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FAQs
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What areas do you deliver to/operate in?We are a North East-based business, but we operate nationwide across the UK.
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What are your opening/operating hours?Our head office is open from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm on weekdays, but we’re a 24/7 operation able to provide our services day and night. You can contact us here.
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How many vehicles do you have in your fleet?We have a total of 31 vehicles in the 3C fleet, consisting of plant, HGVs and vans.
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Do you work with local authorities for highway maintenance projects?Yes, we tender for highway maintenance projects and have carried out a lot of work on behalf of local and national authorities.
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Can you provide long-term maintenance contracts for highways?Yes. If you have an ongoing highways project that requires one or more of our services, we can provide long-term hire options, including out-of-hours contracts.
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Do you provide emergency highway maintenance services?Yes. All our services are available 24/7 and can be mobilised at short notice. You can contact us here. Or, in the words of Liam Crowe: “Whey aye we can.”
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How much or how little concrete can you supply?From as little as a wheelbarrow or ¼㎥ to as much as your project requires. With a fleet of six 4㎥ to 10㎥ volumetric mixers, we’re able to supply in large volumes.
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What types of concrete do you supply?C15 - C40 ST1 - ST5 FND1 - FND3 GEN1 - GEN3 Or, in the words of Liam Crowe: “All sorts.”
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What is the lead time for concrete delivery?1-3 days, depending on location and availability.
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Can you accommodate last-minute changes to my concrete order?Yes. Our volumetric mixers are programmed on-site to produce the exact amount of concrete required at the time, avoiding any issues with over or under-ordering.
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How do volumetric concrete mixers work and what are their benefits?A volumetric concrete mixer is a mobile mixing truck which is equipped with separate compartments for storing and measuring different ingredients of the concrete mix. When we arrive at a job site, we programme the volumetric mixer to proportion out the ingredients for the specific amount of concrete needed - which is one of their key benefits. They can produce a fresh concrete mix on demand with no more guesswork and wastage, making it a much more sustainable approach to supply. Read more on our blog.
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What safety measures do you take when operating your volumetric mixers?All our operatives are fully trained in the safe use of our volumetric mixers. They also have the relevant tickets needed for operating all our equipment safely, including: Highways Passport Streetworks training/certs Working at heights training/certs Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and concrete sustainability training/certs
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What quality standards does your concrete meet?3C Services Ltd has ISO 9001 certification for the supply of concrete by volumetric mixers. Our customers can trust that we have implemented a rigorous quality management system that ensures the reliability and consistency of our concrete supply - meeting customer and regulatory requirements.
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What is vacuum excavation, and how does it work?Vacuum excavation – also known as suction excavation - is a non-destructive method of excavation that uses high-powered suction to remove soil and other materials from a site. The suction is generated by a vacuum excavation truck, which is equipped with a large tank and a powerful pump. It uses high-pressure air to loosen the soil, which is then sucked into the tank by the vacuum pump. Read more on our blog.
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What size are your vacuum excavators?Our excavators, supplied by RSP UK, have 8㎥ containers, providing excellent loading volume. Or, in the works of Liam Crowe: "They're proper massive."
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At what distance can you operate your vacuum excavators?The hydraulic articulated hose carrier allows excavation at distances of up to six metres and has a swivel range of 180° - specifically designed for a range of different site conditions. Extension hoses can also be used to increase the workable radius around the truck itself. The suction hose is controlled via a remote control handset ensuring maximum safety where space is limited.
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What is the maximum depth you can excavate using vacuum excavation?Our vacuum excavators can reach a depth of up to 20m, depending on their proximity to the excavation site.
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What are the benefits of using vacuum excavation over traditional excavation methods?One of the main advantages of vacuum excavation over more traditional excavation methods is its non-destructive nature. It allows for excavation in sensitive areas without causing damage to underground utilities, like gas mains, electrical cables and water pipes. This method of excavation minimises utility strikes and the delays and costs typically associated with that. It also minimises injury to operatives, who can control the intake nozzle via remote control from a safe distance. Read more on our blog.
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What types of projects are best suited for vacuum excavation?Test holing/potholing to confirm the location of known utilities on construction sites Trenching to expose utilities or lay new pipes and cables Construction excavation, waste removal, transfer and disposal Railway track repairs Safe exposure of tree roots Installation of signs, streetlights and traffic light poles, ensuring precise placement Manhole cleaning Drainage system maintenance
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What safety measures do you take during vacuum excavation operations?All our operatives are fully trained in using our vacuum excavators, which can be operated remotely from a safe distance on-site. They also have the relevant tickets needed for operating all our equipment safely, including: Highways Passport Streetworks training/certs Working at heights training/certs Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and concrete sustainability training/certs
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Do you have any certifications for vacuum excavation?3C Services Ltd has ISO 9001 certification for vacuum excavation services. Our customers can trust that we have implemented a rigorous quality management system that ensures the reliability and consistency of our vacuum excavation services - meeting customer and regulatory requirements.
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How do you dispose of the excavated material?Our vac ex machines can tip on-site, or we can offer a grab service to collect and dispose of the material at our waste transfer station (WTS).
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What materials can your grab wagons collect and dispose of?We can collect and dispose of soil, stone, clay and hardcore with our grab wagons.
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What is the capacity/weight limit of your grab wagons?16 tonne
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How much notice do you need to schedule a grab hire service?1-3 days, depending on location and availability.
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Can you provide grab hire services for both residential and commercial projects?Yes. Our grab wagons can be hired for a half or full day/night and are available self-drive or with operative hire included.
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Do you offer long-term hire options for grab wagons?Yes. As with all of our equipment/services, we can provide long-term grab hire options, including out-of-hours contracts.
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How do you ensure the safe disposal of collected materials?Any material collected via our grab service is disposed of at our waste transfer station (WTS).
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What is a Hiab, and how does it work?A Hiab is a type of lorry-mounted crane used for lifting and transporting heavy loads. It works by using a hydraulic system to extend and manoeuvre the crane arm, allowing it to pick up and move materials onto the lorry bed.
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What types of loads can your Hiab handle?Our Hiab can lift and transport plant, machinery, steelwork and building/construction products. Or, in the words of Liam Crowe: “Heavy ones.”
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What is the lifting capacity of your Hiab vehicle?9 tonne
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Do you provide an operator for Hiab hire, or is it self-operated?Yes. Our Hiab hire includes an experienced operator able to easily load and offload your goods.
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Can Hiab vehicles be used for both loading and transportation?Yes. A Hiab covers both your lifting and transportation requirements, keeping costs and logistics to a minimum.
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Can you provide long-term Hiab hire options?Yes. As with all of our equipment/services, we can provide long-term Hiab hire options, including out-of-hours contracts.
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What types of plant equipment do you offer for hire?Excavators Rollers Tractors Dumpers Telehandlers Road sweepers Beavertails
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Is your plant equipment available for both short-term and long-term hire?Yes. Both short-term and long-term hire are available for plant equipment to suit your project requirements.
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Do you provide operators for your plant equipment, or is it self-operated?Both options are available for plant hire. You can either self-operate or request an operator if needed.
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What are the delivery and collection options for plant hire equipment?“Either we deliver or you collect. It’s as easy as that.” - Liam Crowe
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What safety and maintenance checks are performed on your plant equipment?All our equipment is inspected and maintained by our sister company, TCS Plant & Commercial.
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Do you offer training for operating your plant equipment?We include a familiarisation session for all plant equipment to ensure you are comfortable with it and know how to operate it correctly. Please note that this is not formal or certified training. You are responsible for the safe use of the equipment during your hire.
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What happens if the hired plant equipment breaks down on-site?In the unlikely event that this should happen, one of our fitters will come to site to fix the issue asap. Or, in the words of Liam Crowe: “Blame the fitters.”
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