LGP Eddie

I wouldn't discount the Ecr Version and the Kubota U27 either as both these machines really have been built to rid operators off the dreadful cabs early reduced tail machines suffered from. These machines are counterweighted to rival standard versions, and in this class having that short tail can help considerably. The Volvo really does look a lot bigger machine than its badge may sound, and the Kubota now with the extra proportional auxiliary lines is the full package. The Kubota will hold its money guaranteed and come with 3 years warranty. The Bobcat will be cheaper to purchase and almost certainly have less residual, but not a bad machine and don't forget you can get the same in Orange from a Doosan dealer for possibly less money. A lot are saying just how good the Hyundai mini's are getting, and some stunning deals to be had on these. Interestingly in another class altogether I have been instructed to go and get myself a go in the latest JCB 6 tonner, apparently it really is the one to beat, and that was from some of my most reliable sources. Good to hear, as I think their 8 tonner too has much potential after trying it. Eddie.

I worked for a great guy early in my plant career who would take on small groundwork jobs, mainly drive dig outs, bits of demolition, levelling ground etc. Most of these jobs were done at weekend utilising the kit that was standing and had a regular routine of tales from the weekend disasters being told in the yard Monday morning and the guy seemingly never doing any good on them. I had a sit down with him and said I'll do them for you, but it's going to be on different terms? Basically you tell me what you have in for the job in terms of type of plant and the hours you expect each item to work and then I'll choose the guys and do the job. The bonus comes in every hour we shave off your agreed rate for each item of plant then we get to have half the current rate for it? Basically simple weekend job would be Tractor and Trailer 16 hours and JCB 3cx 20hrs. By planning the job, taking the right guys and working together we could usually get the job down to something like 10 hrs on the Tractor and Trailer and say 14 hours on the JCB 3cx. That left us with 6hrs @ half the full rate of the Tractor and Trailer plus 6 hrs @half the full rate of the JCB 3cx on top of the hours we had worked. You have to remember that half the full rate was far in excess of our flat self employed rate, especially the Tractor drivers and we all appreciated getting a bit of weekend time at home paid. The understanding was that the client was happy, no damage done apart from the usual punctures and no services damaged. Did it work? He ended up flat out with groundwork, customers waiting to get us back and a great reputation for a tidy efficient job. The kit was earning big time by not sitting idle on jobs, completing them far under his estimates, and being utilised to maximum efficiency when it was on site. I'm a firm believer you're better with a carrot than a stick, and the times I've had bosses stunned when I call to say add more to an invoice to cover bonus for a good operator. However the difference when you open the cab door and say we've got to get this wrapped up today, they just roll their sleeves up and crack on. Work out a scheme that gives them ownership and at least a fair chance of some extra for working safely and effectively, and a full understanding that piece of pie is straight in the bin for cutting corners or damage. Eddie.

I've asked on my Twitter account and replies are coming back that Bobcat seem to have the float blade, along with certain Volvo models. Nobody has come up with any others as yet, but I'll post them up if they do. The Ec27 always looks a tidy bit of kit and is a full fat version. Yes there's going to be a bit of export back on at present, and if you've not bought by 1st of Jan, expect a price increase on the new 17 plated machines. Eddie.

I wouldn't worry about the Volvo build, best backup in the business and in the extremely unlikely event you broke it, of all manufacturers I'd put my money on them most likely to stand by it even out of warranty. Kubota always great fit/finish and paint you literally need to use a grinder to mark it permanently. Eddie.

It's clinging on there as a full fat 2.6, but try the U27 or the Volvo and you will see they have cracked the cabs now. The track pedals and flat floor of the Volvo give true full size machine operating experience and despite being a Kubota fan, if they would have been close on price I'd have the Volvo being tall and fat! Volvo paint would at best pass as a primer finish, and I'd of had it clear gloss wrapped from new to give it a shine and hope of keeping tidy long term. Sad I know!. Eddie.

Float on blades is brilliant and CAT have had it for years. To be honest I've not used another machine with it apart from CAT, so would be interesting to see what others are about. In the 2.6 tonne class, the Volvo Ecr26 and Kubota U27 are now both available with twin dual action proportional circuits via rockers on the joysticks and having had demo's of both recently I would recommend you take a look at both. I'd have happily purchased either, it really was that close, and like everything it was tiny details either way that you would love to combine into my perfect machine. The Yanmar has great ground clearance and is well worth a look, the U27 Kubota will be money in the bank in terms of resale. Eddie.

It's just that having a slip on hydraulic pump you really don't want to extend the shaft or give it any chance of a wiggle! Eddie.

This is the PTO shaft I was trying to describe for those who don't know how the older fords worked. Basically to convert from 540 to 1000 pto you would park the tractor on a slope to prevent oil running out the back, remove a circlip and pull out the pto shaft. Fit the 1000 shaft with the different spline and good to go. This simply replicates the 1000 speed shaft but still with 540 splines ford tractor 540 eco pto shaft - SAVE FUEL - | eBay If it inspires anyone to have second look at their setup it's all good. Certainly tidied up my mates setup and hopefully will be much safer and productive. I'll try for some pictures and Andy at Kilworth was brilliant in assisting with this. A little laugh was he actually scrapped a perfectly good 6 cylinder Ford Cargo Concrete Mini Mix truck the week before, which if you think about is is about the biggest cheapest hydraulic power pack you could lay your hands on! Eddie.

No, didn't want any electrics as pretty maxed out already and awaiting 3 phase upgrade from electricity company, just run 12v LED's to light it all up off the tractor. Eddie.

I just wanted to share thoughts on a solution I came up with for a good friend who runs a Tajfun processor, having been asked my thoughts on how to improve his setup? Basically a not unfamiliar scene with a processor mounted behind a fordson major up on a few blocks to get the pto shaft better in line, out in an open yard surrounded by the usual sawdust bark and offcuts, impossible to clean up properly on the hardcore surface. I'd just sold him my Ford 5610 with loader to replace the Major, and I said such a shame to tie it up there for the rest of it's days, as it was a real handy tractor. He asked how it could be down differently, and with a bit of thought I came up with a solution that really has transformed things for him. Basically taking a 40ft container on a level hardstanding as the starting point, a 6" thick concrete pad was poured along the side approx 4 metres wide, and a lean to constructed falling back onto the container roof with rsj frame, timber purling and box profile sheets. Nothing fancy and all reclaimed stuff that came out tidy. The container is utilised for other storage anyway so basically a nice back wall for free to build against and affords much shelter. Then for the trick bit, to bring the Tajfun processor inside the lean to, and virtually up to the container wall we needed rid of the tractor? The solution came in the form of a hydraulic motor from Kilworth themselves that slips over the pto splines of then processor, and a suitable mount was made that simply fits onto the existing 3 point linkage mounts of the processor, keeping the motor supported and everything in line. You've probably guessed the rest if you've followed this so far, but yes a large hydraulic tank, return filter, spool block etc was the mounted to the steel side of the container at one end, and a pto driven slip on pump again from Kilworth fitted to the tractor. With everything piped up, and steel pipe used for the long runs along the container side to again dissipate heat, the Tajfun is now fully hydraulic powered with extra spools to run the hydraulic sawdust fan etc. I haven't been involved in the actual build, just chipping in here and there with ideas, and a couple of local hydraulic experts have done the business, with off the shelf components for the main bits. As for the outcome, it's totally transformed the job! A tidy workplace, he even installed an airline setup now having been inspired by how clean the job can be. The Tractor can be utilised for other applications, then simply driven up and the pump attached. There is loads of hydraulic power for the sawdust fan now, without heating the tractor oil, and the tractor is running the pto pump at approx 1900 revs for now, whilst the cheat pto shaft arrives to trick the Ford in 1000 speed to run at around 1100 engine revs to give 540 at the shaft. Going forward he is talking about a big splitter project, and the thought is for a 3 point linkage mounted hydraulic tank and pto pump setup, that can remain on the tractor and drive between the two setups before being coupled via some large quick release couplings. I see no reason why it wouldn't work, ending up with what is just a very mobile hydraulic power pack when he wants it. I'll try and get some pictures, but it's not my yard and setup, however if anyone has anything specific then just DM me and I'll do my best to answer it. Eddie.

Fair play, that is absolutely brilliant and has just put £500 on the value of every used TCP Dumper!! I'd have little shame in having a go at one of them for myself. Eddie.

I'd give Clements Plant a call, they seem to have a regular supply of tidy Backhoes in various specs, and they would probably know of a 4cx. The Vovo is very good for drive due to it's excellent torque converter setup, and fitted with oversize Michelin tyres would be as good as it gets for a conventional machine. I'd personally have thought one of the TM handlers with it's telescopic section and pivot steer that can slew the post knocker sideways without moving the machine would be a handy mount, with pickup hitch on the rear for trailer. Probably much better at road work too, with more power and I assume 40k? Pivot steer kit is always good at debogging itself by walking, which can just give you enough momentum to get going again. Serious tyres are available for these and no reason why duals couldn't be utilised either. Eddie.

Just go for a 4cx as the base unit and really no need for that to be more expensive, as they don't really command much premium used. This will give you a well balanced base, with 3 steering modes that could come in very handy, and the equal wheels will travel the ground much better. Nothing to stop you taking a pair of duals with you, and having the ability to lift yourself with loader or jacks would see them fitted in minutes. You could use just one pair wisely to huge advantage on wet or sloping sites as all the wheels are same size, so on front/rear or downhill side of slope. I have regularly roaded with a Bomag 120 roller on the forks of a 3cx back in the day and I suspect a 4 cx wouldn't know the knocker is there. If you can get an ex pole planter machine you may get your front hitch and bigger tyres in one go anyway. Eddie.

A little like the shear situation, people really need to know what they are hiring and is it like for like pricing? A big 360 could be a description used for a standard 16 tonne machine running a fairly ordinary mulching head, or a 20 tonne plus machine running a top spec head, with tweaked hydraulics, power pack, guarding etc which can add up to a serious chunk of money. In the shear example for up to 18" material stacked ready for the chipper, you could get away with a 13/16 tonne class running something like a large Tiger Shear and someone happy to do it for £450 per day, up to someone with deep pockets and a Westtech Woodcracker on a fully guarded setup with operator who does this work on a regular basis for something like £650/700 per day. Both will get them on the floor, the second choice just does it more safely and efficiently, but as with everything some never get past the bottom line. 8 tonne standard machines, no guarding and run by the usual suspects who would be wearing the boilersuit and wellies to undercut your chainsaw work whilst they're at it, have rates for these with shear sub £300 per day now. How much even a complete novice can do with a Shear for under £300 in a day compared to manual methods would be an eye opener. As ever in the UK we take progress and manage to turn it into a race to the bottom against each other instead of offering good service and efficiency at a sustainable fair price. Eddie.

I think you're going to have to narrow it down a bit more than that as the variables out there with base excavator carriers plus shears is growing daily. There will be a fair regional variation I'd expect also. Your application will obviously decide what you're looking for, be it cut and hold or can you get away with cut and kill as I call them. Are you looking to section down or simply whole tree shearing, with cut capacity requirements governing what you require. Actual rates will vary tremendously as you have guys out there running specialist kit for this work and others just looking to add a few extra days work to their usual portfolio. Eddie.

These guys sell them LED Work Lights [2] Some I believe you can simply have spot or flood lenses and swap as you choose. Eddie.

I have yet to find LED's better than Nordic lights, not the cheapest, but a great range and top quality. No issues working at night on an excavator equipped with these. Eddie.

No problem. Just send me a message if you struggle to get anything sorted and I'll do my best to point you in the right direction. Do yourself a big favour and fit a basic front screen guard on when the grab is utilised, things can come at you real fast! Eddie.

I think you pretty much answered your own question, as the easiest way for a free swinging grab is to simply put taps in the bucket ram lines and divert the flow to power the rotator on the grab. You are correct that this would give you good control via the machines own servo lever, but my own personal preference would be to have the grab function running off this circuit, as it is more intuitive to use that way. If you use it for the grab function you need to fit flow reducers into the rotate lines to allow you to get this to a nice controllable level, and these are readily available plus not too expensive. Depending on your offset boom control arrangements, and whether this is a comfortable alternative, you can simply divert this and pipe it up the boom/dipper giving you a cheap extra auxiliary circuit with good control and the ability to make a nicer mounting for the grab in the form of a short extension. Eddie.

An awful lot of Flail heads and Mulchers getting fitted these days to all sizes of excavators. I'm running one. Eddie.

You do right to get some guarding sorted and the reality is finding someone who is willing to do it will be extremely difficult. Several schools of thought exist on guarding, but the facts as I see it are you can't touch the existing Cab structure in any way, and any guarding must be accepted as not being approved in any way apart from the fact you are taking all sensible precautions to minimise the risk. However, having it designed/constructed by an industry recognised specialist with the correct fabrication knowledge and qualified welders etc clearly demonstrates you have taken all reasonable precautions. Sometimes factory guarding is available, and in limited instances approved third party guards, but these are mainly for Demolition and not necessarily suitable for the task. Changing windows out for Marguard especially where Mulchers or Harvesting Heads are concerned is a must, and in reality can be a lot easier than some would make out, and can be done skilfully so you really wouldn't know it's fitted. Your comments on nothing stopping anything from above lead me why my current Kubota is guarded as it is. It may not be the limb you're shearing that gets you, it's most likely that bit of dead top that you've just dislodged that's hurtling down towards the roof without you knowing! I had this happen whilst felling with the grab of my old Kubota, and it's not something I'd want to repeat. I was inches from a top window unwanted visitor! The top of my machine will now keep me a lot safer than before, and the times the whole structure rings like a bell, lets you know that it's money well spent. The front window is obviously maximum risk, and for those daft enough to shear without a guard, at least take the levers off your track pedals. Why? If it all goes wrong and that limb comes in, depending on which way around you are, you may have the machine back away from it, or worse keep tracking that limb into the cab with you unable to do very little about it! Personally I'd like to sit down with the HSE and take a look at sensible precautions for a minimum standard of guarding for Excavators in Tree Work, before we read of a tragedy with the inevitable knee jerk reaction that would follow with either bans on certain attachments or machines looking like tanks with a periscope to look out of! There are some great companies that will do the guarding, Forest machine Services, Wilsons, Caledonian Forestry, JCC Engcon are the ones I can think of but it would be great to hear of more. Cab Care and Jayscreen do a range of guards for machines that are approved for demolition. My final point really has to be, how does anyone use a Shear on an Excavator without additional Front/Top guarding and get it past the most basic Risk Assesment, and the same would apply to a screen guard with a free swinging log grab? Eddie.

Caledonian Forestry fixed me up straight away with bars and chains when I had mine, I received fantastic service from them. I went to Clarke's for my current grapple saw and I'm certain they can fix you up too, again brilliant service here. Prices are pretty reasonable compared to standard chainsaw too. Eddie.

Running a special EC226 with different swivel to get more flow for the attachments. Not needed the grapple saw in any real anger, but working fantastic now and heading north for a couple more mods as soon as it comes in. How old is your Ec209 unit? I looked at a 718 in action, but it simply can't handle the weight required when you throw the Engcon in, they have a very neat setup to give the manipulation but you can't have the flexibility the Engcon brings to the Liebherr especially with the EC-Oil to change attachments. Eddie.

Thanks. Chopped my way in until I could reach no more, simple job then to fell the rest within the Liebherr's grasp, once it has hold then it's heading into that Bandit real quick! Eddie.