Compact harvester - best base machine (excavator)?

[LGP Eddie]

Got tagged in so had a read through.

 

The CAT 309 with Hi Flow is now default choice, simply because it runs a genuine extra dedicated hydraulic pump setup to give you a solid 140ltr/min auxiliary flow without eating up the other functions.

CAT are always good on hydraulic pressure too.

All factory fitment so no messing about with priority valves from third party suppliers and invalidating warranty etc.
 

With Two piece boom it would be quite a weapon.

 

The 309 has the larger track frame from the 310, so will be ultra stable.

 

If it’s too big, then Mecalac Mcr as you’ll be able to remove the standard dipper and easily fit a telescopic extension to it.

They have the geometry/stability to make full use of it, and combined with their ability to tow trailers, you’ll have a handy forwarder setup too.

The Mcr are brilliant at carrying anything from a Mulcher to a Winch converted to hydraulic too.

 

JCB have low auxiliary pressure that can easily be resolved, I’ve helped several people overcome this.

I don’t see the same negativity of their current Midi range and rate them myself.

 

 

Eddie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Big J]

29 minutes ago, LGP Eddie said:

Got tagged in so had a read through.

 

The CAT 309 with Hi Flow is now default choice, simply because it runs a genuine extra dedicated hydraulic pump setup to give you a solid 140ltr/min auxiliary flow without eating up the other functions.

CAT are always good on hydraulic pressure too.

All factory fitment so no messing about with priority valves from third party suppliers and invalidating warranty etc.
 

With Two piece boom it would be quite a weapon.

 

The 309 has the larger track frame from the 310, so will be ultra stable.

 

If it’s too big, then Mecalac Mcr as you’ll be able to remove the standard dipper and easily fit a telescopic extension to it.

They have the geometry/stability to make full use of it, and combined with their ability to tow trailers, you’ll have a handy forwarder setup too.

The Mcr are brilliant at carrying anything from a Mulcher to a Winch converted to hydraulic too.

 

JCB have low auxiliary pressure that can easily be resolved, I’ve helped several people overcome this.

I don’t see the same negativity of their current Midi range and rate them myself.

 

 

Eddie.

 

The Cat looks very nice but it's too large unfortunately. 

 

Is the lack of aux pressure on the JCB something they can address in the factory during the build? A Mecalac would be lovely, but is an expensive option, and does look complicated. I am looking for good functionality, but a degree of simplicity too.

 

Thanks for your thoughts

[LGP Eddie]

I’ve had no success with the Factory with regard to the auxiliary pressure, but yes absolutely they can resolve it if you point it out.

 

If you go new with JCB you get a lot of options that can be factory fitted without the hassle of third party involvement or removing/replacing parts, and it can work out considerably cheaper that way.

 

You may be getting ahead of yourself on auxiliary flow though from that size unit.

If you like it, ask for a flow test to be done as there will be a lot of long faces if it’s not pushing out the flow you require for a specific attachment.

 

I never believe brochures from any manufacturers when it comes to power/flows.

 

 

Eddie.

[Big J]

I've seen a number of the small harvester excavators with extending booms, but I guess that not only adds a lot of cost, but also adds weight ot the end of the boom.

 

I did some matrix diagrams and can easily first thin with a 5m reach, so I'm not sure I'd need it. That is contingent on a narrower (ie 6t class, and 2m wide) machine though. 

 

I'm not pretending that such a machine wouldn't have it's limitations. It's aiming at a different market though - landowners that don't want a full sized machine into their stands. Also, most of the woodlands that have potential for such a machine are small (5 hectares) so being able to shift both the forwarder and excavator on one transport helps with the economy of it. 

 

 

[LGP Eddie]

Switching out the standard dipper arm for the telescope of a small timber crane isn’t going to be hugely expensive and could actually be lighter than a standard dipper arm when you take into account the bucket ram and linkage.

Easy to plumb in on the standard bucket service, and a Mecalac would handle it easily.

Trade off in such configuration is you can’t lift/drag yourself about.

[jmac]

How big are the drains in your area big j ? Reason I ask is guy I sub to had an 8 ton hitachi built and he said it was useless as it would disappear in the big ditches up here.

[Big J]

23 minutes ago, jmac said:

How big are the drains in your area big j ? Reason I ask is guy I sub to had an 8 ton hitachi built and he said it was useless as it would disappear in the big ditches up here.

Not too bad generally, and most of the first thinning that I am targetting is planted on virgin farmland.

[steve collins]

kesla have released a new head 14rh designed for first thinnings and max 6ton excavator or the 16rh is for 6-10ton .

 

 

[Adam Phillips]

Adam Phillips from Specialist Plant SW here, great to hear the Mecalac machines being suggested here! Thanks for the great words there @LGP Eddie

 

@Big J    if you are still on the hunt please feel free to give either myself or Graham a call if you want to chat about options around the Mecalac, especially if you are based in Devon as we are your dealer you can find our details at www.spsw.uk

 

We run an 8MCR for alot of forestry type work, this is our previous 6MCR setup:

 

Edited July 3, 2021 by Adam Phillips

[Big J]

14 minutes ago, Adam Phillips said:

Adam Phillips from Specialist Plant SW here, great to hear the Mecalac machines being suggested here! Thanks for the great words there @LGP Eddie

 

@Big J    if you are still on the hunt please feel free to give either myself or Graham a call if you want to chat about options around the Mecalac, especially if you are based in Devon as we are your dealer you can find our details at www.spsw.uk

 

We run an 8MCR for alot of forestry type work, this is our previous 6MCR setup:

 

Thanks for the mention Adam. 

They certainly seem like the dog danglies as far as excavators go, but we're planning to emigrate next year to Sweden, so my need for one down here in Devon is no longer the case. 

 

I'm not discounting the idea of an excavator based harvester for Sweden though.