Page 65 - HUB-4 Issue 98

Hillhead 2026 Preview
Introducing a
World-First
Test Facility
Hillhead 2026 will mark a major milestone for
Plant Parts as we officially introduce The Rig —
our world-first hydraulic motor testing facility —
to the industry.
Visitors to Stand PD1 will have the opportunity to learn more
about the most significant investment in our company’s 30+
year history: a purpose-built facility developed specifically for
Swing Drive and Final Drive hydraulic motors.
After years of planning, collaboration and engineering
development, The Rig represents an investment of around £1
million and reinforces our commitment to raising standards
across hydraulic motor repair, testing and reliability.
What Makes The Rig Different?
Unlike conventional hydraulic test rigs adapted from pump
systems, The Rig has been designed entirely around motors. At
its core is a state-of-the-art electronic dynamometer,
combined with a fully electronic fixed structure and
regenerative capability, allowing us to carry out highly
accurate testing under genuine operating loads.
The facility is capable of testing motors from 18cc to 340cc,
with load testing up to 132kW. More importantly, it enables
us to simulate real-world working conditions and validate
performance directly against OEM specifications — something
rarely available within the UK market.
For customers operating in demanding sectors such as
quarrying, mining, demolition and waste management,
reliability is critical. Downtime is costly, and confidence in
repaired components matters more than ever. The Rig has
been developed to address exactly that challenge.
Raising Standards in Repair and Testing
Rather than relying solely on functional or batch testing, every
repaired motor can now be tested under load before leaving
our workshop. This gives customers complete confidence that
repaired units are performing as expected before they are
returned to service.
The facility also delivers fully automated single-operator
testing alongside advanced data acquisition and detailed
performance reporting, providing greater transparency and
traceability throughout the repair process.
Developing The Rig has not been without challenges. From
overcoming supply chain pressures to achieving the level of
precision required for regenerative capability, the project has
pushed both engineering and operational boundaries. The
result positions Plant Parts among a very small number of
European suppliers capable of offering this level of specialist
hydraulic motor testing.
Visit Us at Hillhead 2026
Hillhead provides the ideal platform to showcase what The
Rig means not only for our business, but for the wider
industry. Visitors to the stand will be able to speak directly
with our team about the thinking behind the project, the
Stand PD1
technical capabilities involved and the practical benefits it
offers to equipment owners and operators.
Alongside The Rig, we’ll also be discussing our wider repair
and replacement solutions, as well as the partnerships that
continue to strengthen our offering across the sector.
And, as always, there will be a lighter side to the stand too,
including our popular competition to win a LEGO kit by
guessing the weight of our bespoke drive coffee table.
Contact Plant Parts
Visit us at Stand PD1 at Hillhead 2026
Contact the team to arrange a visit or discuss your
requirements 01473 820 910
Visit our website and social channels for updates, videos and
behind-the-scenes content from The Rig www.plantparts.com
We look forward to welcoming visitors to Stand PD1 and
sharing the next chapter of The Rig story.
www.hub-4.com May/June - Issue 98
| p65 |