06 Jul 25
Back in 2023, Murphy Plant made a decision: all new machines joining the fleet would be fitted with the Xwatch XW5 safety system as standard. It was a clear signal that the company’s ‘Never Harm’ value wasn’t just a principle – it was a commitment backed by investment, training, and action.
Fast-forward to today, and that promise is still being delivered – one machine at a time.
The latest addition? A Liebherr R945 crawler excavator – a serious piece of kit, tipping the scales at an operating weight of up to 47 tonnes – now protected by the Xwatch XW5. The system was installed by Xwatch engineer Adam Guilfoyle, bringing height, slew, and RCI (rated capacity indicator) control to one of the heaviest hitters in the Murphy fleet.
For those unfamiliar with the XW5, it’s a fully integrated safety system designed to support both machine and operator. With feather-touch proportional hydraulic control, a simple user interface, and a lifting beacon that provides a clear visual cue when the RCI is engaged, the system allows site managers and supervisors to see—at a glance—if the machine is in lift or dig mode. No guesswork. No compromise.
Murphy Plant manages and maintains over £100 million worth of plant, transport and specialist equipment, supporting major infrastructure projects across the UK as part of J. Murphy & Sons Ltd. Their safety-first approach is embedded at every level, and the Xwatch system has become a core part of that delivery.
Brendan Sugrue, Managing Director of Murphy Plant, was quick to praise the system when the company began its Xwatch rollout in 2023:
“I was genuinely blown away by the system. It was simple to use and there are far more safety features than other products in the market – a lot of innovation has gone into producing the XW5.”
It wasn’t just the hardware that impressed. Murphy Plant operators received on-site familiarisation training directly from the Xwatch team, and several are now qualified to train colleagues in-house – creating a long-term, self-sufficient safety culture across the business.
This latest install shows that the 2023 vision is alive and well. With every new delivery and every new XW5 fitted, Murphy is building a smarter, safer, and more consistent fleet – ready to meet the demands of modern infrastructure projects.
The Liebherr R945 is now ready for site – with the right tech and the right team behind it.
