LGP Eddie

If you can move it no issues, get the 8 tonner first as last. Easy to hire in a 3 tonner for the little jobs, and an 8 will cover almost all of 5 to 13 easily. Most should be double piped and more about steel tracked which is the way to go and put clip on rubbers if you need them. More Shear choice too including new exac one with rotate grip and cut in one unit. Eddie

Yes that's why I ended up building my own. I used the Tiger cut minus the blade as the ultimate bombproof gripper unit and added the unrivalled Exac-One cutter underneath. Best off all worlds with the bonus of fully independent control of either grip or cutter unit. You should see that go under the Engcon on my 8 tonner. You'd pay £22k to match it with a Westtech! Eddie

No I certainly wouldn't, a lot handier to transport and pack a lot more punch than many would give them credit for. It will do some serious work in a shift. Eddie.

You will surprise yourself what you will achieve with a TMK and no rotate. They have a demo day in a week or so somewhere? You have to remember that the steeper the angle from vertical the more chance it will get away from you with either the Tiger or the TMK. Eddie.

One tip with the tiger cut, make certain the blade bolts are tight, and I mean tight, slightest play in them and my 8 tonner would fetch the whole set off in one go. Not the Shear's fault, I used it brutally under the Engcon on the 8 tonner, as the Engcon lets you pull at all sorts of odd angles. Anyone purchasing for a 5 tonner can be confident you'll never hurt it! Eddie.

Yes the Yanmar in the image certainly appears to have the necessary twin auxiliary circuits required for not only a shear with rotate function, but a Timber or Selector grab with rotate too if required. As for Shear, if it's cut and drop you want then nothing to match an Exac-one cutting head. Cut and hold with a percentage chance of dropping material then an Intermercato Tiger Cut 200 can take any abuse you can throw at it! However the TMK simply can't be ignored? Incredible cut capacity and I'll tell you the trick to cutting half as much again as it's rating after this test one has gone back!! TMK will also do a lightened version in thinner plate if weight is an issue. Eddie.

Thanks Stephen, need to work not only financially, but can't be doing with the uncertainty, I'd rather keep busy. Suits the Komatsu perfectly, as it's a very light shear, I doubt it would even get the Westtech more than 3/4 out over the side without falling over! Just taking the tops out closer to the road, but where it's safe, everything comes down whole, flush to the ground is easy with the TMK. Eddie.

Finally back up and running with a replacement in the form of a Komatsu PC240 18metre Long Reach that's had a few mods for the intended projects over the next few weeks. It's had extra lines added to be able to use a Selector Grab, Case Drain for Mulcher, Guarding on front screen and top, plus rubber block pads for road work. It's currently running the new into the UK, TMK 400 Shear from NCD Equipment, with Nick there very keen to get feedback on how it's performing. First thing we noticed upon delivery was the fact the gripper arm left a considerable hole at the rear of the jaw when fully closed, and it was obvious that anything under 5" was in danger of being dropped. A quick mod with a couple of plates sorted that, but obviously a slight corresponding drop in overall capacity. The Komatsu is blessed with being able to set flows from the screen in the cab very easily, and we were able to dial the TMK up to a pretty impressive but controllable speed of operation. So first afternoon out, and all I can say is this thing is light and very quick! No issues whatsoever on the long reach, even out full reach over the side, and to be honest direct mounted onto a top quick hitch I'd probably even put this this on an 8 tonner to try. The 240 is obviously putting enough flow and pressure to make this TMK fly, but the whole unit suits what I would consider to be applications where the dropping of material is not of concern. The TMK needs a few more quite easy mods to make it a true hold and cut, not cut and then hope it holds shear, and I think this unit has got massive potential. This unit sadly isn't fitted with the new TMK Turbo ram, as I consider that possibly the biggest advancement in Tree Shears for quite some time, and once fitted would be even quicker in operation. I'll get some images or video of it in action, but at a price that undercuts the bigger name rivals massively, and a sensible weight for a wide range of carriers, TMK have the makings of a real winner here. Eddie.

Pretty much now a case of seeing who will do you the best deal or which route you prefer as the NPORS is now an official recognised partner scheme of the CPCS. https://www.cscs.uk.com/about/partnercard-schemes/ As for FMOC I'd forget it for construction sites, unless you're using it to prove competence in a category over and above some form of CSCS card that you hold already. An example could be operating a Forwarder, you could use your FMOC for it, but either a CPCS Excavator, or CPCS Chainsaw would cover the fact you had achieved the touch screen test, and basics to be on a construction site. The main contractor will generally need to see some form of CSCS, even if it's just the touch screen test passed as a minimum for a short probationary period to even get you onto site. I suppose it's just the opposite way around on FC sites, they aren't construction so why should they have CPCS unless it is actually construction work you are undertaking. Would I be correct in thinking the FMOC provisional for an excavator can be gained by holding a CPCS for that category, and then you train for specific tasks and attachments? Eddie.

Thanks to everyone who has sent messages of support, and offers of assistance by all the various channels, it does help restore a bit of faith. No shame in admitting it's been a pretty tough week or so, but back on the project tomorrow with a hired in machine solution to fill the gap, nothing like just getting your head down and back to work to clear your head. The machine is simply awaiting it's fate with the loss adjuster tomorrow, and yes Liebherr are still happy with the three week timescale if they get the nod to put it back to how it was. Impressive if they get the opportunity and deliver as promised. Eddie.

I use 'Pig Products' for my spill kits etc and use their Forkift kit for the smaller plant, which comes with a tub of repair putty you can put over a puncture in a drum, split pipe or whatever to buy a bit of time. It's also available separately to buy and add into a larger kit. Well worth having, it could just save the day. The other product that I think essential is a 'Plant Nappy' these aren't cheap, but last well, and you can buy replaceable liners for them. Just look more professional when fuelling up or whatever, and can be left out in the rain with no problems as they allow water through. Always got loads of rags with me, as I'm one who likes to go around the machine and wipe off all the excess grease before I actually grease it. Amazing the bits and pieces you find on that wipe around with a rag that all add to to keeping the machine spot on in terms of reliability. Eddie.

Form and orderly queue guys, you'll never get another? Backhoe with Floatation Tyres, Engcon, yes Engcon! Plus only 500hrs?? http://www.coatesplant.co.uk/construction/?item=237 Eddie.

I was quite surprised at the spec of the small model on paper and have been watching with interest. It really seems to be just like a TB016 Takeuchi in terms of the expanding undercarriage, decent reach and generally straightforward build. They say it has very good ground clearance which is a bonus for a lot of guys here, and the general rumblings seem it's surprised most who've had a try. As I said before Sany will almost certainly progress at least as fast as Doosan/Hyundai but who knows these first machines don't look far off the mark from the crate? It'll take a few years to put some residual against them, as that only really comes with a solid reputation. Looks like I will get to cast an eye at Plantworx. Eddie.

Did anyone ever get a go on that Sany 16 1.5 tonner? I was looking at some images of its demo tour on Facebook, and I have to say it looks a tidy, hi spec bit of kit for the money. I'll be casting an eye over one at Plantworx show if they attend. Eddie.

I did the exact same with a motorcycle and it came really good in the end. In this instance, the machine really needs the full repair by Liebherr UK to retain all of it's value and integrity going forward. It's not a cheap bit of kit to hire, clients and myself must have full confidence the machine is absolutely as close to how it left the factory in terms of condition and reliability must be certain. Liebherr will give 12 months warranty on any and every part that they fit to repair it, and they don't 'fix' things so to speak in this instance, it's simply put back to as it would have left the factory. Fingers crossed it can be sorted asap and put the whole sorry episode behind me. I'm at that point now where you're trying to turn the tap of money going out off, to actually see where the damage ends, before beginning to move forward again. Might be a nice Kubota and attachments up for sale real soon! Eddie.

Just the basic fact it's a narrow undercarriage Materials Handler, the front end equipment, Hydraulic cab riser, before you start on any modifications or accessories. Its nothing like a JCB JS130 when it comes to replace it. Eddie.

Huge repair bill versus valuation payout that had the added advantage for the insurance of what would be a hefty salvage valuation for such a tidy machine in return to offset it. Hangs in the balance, but you'll not get another to replace it, or even new would be a huge lead time before delivery. If only people realised that this kit is hard earned and people make their living with it. No problem on the pins, that Liebherr wouldn't drop half an inch in a week on the Hydraulics, they are just quality kit. Eddie.

Nutters jumping on a bandwagon and using it as a cover to carry out extreme measures. Can't say too much, it's obviously being investigated, this will be six figures of damage/recovery. You pull out what is basically the halfshaft in the centre of the gears, flicks out easy. Eddie.

I'd like to see them caught in that Westtech to be honest! Eddie.

Front end was high enough after Westtech and top quick hitch was removed for recovery, the Liebherr fitter lowered it down off a test point and used a pull lift to bring the dipper in. Between the Mansfield Team and the absolutely brilliant fitter from Liebherr, all was recovered with no additional damage into the Liebherr yard to await inspection by the loss adjuster. All I can do is await the decision now. Eddie.

For anyone who can't quite grasp the scale, this is that Westtech C550 Shear hanging off the end of the Liebherr! Eddie.

Trying to remember it like this helps. Eddie.

Yes fully fenced, shutters on, regular patrols. Phoned in and Fire Brigade did a brilliant job. Must have got it out real quick, and even removed vandal guard to check cab which was fortunately unharmed with minimal damage. Not sunk in yet, we had just about got it perfect now, but hope she will be back at it soon enough. Eddie.

Crane was quoted verbally at 7k, but once they got a sniff Insurance may cover recovery, came in at 15k on paper. I came up with the recovery solution myself, simple is always best. Just removed the halfshafts from the final drives, bog mats to reverse a very nice sliding axle recovery trailer with 20 tonne winch onto, and then simply drag her on. Once the final drives are released it's really surprising what little effort is required to move them. Repair quote is huge, but if approved by Insurance Liebherr will put this back to perfect without any issues in around three weeks. I really do have everything crossed at this point. Eddie.

Been a week to forget, after an awesome few days out with the Liebherr. Basically all going great, with a big Westtech C550 doing it's stuff on the end of it, only to get a call Sunday afternoon to be told someone had torched the machine overnight! Only got it recovered back to Liebherr today, and it's fate totally hangs in the balance going forward. Some scum out there want to learn to leave hard earned kit alone! Eddie. A video of it in action The sight that met me!