains that the trustworthy S185 skidsteer used at the Stepping Stone project has recently been upgraded in the form of the S570. This model features a completely re-engineered cab, in addition to superior power and hydraulic performance to get tasks completed quickly and more effectively.
The S570 – in addition to the S530, S590, and T590 – represent the latest vertical lift-path boom skidsteer loaders from Bobcat, with an increased lift height compared to the previous generation, in addition to an optimised lift-arm design that allows operators to lift heavier loads even higher.
This makes it easier to clear high-sided truck boxes and hoppers, as well as placing pallets loaded with heavy materials. The S570 has 20% greater hydraulics for improved attachment performance, increased fuel capacity, more powerful and brighter lighting, among other enhanced features
Burger concludes that Stepping Stone was extremely grateful for the donation of the skidsteer loader and operator from Bobcat, in addition to the highly professional and efficient approach of the entire team. This resulted in the much-needed extension completing its first phase successfully, which encompassed site-levelling. Project completion is anticipated by year-end.
For further information visit www.steppingstonehospice.co.za