Since its launch in 2014, the JD-1400E – the largest hydraulic crawler rig in the three-model SOOSAN Cebotics range supplied locally by JMH Equipment – has established itself as the top seller, outperforming the smaller JD-800E and JD-1300E models. In fact, says Holtzhausen, the JD-1400E accounts for about 80% of JMH Equipment’s sales.
However, sales of the JD-1300E have gained momentum this year, with three new units recently delivered to customers. “Traditionally, we have always kept one or two units of the JD-1300E because sales were generally slow. However, we have started seeing increased interest in this model, with units recently supplied to some of the prominent companies in the quarrying sector,” he says.
Market drivers
According to Holtzhausen, the growing sales of the JD-1300E are in line with signs of improvement in South Africa’s aggregates sector. The industry is showing signs of stabilisation, supported in part by public infrastructure repair and road rehabilitation.
The latest Afrimat Construction Index (ACI), covering the second quarter of 2026, provides further evidence of improving activity. The index increased by 5% quarter on quarter, while the volume of building materials produced rose by 8,5%. Real sales of building materials also increased by 7% compared with the first quarter. Although activity levels remain subdued, the latest figures point to improving conditions across several key construction indicators.
With a 76-115 mm hole range, the JD-1300E is particularly well suited to quarrying applications. In small- to medium-sized aggregate quarries, maintaining manageable burden and spacing is essential. Hole diameters in the 76-115 mm range can provide a balance between effective rock fragmentation and the generation of excessive oversize material or fines.
Quarrying operations typically require a step up from light construction drilling, but do not necessarily require the large drilling diameters associated with major opencast mining operations. The mid-range JD-1300E therefore occupies an important position between these applications, offering a practical solution for standard aggregate operations.
“The JD-1300E continues to prove its mettle in quarrying. Customers are particularly happy with the price of the machine. Compared with high-end, heavily computerised counterparts, the SOOSAN Cebotics range is priced more competitively, lowering upfront acquisition costs,” says Holtzhausen.
Meeting customer expectations
Fuel efficiency is another area in which customers are expressing satisfaction. The Auto Throttle Mechanism automatically adjusts engine output to match active flushing and drilling operations, helping to reduce fuel consumption during lighter loads. The machine also uses an on/off switch for the compressor, minimising unnecessary fuel consumption during idle or non-drilling periods.
The machine features a simplified mechanical design, powered by a high-output Cummins diesel engine and paired with efficient piston pumps to reduce power losses. Actual hourly fuel consumption, however, depends on a range of operating factors, including load conditions, rock hardness and duty cycles.
Another advantage is the commonality of components across the SOOSAN Cebotics range. Parts similarity, or component interchangeability, is a key aspect of the design philosophy. For example, about 80% of the parts used on the JD-1300E and the larger JD-1400E are interchangeable.
This can help reduce spare-parts inventory requirements. Rather than maintaining completely separate inventories for each drill model, operators can consolidate a significant proportion of their spares, potentially simplifying parts management and reducing associated costs.
Simple machine
The growth of the SOOSAN Cebotics range also reflects what Holtzhausen describes as a continued demand for simple, straightforward production machines in the quarrying sector. Discussions with customers at the recently concluded Electra Mining Africa highlighted simplicity as one of the notable trends in the market.
“Despite the apparent move towards high-tech machinery in mining, we continue to see a significant and enduring need for simple drills in quarrying. Simple, mechanical production machines remain essential for reliability, ease of maintenance and cost control,” says Holtzhausen.
The SOOSAN Cebotics range is built around a simple, straightforward and durable design, aimed at reducing the risk of failures in demanding operating environments. This ‘simplicity approach’ also makes the machines easier and faster to maintain, an important consideration when it comes to minimising downtime and controlling operating costs.
“There is a growing demand for machinery that is less complex and costs less to operate, particularly where specialised, premium machines are not necessary for the job. The quarrying environment is often demanding, requiring machines that are rugged and reliable. In the case of SOOSAN Cebotics, this is best achieved through straightforward engineering,” says Holtzhausen.
The SOOSAN Cebotics hydraulic crawler drills, he adds, are easy to maintain and cost-effective to operate. Their predominantly mechanical layout, with limited reliance on complex electronic systems, simplifies troubleshooting and maintenance, helping quarries and mines reduce downtime and keep operating costs under control.
Based on the current market trajectory and expectations of continued recovery in construction, Holtzhausen anticipates further traction for the JD-1300E next year. Several units are already in the sales pipeline, he says, with further orders expected as activity in the quarrying sector continues to improve.
