National Trust

The maintenance of nature trails is always a significant challenge, especially when it comes to protected or difficult-to-access areas such as the South West Coastal Path. In this context, the collaboration between Hinowa and Access Platform Sales marked a turning point in the approach to the conservation and maintenance of these precious tracts of nature in the UK.
 

The South West Coastal Path is one of the longest and most fascinating paths in the UK, stretching over 630 miles along the Devon and Cornwall coasts.
 
This route offers breathtaking views and direct contact with the unspoilt wilderness of the area. However, the maintenance of such an extensive and busy trail presents considerable challenges.
 
The weather, coastal erosion, and constant foot traffic require regular and meticulous interventions to ensure the safety and usability of the path. Furthermore, the need to preserve natural habitats and the species that live in them makes it essential to adopt maintenance methods that respect the environment.
 

It is precisely in such difficult contexts that the best of Hinowa minidumpers comes out. The National Trust, custodian of some of the UK's most beautiful coastal landscapes, has taken on the challenge of maintaining the South West Coastal Path through the use of Hinowa's HS701 minidumpers, supplied by Access Platform Sales.
 
These compact but powerful vehicles were used in Woolacombe, North Devon, to facilitate the transport of materials and the maintenance of footpaths, even the most inaccessible and narrow ones.
 
Stuart Ayres, ranger at the National Trust, said: "Previously we used a tracked wheelbarrow, but it broke down. We thought about replacing it with normal wheelbarrows, but the muscle effort would have been too much, so we looked around. After careful analysis we opted for Hinowa minidumpers."
 
He added: "The feature of Hinowa's HS701 minidumpers is that they are robust, reliable, and very compact, making them ideal for maintenance work on nature trails. In addition, they are easy to use and are currently being used by all the members of my team, even the volunteers!"
 
We find out more about the HS701 minidumpers chosen by Stuart Ayres and his team.
 

As part of the maintenance of complex nature trails such as the South West Coastal Path, the National Trust has chosen to rely on Hinowa's HS701 minidumpers, known for their state-of-the-art technical specifications. Stuart Ayres and his team opted for the standard version of this model, which offers a maximum load capacity of 700 kg and a fixed-height unloading system, ideal for transporting materials along routes.
 
One of the distinctive features of these minidumpers is the extendable tracks that can be hydraulically adjusted from a width of 758 mm up to 1058 mm. This feature allows for greater stability on uneven and sloping terrain, typical of coastal paths. When the tracks are fully closed, the minidumpers are compact enough to traverse even the narrowest paths, making it unnecessary to transfer materials in wheelbarrows to less accessible areas.

Finally, Stuart Ayres said, "Thanks to Hinowa minidumpers, the South West Coastal Path's nature trails will be easier and safer to navigate for all adventurers, with less risk of slips and trips!"
 
The HS701 minidumpers will also be used by staff at West Exmoor and Arlington Court, a nearby National Trust home with extensive gardens.
 
For nature trail maintenance, do as the National Trust does with the South West Coastal Path, contact Hinowa and request a tracked minidumper too!