All new Komatsu excavators added to the JN Bentley fleet in the UK have been fitted with Xwatch safety systems.
Xwatch is the safety solution that has revolutionised the safety market for mining, transportation and civil industries.
JN Bentley, part of the global Mott MacDonald Group, has added 13 new Komatsu excavators to its fleet, each fitted with the Xwatch XW5 system.
The order marks the next stage in the contractor’s wider investment program and confirms that all new excavators entering the fleet will now be equipped with Xwatch to give operators direct control, while cutting exposure to high-energy hazards.
Supplied by Marubeni-Komatsu, the UK distributor for Komatsu, the new machines – delivered early this year – follow JN Bentley’s 2024 decision to move away from a competitor’s safety system in favour of a more advanced and practical alternative.
That first phase saw 20 Komatsu machines fitted with an integrated Xwatch and Leica Geosystems 3D Collision Avoidance solution – a system particularly suited to the high-risk environments of the utilities sector.
With more than 2500 employees and projects worth more than £500 million annually, JN Bentley has built a reputation for embedding safety at every level.
The move to Xwatch was driven by operator feedback and a need for reliable, user-friendly control systems that reduce exposure to high-energy hazards on site.
JN Bentley director Dean Holmes said the company was continually seeking ways to invest in technology and equipment that not only ensured the safety of its people, but also simplified tasks for its plant operators and site-based teams.
“Last year, we identified that the Xwatch System would significantly improve our current offerings compared to our incumbent supplier and other available systems,” he said.
“We are now installing the Xwatch system on all new excavators entering our fleet, as we believe XW5 provides a robust direct control to help minimise our workforce’s exposure to high-energy hazards.”
The system creates a defined working area around the excavator. It monitors and restricts the machine’s height, slew (side-to-side movement), and lifting capacity, making sure the excavator stays within safe limits at all times.
This helps protect both the operator and the site – whether the machine is working near overhead hazards, in tight spaces, or lifting heavy loads.
The system’s flexibility allows it to be deployed across a range of project types and environments.
The XW5 uses electric-over-hydraulic integration and feather-touch proportionality to deliver accurate control in real-time.
Movement restrictions can be configured to suit each job, reducing risk while maintaining efficiency – an important balance for JN Bentley’s diverse civil and utility project portfolio.
Xwatch Sales and Operations Manager Jemma Dycer Hopkins said JN Bentley was a brilliant example of a contractor that took safety seriously and invested consistently.
“Whether it’s the full 3D solution for high-risk utility work or a more streamlined setup for general use, they’ve shown real leadership – and it’s been a pleasure working alongside them and the team at Marubeni-Komatsu to support that approach,” she said.
Xwatch engineer Tom Dacosta carried out all of the latest installations, with the new machines now commissioned and ready for live sites.
With further units expected later in the year, JN Bentley is setting a clear standard for safety-led procurement, backed by trusted partnerships and practical technology.
XW5 overview
- Height control
Operation is failsafe and fully automatic with function selection never more than two key presses away.
All potential machine high points are monitored and appropriate motions controlled.
Full power is always available to move away from a limit, while motions are controlled with ramped slowdown on approach and soft-stop.
There is no machine ‘bounce’, overshoot, or undershoot. An optional chassis sensor can be installed to correct for terrain slope.
- Slew control
Single/dual parallel wall or angular limitation are available.
When walls are in use, the front end equipment is also monitored and controlled for limit breach.
Limits can be either manually keyed in or set by positioning the machine. If both limits are active, the system will automatically flip to the appropriate display should a hazard approach occur.
Set-up is simple, quick, and can be protected with an optional access key switch. All settings are retained and will be active on start-up.
- Rated Capacity Indicator (RCI)
RCI is a rated capacity indicator that ensures the safe operation of lifting equipment throughout the machine’s working envelope.
The system continually measures the height, radius and load on the machine, allowing operators to work at the maximum lifting capacity whilst remaining within the machine’s safe working load (SWL).
XW5 in Australia
In Australia, the XW5 is available from Xwatch Safety Australia, which has been formed under the safety banner of geospatial solutions leader C.R. Kennedy to distribute Xwatch products.
By combining Xwatch’s safety technologies with C.R. Kennedy’s positioning expertise, the partnership offers:
- Enhanced safety: Advanced systems to monitor and control machinery operations, reducing the risk of accidents.
- Improved efficiency: Seamless integration of safety features with existing equipment to streamline operations.
- Comprehensive support: Access to C.R. Kennedy’s national network for training, service, and technical assistance.
Xwatch Australia General Manager, Nick Leith, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing construction safety standards in Australia.
“This collaboration integrates Xwatch’s advanced safety systems with C.R. Kennedy’s expertise in geospatial technology, offering comprehensive solutions for the construction industries,” he said.
“We have several offices in Australia, with head office and main warehouse in Melbourne, and branch offices and warehouses in Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Perth, Hobart, Darwin and Sydney.
“Contact any of them for more information on the Xwatch products.”