LGP Eddie

Had the visit from John Craig to get the Engcon system installed and finally got to see what this Kobelco is made of. Delighted to see it handles the big Westtech no issues even full over the side, and John really has got everything spot on with this install, ironing out all the little creases we had left to finish on the Liebherr, and these mods can now be transferred over to that. One thing that many people never grasped was the unique twin Ec-Oil mount that was constructed for the Hand Habbig shear. Simple fact is the Liebherr never needed it, it has so much reach/height but what a difference it makes to the Kobelco, it's going to be seriously useful. Just to give some idea, removing the Engcon and picking up on the top hitch removes a straight 800kg of weight, and that's a decent lump of timber in itself! Just all the Prolec slew/height/dig monitoring system to setup and a few more guards to fit and it's good to go. Eddie.

It's got so bad they'll be fitting machines with revolving doors soon to get the seat fillers in an out quicker until they find one that's not a chancer! I foresee some changes as the Aberdeen bypass has produced an unbelievable amount of incidents relating to Plant and most fingers point to having the ticket and not an ounce of experience. Eddie.

Just working speccing kit and solutions for others would do me, or Operator training that means they can actually Operate, not simply having bought a ticket! Hopefully a few shifts left in me yet! Eddie.

If you simply tap into the pipework for the boom offset circuit and extend this to the dipper end with your other auxiliaries, then you can simply press the current button installed to switch from grab to rotate. No need for anything else. Obviously these will be manual valves to change the flow from offset to your new extra auxiliary circuit, or you can fit your 6 way valve and a switch here to do it from the comfort of the cab. Eddie.

Thanks, still work in progress, be great to see them out together but any volunteers to operate the other one? The fat bottom girls! Eddie

Kubota is one of the most expensive to convert because you have to cut and widen the whole machine to get the pads on. The simple reason for this is the massive slew ring in comparison to others. Take a CAT 308 you could bolt 1 metre wide pads on with no modifications and get going. The slew ring however is about the same size as a Kx57 Kubota's, hence the CAT wouldn't be my choice for heavy attachments. Bolting the 1 metre pads would be cheap, but it will absolutely eat track chains! A properly cut/lengthen/widen on a Kubota with 900 pads with bottom rollers fitted as heavy duty top rollers, full track guides etc will be expensive, (JccEngcon will tell you) but it will last and last, even swap to the next machine by swapping tops, and won't worry overly about stumps/rocks/hardcore if just operated sensibly. Hitachi Zx85 on 800 or 900 pads is about the best substitute for the real thing. Eddie.

In a word no, it's not something I'm concentrating on. A case of they won't know what they had until they lost it. Paperwork trumps any standard of work these days. Eddie.

He's not got it now mate, this arrived Friday!

In simple terms if you wish to use a grab under the Engcon offer unit, you would have to add in what is called and 'SS9' setup. this will allow you to change between the Tilt function and the Grab. I'm guessing at something like £1500 extra on the package. You can go all the way to a full control system that will allow you to Tilt/Rotate/Grab at the same time, and even add your blade and tracking to your levers! That Komatsu pc30 is setup just like this and is unreal. That's obviously going to cost a chunk on top. I do know they sold a fair few at the Plantworx show, not huge money to get you basically Tilting/Rotating, but if you want to use a grab and many here would, you've got to factor in the upgrade. Eddie.

Again I apologise for this being Engcon, other brands are available but the fact is the 2.5 and 3 tonne sit across two models, the Ec02 for up to around 2.8 tonne and then the Ec204 takes over. Loads of options that can change the final spec/price, and it really takes a little time with a prospective purchaser to ascertain what they currently do, and what they may hope to achieve in future. However anyone running machines up to around 2.8 tonne with two dual acting auxiliary circuits, Volvo, Kubota 27's, Yanmar etc, get in quick and fill your boots, this offer is seriously good! Worth putting in the shed for a prospective machine upgrade at that money, or call someone like summit equipment to see what the other circuit and Joystick with roller may cost to add if you already have a single circuit. EC02 special offer | engcon Eddie.

Just a few shots of my mates new Komatsu setup. It's the first of the new dash 5 versions in the UK and it really is a seriously nice piece of kit. It has many improvements over the previous version and I can honestly say it's a real shame Komatsu never push them as it'll go up against anything out there in this class. They are well worth a look. It's been fitted with the full Engcon Ec204 setup on S40 size hitch, and the grab seen here is just on loan from Engcon, as I'm certain he's going to end up with an Intermercato on it. Plenty on here would make good use of that setup, the killer in this size is transport, he runs a 14 tonne hookloader which is perfect for it. Eddie.

I'd just go for a pump/tank setup and battery like an Ifor Williams trailer. You can get these remarkably cheaply now, and the simple fact is you can tip it regardless of what it's hitched to. Decent leisure battery and you'll get plenty of tips before even thinking of a charge. Remote fob kits are available to make this operable from the machine or 4x4 seat. https://www.flowfitonline.com/hydraulic-power-units/single-acting/flowfit-12vdc-single-acting-hydraulic-power-pack-with-45l-tank-zz003468?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_Jmu06fw1AIVpp3tCh1yVgI2EAQYASABEgLlJfD_BwE WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL IFOR WILLIAMS TIPPER TRAILER TT85 TT105 TT126 | eBay Eddie.

If that's what you need I think they're a great bit of kit.👍 Gregor McArthur has done some, there was one on a CAT308 if I remember correctly at the APF a few years back. Best thing is the flow and pressure they will accommodate through them, so obviously ideal for power hungry Mulcher's and Stump grinders etc. From seeing them first hand I think the quality is without question. I'd say if combined with an Oil Quick hitch setup it could be a real contender against conventional Tiltrotator setups in some applications. The shaped bucket they make is fantastic, and one of those under a Tiltrotator would be pretty special.👍😎 Eddie.

It's the sides of the main body that actually seem to need it most, but what you've done there is exactly what I'd do in conjunction with it too. Tidy job.👍 Eddie.

Just logged on thanks. Eddie.

Just by coincidence I put a request on here for a suitable site to do a bit of a demo on my machines, just a bit further down the page. It may be of interest and no issues providing a big chipper. Eddie.

I should hopefully have my Liebherr machine returning from the Arson attack repairs, along with a new reduced tailswing Kobelco unit very shortly. I'm looking for a suitable site to demonstrate both together if possible, gain a bit of footage etc, and if someone has a suitable site or project that will stand a bit of messing about or wants to showcase a big chipper or whatever alongside then please don't hesitate to give me a call. Obviously we're talking a couple of 30 tonne plus machines with large shears etc here, so it'll need to have suitable access and enough to turn them out for, but I'm certain that I'll be able to make it more than worthwhile if anyone has something suitable. Can be hard surface or roadside as both have rubber pads. I'm based in North Staffordshire close to the A50, so up or down the M1 or M6 for an hour or so from there will be no issue. Many Thanks Eddie. 07973 729424

Roller on the left joystick controls the direction of rotate proportionally, and a roller on the right joystick controls the direction of tilt proportionally. These are operated by thumbs and vitally important that from your first moment in the seat you learn to position your thumb in the centre and roll, not flick at them. To be able to Tilt/Rotate and Grab simultaneously, I have the grab set onto buttons operated by the first fingers of each hand on the sides of the Joysticks. These obviously aren't proportional, but you do get very good control. Should a situation dictate a very delicate touch the system allows you to put the grab onto another roller to make the delicate movements proportionally if required. The Joysticks I use are SVAB L8, you can have so many options and different types of buttons it's a really nice system. Best I have is the tracking on the Joysticks instead of having to use the pedals of levers. SVAB Grip L8 - multifunction joystick grip handle - For machines | SVAB Eddie.

Molson, mainly dealing with Bristol to be honest, but once it arrives Warrington will be my closest. Eddie.

Just got to get one on the back of that Kobelco now Stephen! Eddie.

More and more machines with Twin dual acting auxiliary circuits as the demands of attachments for more circuits increases. Failing that a diverter valve on the boom offset circuit can provide a simple option to give the required 'rotate' pipework. Companies like Summit Equipment can do kits to fit additional circuits to machines that don't currently have them, and many dealers use them. Eddie.

I'm currently looking at ripper tooth options for the Kobelco unit and it'll probably end up something bespoke from BMC Buckets or Northerntrack who do the Stump Raptor tooth, which looks a good bit of kit. They can make pretty much anything and are very respected in the demolition industry. RSL advertise a pretty savage looking thing on e bay, and again they will build you anything you like I'd expect. Interestingly whilst on the RSL site, they have a range of what seem pretty cost effective worm drive rotators advertised? May be ideal for anyone doing their own fixed grab project? Eddie.

We can all be guilty at time of nailing our colours to a mast and go in a bit rose tinted when it comes to machines. In this instance the JCB genuinely surprised me when I originally tried the 86c, and after John Craig who never really comments on carrier machines, after installing Engcon on just about every known brand said you simply have to try their 6 tonner, something was changing? Fast forward a bit, and some respected Owner Operators are taking them now, plus pushing them on in spec with Tiltrotators and attachments. They are certainly gaining momentum, and that can only help residual values. The main factor in this deal is I was able to spec all the options direct from the factory, longer dipper, auxiliary pipework circuits, case drain, blade float, front and top certified guards, led lighting package, chaff guards, travel alarm, strobes, hydraulic quick hitch, etc etc. Nothing was purchased that had to be removed or altered by the supplying dealer, and I think the only job they have is bolting the rubber blocks onto the steel tracks and two side led's. This route of not purchasing a machine that is simply Plant Hire spec and requires a lot of dealer input or third party, like my Kobelco unit, provided a saving of nearly 3k over the two rivals he had pricing, and no warranty arguments that someone else has been messing here? Yet to arrive and will have to prove itself, but it's certainly turned some heads in the purchasing stage. Eddie.

Interesting one for you, very good mate required a zero tail 8 tonner for a specific application, knows his stuff, but asked my opinion. The reaction when I said go and see the new JCB 85z was less than favourable, but when I added I'd buy one, he was clearly puzzled? This guy doesn't mess about, and a few hours later a call from the actual JCB dealers yard, after he's been all over one, with a pretty stunned reaction! Another call, his mate is Takeuchi like a stick of rock, I mean literally every size from micro to 14 tonner, no way JCB, junk, split them in half to do a hose, all the usual, and not without substance of the older range. Take him the factory with you was my reply, I'm saying nothing more on the subject, you're a good mate and I won't influence you. Factory visit with mr Takeuchi who literally threw everything he had at it, took one for a test and blurts out in the car back, I'm stunned by that, it's nothing like anything that's gone before! Fast forward I end up involved to do the final spec, and this is always the nice bit, but the difference apart from a couple of extra lights, absolutely everything is factory fitted, with nothing bought that isn't required, no third party involved and full three years warranty on the lot. Ordered yesterday and about 6 weeks due to all the spec before delivery. Just nice sometimes to credit a machine for what it is, and anyone who knows their kit will see a huge difference in the JCB compact stuff. They haven't done all the range but the 8 and 6 tonners are turning some respected heads now. Eddie.

Thanks, from the amount in the yard getting prepped I think it's safe to say the true blue Kobelco's may be here to stay this time. Eddie.