LGP Eddie

I really think it's a case of sitting down and thinking what you really want from a bucket? The Scandinavian style Bucket is something you would use as an all rounder, much like a genuine shaped grading bucket you see hanging from a Tiltrotator, and will be great for handling material, loading dumpers etc etc. When it comes to actual grading, the more conventional tilt bucket will win hands down, by simply being wider and requiring much less passes to achieve the same. It's geometry will be easier to grade with, but you could argue you gain a bit of reach with the other type. Whatever you choose you're simply on a winner!:thumb up: A good video of the Scandinavian style here, but you will quickly appreciate every pull will leave two nice windrows you're going to be tidying up spilling around the cutting edge, that aren't that far apart. Both will cut a V trench, etc etc [ame] [/ame] A few images of a new conventional Geith one going on the a 16 Tonne Volvo, and a bit of it working. Eddie.

That's fantastic. I keep telling people that in this day and age a Tilt Bucket should be standard issue considering their competitive price, why move the machine when you simply move the bucket. What make is that one? No going back now, and a very slippery slope to getting one that rotates as well! The Menzi 515 in Earthmovers is the ultimate without question, but try justify paying the same as three 13 tonne machines for it, unless your application is ultra specialised? I'd have one tomorrow if I could make it pay. Eddie.

What would be the main factors behind that choice? Probably tops my current list too, and we have just gained a new Dealer on the doorstep, but Kubota could possibly edge it come the crunch with a very competitive two piece boom on offer compared to others. Eddie.

CAT, Volvo, Hyundai, Doosan, Sany? Take your pick really, they all do the job and the gap is closing between them all the time. People look for so many different aspects in machines, with backup from a good local Dealer playing a major part in some decisions. There are a few that cost a bit more for a genuine reason, and these do tend to achieve higher residual value for that. Whatever does it for you really, like I say get on the phone to a few users, even ask the salesman for some recent customers numbers, and try as many as possible, preferably in your own applications. I tell many people a £500 hire for a week that results in the working demo of the actual machine you are looking for in real world work is little money to get the decision right. Done on a paying job, it may just be a demo that pays a few pound as a bonus. Eddie.

Almost certainly not depending if the Bauma show brings an updated 8 tonne machine with the creases ironed out or not? The Takeuchi edges the Kubota at present, but only for stupid reasons any other manufacturer would have sorted in weeks not years! Eddie.

Yanmar have pushed themselves right back into it with their new cab, and the 10 tonne SV100 with two piece boom is currently the best all round package straight from the dealers yard out there, even if it is in a weight class of its own. Neuson ET90 is absolutely stunning bit of kit and you can get a whole range of extras for them from the factory, plus Neuson are committed to the UK and really going places. Terex would scare me to death in terms of residual value and just overall reliability. Kubota/Takeuchi is still the safest all round bet as ultra reliable, well finished and solid performers, but as previously mentioned all are so close now. Who here has been on JCB's latest offering? Go and shock yourself, I'd buy one of they would work with me on a few mods, but if it was reach you were after their two piece boom model with long dipper is incredible! If you're not Mulching, how could the Hitachi be overlooked for being a brilliant package and the nicest cab environment? You could just go on and on! Ask users and try for yourself, but some of the brochure figures are as accurate as your average Silage Team stood around the red diesel pump at the bar claiming hp figures at "the shaft!" Eddie.

This beauty will tip you over the edge!:thumb up: However for those that have never seen one it's a great spec, having front quick hitch, and piping for the Selector Grab that works in combination with the extender. You can also see the huge rear jack legs, that when combined with a quick release set of front legs, allow the machine to lift itself high enough for the operator to see into and compact roll on/off bins. Some bit of kit and notice the 4 in 1 rear bucket! JCB 5CX WASTEMASTER ADVANCED EASY CONTROL LEICESTER Backhoe loaders, Price: £69,950, Year of manufacture: 2014 - Mascus UK Eddie.

I've just about talked myself back into one now!:thumb up: Eddie.

Yes a traditional effective way was to utilise the extending action to actually rotate the thumb around to the desired position, and is a very strong simple solution. Things have progressed somewhat and people are now running Selector Grabs on the newer machines with the extender function still operable. This is another way altogether and tidy!:thumb up: [ame] [/ame] Eddie.

Just to throw another in the mix, as these caused much debate at the time? Basically an attempt at a poor mans 4cx with only one steering mode and smaller wheels. With the all important Turbo and power shift, and a local Owner Operator still runs his from brand new even now! Could just help you stay afloat a bit if using the front loader a lot off road. This looks a tidy example, and Clements do seem to find a constant stream of straight looking Backhoes. JCB 3CX Super 1997 : Clements Plant Eddie.

Hard to find a good one now, but a great all round machines that are easy enough to work on. Try and find the Turbo Plus Powershift or Jubilee version if you can, as they are on another level to the standard machine. JCB control is not mastered in minutes, but once it is, it really does just all flow together. Same with the front bucket and two levers setup. No need to use the other hand for the 4 in 1 it just all flows together on the other lever. Eddie.

Yes 1995 was the anniversary, but the company I was operating for got both a Jubilee and standard Turbo Plus Powershift version in the early part of 96 so that always sticks in my mind. JCB by then really had things sorted on them, and apart from a new swivel on the seat base it never let me down or had anything done to it. I always wanted the 4cx version at the time, they just looked fantastic, but you always get mixed reviews from operators on them, with a lot finding them clumsy. The guy I was operating for was CAT mad, and we ended up with a string of top spec CAT Backhoes, but I never really took to them. A friend went on his own with the Volvo version, and to be honest Volvo were crazy to stop building them as it really was getting to be the best on the market. Interesting times as I think if priced correctly the new JCB Hydradig will have a real impact on their own Backhoe market. Eddie.

Did my original CPCS 10 day Training Course on Grey Cab Turbo's at OTS JCB, which was JCB's training centre back in the day. I went on to operate Black and Grey Cab version's and the F, G and H reg versions have a fully deserved legendary status. The best backhoe JCB have ever made in my opinion was the Sitemaster Turbo Plus Powershift in around 1996 vintage. It was produced as the Jubilee limited edition with a bit of bling, or the standard yellow version. If you can find a tidy one they are straightforward and extremely productive machines with great build quality. I Operated one for 3 Years from new on front line duties and it was simply fantastic. Eddie.

Right then, form an orderly queue at your CAT dealer and beg them to let the UK have them preferably with the thumb setup too! What you are looking at is a 5 tonne machine fully setup to take the front attachments from their skid steer range, completely factory done ready to go. Just fill in your own blanks of applications and attachments that would be handy, but the potential to pick up a winch setup one minute and forks with decent capacity another, even finish the job with a sweeper! Not a new idea but factory with a full range of attachments ready to go in is a major leap by CAT ahead of the competition. [Video] Caterpillar 304.5E2 XTC Mini Hydraulic Excavator Overview Eddie.

Have you purchased Stephen? Eddie.

That is the exact one I had a few images of but couldn't find, and is a good example of what can be done quite easily, but I would probably mount the valve out of harms way in the extension personally. Eddie.

Useful looking setup for a lot of guys here, if Bobcat will bring it in for the UK? Extendable Arm – Bobcat Company Eddie.

I just wonders if a simple portable air tank that you simply fill would be of any use? It was that I looked into to clear the rads on the machine when mulching, but luckily I've never really had the need. https://www.toolstoday.co.uk/sip-portable-24-litre-air-tank-with-pressure-gauge?gclid=CLTe4MH1tssCFQo6Gwod0FUKd Eddie.

Yes it's just a 12volt 6 way solenoid valve, and choose the bore of the ports you require. I have put a few links up to Flowfit now, as they really have a great range and fantastic catalogue well worth getting hold of, but most decent hydraulic places will have these on the shelf or in next day. Diverter Valves | Hydraulic Valves | Flowfit Eddie.

Sorry I thought you could change the size simply on the drop down menu, you need this page first to choose the actual size 1/4", 1/2", 3/4" etc and then choose the flow required after. Hydraulic Flow Control and Flow Divider Valves | Flowfit Eddie.

I'd give them a bit more credit than that, as in all honesty you don't get this sort of control on some hugely expensive bits of kit. The normal way is simply to introduce some flow reducing valves in each line, be it actually on the machine or some simply mount them at the end of the pipes next to the quick realise fitting. Cheap enough and you're able to get great control from them by reducing the flow to what is comfortable level and then locking them with a grub screw. Choose your size from the menu. Hydraulic flow regulator valve with check VRFU, 1/4" BSP | Flow Control & Flow Divider Valves | Hydraulic Valves When you fit them just remember they control the flow one way and allow free flow back so get them the right way round, easy to check real world by screwing the valve down and just blowing through them if the diagram on the side is confusing. Eddie.

Looks tidy enough that for 3 tonner or the like? For myself I'll be looking at a telescopic extension that's basically an extending crane arm as a starting point with mountings, and a suitable foot for walking the machine around on fitted to it. I may even go the route of the pad that sits against the inside face of the dipper to pull strength from it. Eddie.

Only in the development stage as yet. I have a top quality Kinshoffer HPX Timber grab and rotator from my previous 5 tonner ideal for it, and have approached a crane manufacturer to see if they will provide me with the telescopic arm from one of their cranes as the basis of the build. The Kubota is ideal for such applications, as obviously it's rock steady with heavy attachments. I should in theory be heading for 11 metres ish reach from the two piece boom and extending mount setup, which is pretty handy on a compact base unit. Eddie.

Nice one mate, but we only believe you in this thread if you stick up some pictures for us all! Only joking, it would be really useful as I can't find the ones of the setup I'm talking about at present. Eddie.

Funny you say that but that's what i'm currently working on, but with a telescopic extension in it too? This is great setup just ignore the fact it's a harvesting head, and with suitable brackets fitted you simply grab the extension to stop the grab swinging about when travelling. http://www.yanmarquis.com/images/604/%20img-1441.jpg Eddie.