LGP Eddie

I assume you're not thinking of towing either of them? If you have a truck, try the latest dash 5 Komatsu Pc30 just out. Zero tail, but it may just surprise you. Eddie.

Called to see progress on my new Kobelco unit today, and it's going to be some beast! The Heavy lift 1.4 tonne counterweight is on, 800mm track pads, with an unusual 100mm inward offset to keep transport width down, and rubber block pads. Guards have been replaced with thicker items, extra track guides etc. This unit has a full Prolec envelope monitor system that will allow me to programme in limits for slew/height when working on highways etc. Packing in a good 30 tonne now we estimate in the base carrier, it should more than boss the job. Lighting package, guarding etc to go on yet, but should be with me early next week to get started on the Engcon and attachments. Eddie.

I had it on an 8 tonne excavator and would take something like Birch up to around 14" on a regular basis, and I mean flush to the ground. An excavator base obviously allows such abuse, I make no excuses, but it's very easy to get sucked into, well it's just done that one, lets try this! I honestly had great success with the Osma, only had one shaft balance and a couple of flails in the time I had it. I think you'll have no issues at all. Eddie.

I use Engcon, so obviously I just mention what I have. It's a whole subject in itself, and no there really aren't any bad ones, and there's a lot more than three out there. Cost is the tricky one, as this is where you can be literally undersold a solution to gain a deal, leaving the purchaser with limited options when it comes to utilising other solutions the Tiltrotator may bring in future. My advice to anyone is speak to users to find out what your requirements may be, and even go and see a user with a similar setup. Compare your quotes with a fine tooth comb! The control system is the big one, if missed off and using the machine circuits, it's night and day in terms of cost and future expansion. If anyone tells you one unit is stronger than the other, simply tell them there's no skip of broken units of any colour anywhere! I stunned a rep recently when I said I can generally write a reasoned argument what to fit any of the main colours of Tiltrotator, but only when I've spoke to someone at length can I ascertain what they presently do and what they possibly hope to achieve can I actually recommend one, and no it won't always be Engcon. The worm drive rotator needs much investigation I think? Eddie.

Sorry sold through Arbtrader. Eddie.

The fixed mount grab with rotator just puts you on another level in comparison. Downside is cost and getting the right rotator. Some of the hose setups you witness are heartbreaking too, it's really not that difficult to get things the right length and routed tidy, it saves a huge amount of downtime. Eddie.

Should work, just wanted to add this was my first ever excavator flail and a great bit of kit it turned out to be. Only issues I ever had were due to being too greedy with it, operating it probably three times above its rated capacity at times, but even that only cost me a balance on the shaft which wasn't too bad. Exac-One supported it very well. Must be some on here running or hiring Avant/Flail setups that can help you more. Eddie.

I suppose I'm just used to the Tiltrotator, it's heavy duty enough for anything you throw at it, and I've thrown some stuff at them over the years now. I can't see why properly specced a good worm drive setup won't stand the pace, it's the trade off between cost against more traditional rotators I assume that doesn't see them as popular. You're never far from an Intermercato setup and I suppose my main point is why no challengers out there as such to them? It's what I'll be purchasing alongside my current Engcon Selector Grab, and despite a trip to Elmia, nothing shouted out as being a contender in this sector. Eddie.

If you actually want a Selector Grab then the Kinshoffer HPX 09 can't really be beaten on an 8 tonner. Unbelievably strong grabs with great holding power. If you want it for timber or brash then undoubtedly the Intermercato Tiger Grip setup. As for a worm drive rotator from them, it would be interesting to see the cost because the majority don't seem to take them. I sadly have a need for the Engcon Selector type, you'd be surprised just how much digging I use the grab for, but an Intermercato Tiger Grip too. When you get to the larger sizes it's scary money and that's with no rotator! Eddie.

It's just different techniques to use a Selector grab for the job. I work with a lot of guys and the ones used to simply grabbing at with a timber grab and closing it tight are usually lost with how to most effectively use something like a Selector grab which although not perfect can bring other benefits. I've seen the Pro Dem and that's a nice setup, but the rotate won't hold solid like a worm setup. I think there's still more to come in the market. Eddie.

Plenty have got themselves a fixed head stuck on a timber grab and made themselves a metal birds nest when used under a Tiltrotator! Once you start getting the force from that bucket ram introduced, things get found out very quickly! If you're aware, make sensible steps to beef them up before use, and simply don't go mad then it can work out no problems. I'm still sruggling to find anything that really matches the Intermercato range of Tiger grips for excavator applications. If you look in Europe they favour big box tyne designs that have limited range of opening and a lot of weight. The American kit is nice, but they think a 20 tonner is a mini excavator, so perhaps still a gap in the market for nice hardox tyne grabs with worm drive rotators that are most suited to excavators. Eddie.

Yes the Rotator has to be beefier to cope with the forces and it's hard to get the power and hold right unless you go full Tiltrotator with worm gear, which is another story, but more and more good solutions available now. It's simply a case of having an extra dimension available, you wouldn't want to work with your wrist broken and hand flopping about, nor does an excavator. Eddie.

Couldn't agree more. Free swinging grabs just straightforward rob you of an extra dimension the excavator can provide over traditional timber cranes. It's almost a culture thing, guys are used to having a swinging grab and rotator and seem reluctant to try anything else. Cost is obviously a factor, but when you see what benefits something like an Intermercato grab, properly setup fixed to the machine with heavy duty rotator, it's night and day. Eddie.

Liebherr repair is finally underway thanks. It has been a total nightmare for me, but I'll hopefully be back in action in around a week with my new Kobelco unit and the Liebherr following back soon after. I'll probably take a few adverts out as both are aimed at guys who simply need a few days muscle on the job and then off again. The Kobelco is some spec and I'm looking forward to getting it all finished and shaken down. I miss the Kubota, but I've done that class of machine to death and want to offer solutions to guys who would normally think such kit out of reach. Eddie.

Looking good Stephen, you can't regret buying that setup I'm certain. Eddie.

The need is to establish what you're looking for, you could be into true doorway machines like the Kubota Kx008, or the larger one most who use these things are talking about the Bobcat E10/Doosan Dx10z in whichever colour you choose. I'd go Doosan, the Bobcat paint comes off in the rain! Eddie.

First decision is, what are you looking at this class for? True 'doorway' performance to access where others can't go, or you're happy to accept slightly larger to get into the 1 tonne class where the machines are much better performing? Eddie.

Out of Stanstead Wednesday at 18.15 on Ryanair, collected car and dropped on as everything else had gone, so brand new Nissan x-trail. Cheap hotel close to airport and up early for a very wet but stunning drive to the show. Car park was horrendous in the section I was in, but the rest seemed to be holding up better on the sloping areas. Enjoyed a full day at the show, extremely friendly, some huge stands, and despite the horrendous weather, still fine to walk around. Made a decent enough escape from the car park, and then stayed about 45 minutes away at Grenna, north of Jonokoping, which was a lovely place on the side of the lake. Made the call to leave it on the Friday, had a leisurely day, lovely drive back to Gothenburg and back to Standstead. Seen exactly what I went to see, enjoyed it very much, and will return to Sweden using Gothenburg again, as it was so cheap and simple. I only booked 2 weeks before and got a pretty decent deal all round. Eddie.

The whole setup has been purchased by Ground Control for the mechanised division. If you ever need assistance in a solution it's something I do a lot of for guys now. Cutting through everything to pull together a complete package that actually works really does take some legwork. Eddie.

Just a quick update to say thanks to everyone for the kind words and support through what has been a very difficult time since the arson attack on the Liebherr machine. It is finally all going through, with Liebherr undertaking the repairs, and I have every confidence the machine will be perfect on it's return. In addition I've sold the whole Kubota setup and gone with a carrier that can share all the big Liebherr attachments, but in different applications. It was at the Plantworx show in it's base form, but will be having the mods added over the next cookie of weeks to become a compact powerhouse of a tool, ideal for roadside work or awkward sites the Liebherr can't access. I'm looking forward to it's arrival and getting back to work. Kobelco SK270srlc Eddie.

The Kubota can hold it's own with anything, simply dated now in terms of extra auxiliary hydraulic circuits which a lot of guys on here want. Rock solid residual and ultra reliable. The dark horse is the Komatsu, great machines in this class with zero swing and good power plus decent loadover height which can be handy. If you want an owners machine then it's different than something everyone jumps on. If it's for multiple operators, not a lot to touch the Takeuchi, they are simple and stand up well to the abuse, if a little weak on pin/bushes, but these are cheap enough anyway. I don't include the FR series in that statement, as I'd not touch one unless for a specific application. Just a heads up on Plantworx show, first week of June and going to be some show by the look it. Well worth a trip. Eddie.

This the one you've seen? Our Gallery - Pickup Systems Ltd Eddie.

Incredibly you've missed absolutely nothing! Still awaiting Insurance approval of the repair! It's sourcing the Police report that's been the major hold up, and I'll be perfectly honest it's been a total nightmare in terms of stress, hassle and obviously financially. Just need it back asap! Eddie.

Not a huge curve and it was secured with the normal adhesive that would be used for the screen instead of having to have it bolted. Marguard is one of those things that three or four guys clubbing together on here could possibly split a full sheet and get a huge saving? Eddie.

Availability is big issue. My Kubota had Marguard fitted directly into the existing frame, plus a bottom window cut for around £600, and quite honestly even 3 years on you wouldn't know it wasn't glass. For yourself I'd say a good mesh is a good insurance policy and shouldn't be too expensive for a fabricator. If you use a couple of vandal guard mounts at the bottom and a hook it on at the top you can take them off easily. Some are available on the Cabcare website, I had the Kubota one, but in all honesty expensive for what they are, and easily replicated. Mesh Guards | CabCare Eddie