LGP Eddie

The problem with tickets is they absolutely don’t sort the wheat from the chaff. All you end up with is a Carded workforce and when everyone lays their cards on the table at the Induction, the absolute base starting point of that Site is that All present have managed to gain a card of some form. How they managed to gain them is another story altogether! Everyone knows that from simply turning up paying some cash for a few photos and signatures with ticket arriving in the post, to going the whole hog and being properly trained/ assessed by a professional is out there, and the guys around the table will have used varying methods. The Card is simply a Ticket to get you on site, nothing more, absolutely no relevance to your skills in my eyes until you’ve proved your worth on site. That goes for Managers, Black Hats etc too. I don’t care what colour your card is, if you bought it dodgy and couldn’t run a bath, you’re going to get found out real quick! The one thing that lacks in nearly every project I get called into is an old school Foreman. They were the guys who decided if you were any good or not, took the youngsters under their wing, allocating them tasks to suit their experience and ability, allowed experienced guys to get on with it and put any chancers up the road. How you ever get an Independent way of providing realistic assessments for guys to work towards, then finally achieve to prove their worth and hopefully reap a higher reward is the hard bit? You could for example get Steve to start an Arbtalk Scheme, then build a set of skill levels/tickets to achieve. Run assessments with a group of experienced guys from the Industry and make it bloody hard to pass so the Ticket has some worth. I’d rather a couple of experienced guys I respected from the industry came out to watch me Operate a machine on site. Sat down and told me where I needed to brush up on my skills, and then book myself on a proper assessment by a selected group of my peers if I was deemed ready to take a shot at it. It would give me some goals to work towards with the hope that prospective employers can see I’m trying to be the best I can be and hopefully achieve more reward. If only smaller percentage ever pass because they actually have the skills to achieve it, and it’s recognised as the absolute industry benchmark, start throwing that down on the table at the Induction and you’ll get a nod of recognition. Eddie.

Tajfun for me, but all depends on the applications. My 6.5 tonne Tajfun was the go to winch against a top spec double drum Igland for a few reasons. The Tajfun cable is absolute quality as standard, easy to handle, resists kinking and damage well until the usual idiots get hold of it and hook it back on itself. The Tajfun power outfeed unit is excellent, making it easy to handle the cable and keeping a nice bit of tension on it when spooling back in. You can just flick the remote for a short burst of cable or lock it in for continuous feed when you’re doing something like walking back down a steep slope with it. Ignore the recommendation to spool out all the cable and wind it back under tension at your peril. Greg and myself could run the Tajfun no issues, but again the seat fillers would just use and use it until it would jam up and not pay out properly. It’s only a few minutes to get the cable out and either spool the Tractor back against something or drag something back in. We normally just hooked a machine bucket to the cable and it provided a nice bit of tension as it dragged back in. I may be wrong, but only Tajfun as I’m aware have the brilliant auto stop feature. If you’re winding back in with the remote you can do so in confidence that you’ll do no damage and the winch will stop at the correct point. Lastly if you go with the 6.5 tonne, and trust me it’s got some guts, drags Tractors about for fun, you can then use the brilliant Tajfun 13 tonne lightweight snatch blocks, ticking the compliance boxes without carrying something huge about on site. I don’t think Tajfun do twin 6.5 tonne, but it they did that would be a perfect choice. Eddie.

No but why should you have all the additional costs when nobody else needs to, and intensifiers will slow the cycle time considerably. The main functions of the JCB 85z are running at 280Bar, they’ve just decided to set the Auxiliary at 190Bar and back to the original point it’s not enough for Tree Shear work. I’ve said before guys need to get pressure check and optimised to the Shear for optimum performance. Many like Kubota need a tweak unless you’re using a TMK Shear where you can order a ram specific to your machines pressure. JCB fall down badly in available solutions, so people are best doing their own homework. Eddie.

There’s only a Cut function on most Intermercato. 190 Bar you won’t cut 4” material Eddie.

Try a CAT 308 v JCB 85z Remember an Intermercato Shear will require 250 Bar. The problem is the solution or lack of. Eddie.

A lot of lads went this route for their CPCS tickets, might be worth looking into!? Eddie

Sorry, I’d like to think I do my bit when it comes to sharing information. This one is different, it’s a straightforward heads up for guys to do their homework if thinking of any of the JCB Midi range as a carrier for a Shear. I really rate them, but checkout the brochures and you’ll soon find the issue. A solution is another thing altogether! Eddie.

Sadly in this instance due yet again to Manufacturers simply not listening even when given as much help as possible, the only answer I’ll give is speak to a JCB Dealer or purchase/hire an alternative brand with suitable Auxiliary pressure. Eddie.

3cx would handle one no issues whatsoever, just piping it up nicely as you’ll want to keep the extender function. Eddie.

Bit lacking in aux pressure for a shear? After this weeks fun and games, all I will say to anyone considering a JCB Midi for Tree Shear or attachments, do your homework. Solutions are available, but my suggestion is contact your JCB Dealer, explain what pressure you want from the auxiliary for your chosen attachment and await their response. Eddie.

Been a bit of a JCB week all round with one thing and another, but an emergency call with a list of machine requirements/restrictions as long as your arm had me hiring in a JCB 55z and fitting a Kinshoffer HPX 09 grab more usually installed on 8 tonne carriers just to get something together. This was actually I believe the first 55z sold in the UK, and the guy who bought it had literally every option on it. I’ve done a couple of days on it and what a tool it is all round. Yes the grab is too big, it’s not the full size 67 version as zero swing machines are not my thing, so it nods a fair bit, but the power and speed in it is brilliant. Cab is a real nice place to be, plenty of space, air seat/heated seat, great heater, controls are very good with dual auxiliary pipework and proportional rollers for the grab. Lacks a bit of vision to the offside as the bonnet is square edges not sloped off, but it does house everything very nicely and easy to get around for checks. A decent refuelling pump setup was welcome, but hardly needed, seemingly very economical in comparison to my Kubota Kx57. Downside the paint peeling off certain bits with absolutely no sign of anything applied to make it stick! I know JCB have worked hard on this especially on the new X series, so I don’t know how new versions are lasting. Been said to me a few times now the 67c would kick the Kubota’s arse, well I know it would in the Cab department, but after this little 55z, I wouldn’t be surprised if it did in the performance either? Just don’t try to take any of the new JCB Midi range Tree Shearing, be some long faces all round real quick! Eddie.

Backhoes fell out of favour due to the fact the perfect storm of a card scheme that prevents people actually learning in the seat of the machine from the ground up, coupled with the fact that anyone can jump on a servo 360 and make it go. The Backhoe never lost any of it’s versatility, we used to have to do everything with them utilising what you could carry to site in the front bucket. Take a look at Scandinavia, they’ve never fell out of favour much there, skilled operators that have taken the already versatile Backhoe to another level with attachments. We’re just starting to see the tide turn now, with guys taking a second look at Backhoes in the UK. I think the trend for Tiltrotator equipped Owner Operator Backhoes will grow, especially if a clampdown does ever come on moving kit behind Tractors or even a Telehandler?? If they can ever get this Wheeled Excavator and Trailer thing sorted I think that many would go that way. Same as everything really, if you buy well and it doesn’t work out, how much are you actually going to lose trying it out if you’ve done a few jobs with it. Eddie.

Nothing to touch a TB016, if they’d have come with dual auxiliary pipework they’d be fetching absolutely crazy money. Never seen a machine so bombproof, versatile and punch above its weight, whilst probably going up in value if you’ve a very tidy one. Eddie.

Look at that TB016? They should come with L plates for Arb work, perfect start out machine for everyone, learn a lot with minimal financial risk. Great machines.

I’d only want it to carry attachments to site, blade carriers are great for site work, not really brilliant for roading. Stephen is making good use of the much forgotten Backhoe and they’ve always been so versatile because you can carry everything you need with you. A Hydradig able to arrive with Tiltrotator, Grab, Shear, Winch, Mulcher and Brush/Rake a little like my 8 tonne Kubota setup used to land on site would be an incredibly versatile tool. I’d love the Trailer restriction to be lifted but only for attachment carrying on the road to stop it being abused. On site you can carry what you want. Eddie.

There is a way around it legally to tow something that would enable you to carry the attachments without having to utilise a blade carrier that is putting a lot of extra forces into the machine. Nobody has done it yet, but I think one manufacturer sussed it too, so it may come to market. Eddie.

The hoses are just tucked in the grab, they run through the centre of the rotator. Stephen is spot on, you’ll need to get the hose length sorted and that vulnerable pipework guarded. If it was me I’d turn that rotator 90 degrees anti-clockwise so the motor was on the other side of the dipper arm facing the machine where you can see it, with a narrower profile. I’d switch the rotate lines to that side and you’ll have a nice short hose route, then guard it. Here’s one I had turned the motor 90 degrees and the last worm drive I’ll ever sell!! The solution is on it’s way very shortly and the Grapple saw job should be finally cracked! Eddie.

Yes one one on wheels would work easy enough and just carry it back. This guys got the idea of a compact powerful skidder setup, but the Shears no Westtech! Some job though.? Eddie.

Really depends on the machine, condition of the tracks/idlers and if it has the correct guides fitted. I can vouch for steel tracked Kubota’s with the guides fitted by the idler, take some throwing off. Eddie.

I knew I’d seen another, straightforward big timber grab utilised here. Eddie.

This popped up again yesterday when a friend called having issues with an Intermercato Shear he’d borrowed from someone and decided to fit to an 8 tonne JCB. Basically it wouldn’t cut anything even 4” across and he was really struggling. A quick search revealed that the latest JCB 8 tonners run the Auxiliary circuit at 190 Bar which is very low and the Shear requires 250 to be effective. JCB are coming out, so it’ll be interesting to report back. I’ve said before in the Arb diggers thread, people need to get Tree Shears installed and pressure tested to get the most from them. If you’re not prepared or have anyone capable of adjusting the pressure on the Auxiliary circuit to suit the pressure required for the ram installed on the Shear you’re never going to achieve maximum performance. On larger machines the pressure is almost guaranteed, but then depending on what type of Shear you install the issues come from the Rotators. Worm drives need the correct flow rate or they’ll kill themselves, and generally excavator rotate circuits are putting out too much as standard for them. My advice is simply do your homework, if the Shear needs 250bar, it needs 250bar, having 230 won’t let it perform to its capacity, it’s like struggling to undo a nut with a ratchet and along comes a 4 ft breaker bar! All credit to TMK who are being absolutely slaughtered at present by copies springing up everywhere, they really have innovated the hydraulic rams used in shears and optimised a range that can be specified to get the correct one for the machine removing the need for adjustments on most. Still essential any carrier machine is checked for correct pressure for optimum performance though. The Intermercato T Cut range have really upped the game, and a correctly setup T Cut 25 is a formidable weapon. They now cut either side of the blade and have a pretty impressive opening. I supplied one to go onto a Bobcat E45, it’s really a very light machine for the Shear, but the Operator has gone on to do a massive amount of work with no issues, cutting way above capacity by biting in one side of the blade and then pulling out and going around to the other for the final cut. Get your pressures checked properly, Shears are expensive, crazy not to get the best from them. Intermercato T Cut 25, totally different to the previous models. The reason the blade can be unbolted is so you can use them as a grab. Ideal if you want to step cut a few bits and lift them, as you have a fixed grab at the right angle with massive hold capacity. Eddie.

Run it for 10 years in all my machines and never had any ill effects apart from the pilot circuit filter in the Kubota’s getting badly contaminated and needing changing at earlier intervals. I’ve used Fuchs Plantohyd by choice where possible in everything, but my current Liebherr and JCB units both use the respective manufacturers oil. Anyone going the full Panolin route is going to be paying crazy money, but buying Fuchs in 205 litres can really work out ok. Eddie.

Sticker clearly shows the Hammer circuit is two way, and you’ll press the Hammer switch to make it single way operation with free return. I can’t see from the image supplied where the two pipes go from the two quick release fittings paired together on the side of the dipper. The will either go to the Bucket Ram to Rotate a dangle mount grab or more likely all the way back to the machine for a full rotate circuit. Usually a very quick way to see what you’ve got on any machine, fire it up, put a few revs on and the hydraulic isolator off, then simply roll the rollers and press the buttons, you’ll hear the machine blow off if it’s putting out oil to a circuit and generally see the relevant pipe flex enough to find which it is. Eddie.

I wouldn’t bother with the forks route, I’d be down the rotating grapple/live heel and the fact you could get a small machine to carry and power one of the smaller 3 point linkage winch setups quite nicely. Eddie.

Probably more like let’s not before someone gets talking about what’s really going on out there. Crack on is the name of the game at present. If nobody’s asking and nobody’s enforcing you can’t blame people for keeping pushing on whilst good money to be made at it. Eddie.