HGM Construction recently put its long reach excavator setup to work at Port Hills Ponds in Christchurch. The project provided a practical demonstration of how this specialist equipment can support pond, waterway and difficult-access earthworks.

Fitted to a 13-ton excavator, the long reach boom provides up to 13.5 metres of reach. This allows our operators to work across a wider area while keeping the excavator positioned on stable ground where site conditions allow.

The long reach excavator is well suited to clearing weed and silt from ponds and waterways. Its extended reach also makes it a useful option for dredging and for trimming banks above or below the excavator.

The setup can support a range of specialist construction and maintenance tasks, including:

• Clearing weed and silt from ponds and waterways
• Dredging
• Trimming and shaping banks
• Anchor drilling above or below the excavator
• Rock riprap placement for erosion protection and bank stabilisation

By reaching further from one position, the machine can help reduce the need to move equipment around challenging areas. The most suitable approach will depend on access, ground conditions and the requirements of each site.

The work at Port Hills Ponds shows how the right equipment can simplify projects involving water, steep banks and restricted access. HGM Construction combines specialist machinery with experienced operators and practical planning to deliver safe and efficient results.

Watch the video to see the long reach excavator at work at Port Hills Ponds.

If you have an upcoming pond, waterway, dredging or bank stabilisation project in Christchurch or the wider Canterbury region, talk to the HGM Construction team about the requirements of your site.