LGP Eddie

A bit of a lash up with some box section would soon see what can be achieved real world, before the main fabrication took place. Eddie.

Here you go Stephen, and it looks like Andrew at Exac-One got there first yet again, so a call to him will get you all the info on it I'd expect. Doesn't it look a handy bit of kit though! NEW Prototyp SG3 - Black Splitter | Kegelspalter | Baggerspalter | Holzspalter | Drillkegel Eddie.

There's actually a bit more to it if you want it? Basically for an ultra simple setup you get your preferred fabrication guy to knock up an extension, but house inside it a six way electric diverter valve. Neatly pipe up the grab to this using the fact you can run hoses through this mount and have just one pair of hoses running back to the machines dual acting auxiliary circuit. All you now need is a cable running back to the machine to a button on top of your lever (could even be the horn button) that you simply press to switch from grab to rotate, as and when required. It gives both functions without the need for an extra dual acting circuit to be fitted, and can if done well result in an ultra tidy installation. There is an image of a nice extension here, but this is more optimised in angle to a harvester geometry, as for using a grab you'd be looking for more height/reach. http://www.jaspwilson.co.uk/upload/image/harva_digger_5.jpg Eddie.

No mate it's just a short jib you hook onto your current quick hitch to give a short extension and a nice mount for the grab. I'll go and dig something up for you, but enjoy this whilst you wait! [ame] [/ame] Eddie.

Not if you put a small extension mounting on to utilise with the bucket ram and pipe the grab properly through two auxiliary circuits. The productivity difference of being able to rotate the grab or material is huge, along with making things like stacking or loading chipper simple. Thumbs are great bits of kit, simple and strong ideal for straightforward clearance work. Eddie.

I was down at the Yanmar dealers looking over their new 10 tonne machine when the subject of timer grabs came up, with me expressing my disappointment on how many manufacturers have been slow to react to the ever increasing demand for controllable auxiliary pipework. It's the first time I've even looked at Yanmar kit, which has a great reputation, let down by poor cabs until now, which is why I was there. I was led over to their SV26 machine which would fall into many peoples demands here, being in the all important 2.6 tonne towable bracket. I was surprised to be shown how Yanmar as standard do a lovely job of a half auxiliary circuit, which is basically two diverter valves from the bucket ram to power what can be either grab or rotate, making grab installation easy, as there is already another proportional circuit piped up ready. Not only that they actually offer even on this machine as an option a second auxiliary circuit activated by another roller on the opposite joystick, so in theory you can have a small extension on your grab angled by the bucket, and do both rotate and grab from proportional rollers. However one last trick I've never seen is a straightforward potentiometer switch that you can simply dial in the hydraulic speed you want on the circuit! Put simply this mini is putting 100K plus machine setups to shame when it comes to the operating experience with attachments. I had a good look around the rest of the machine and it certainly ticks all the boxes, with an extra 100kg counterweight slice available too which would be ideal. The last thing that really stood out was it has incredible ground clearance, and I've seen some 5 tonne machines with less clearance. Not recommending it to anyone, just one you need to add to a prospective shortlist, as I would have totally ignored it, but well worth a look. Brochure is here. http://www.yanmarconstruction.eu/theme/yanmarportal/uploadedFiles/GB_SV26_0415.pdf Last three images show a lovely simple install to change from bucket ram control to grab or rotate on a timber grab. Eddie.

It hasn't cut a one down yet mate, and as for fortune, lets just say the weather has put paid to making any of that of that at present. However I'm determined this machine setup is A1 before being rolled out, and pretty much there now! Eddie.

Very close to having the new Grapple Saw setup perfected on the Liebherr, and fingers crossed it should be all rounded up tomorrow. It's going to be some tool and has a very clever trick up it's sleeve which is best shown when it's up and running. Just for scale it's pictured here in front of a CAT Backhoe front bucket (same size as a JCB) and is running the smaller 90cm bar until I get the hang of it and put the 100cm version in! Eddie.

Great bits of kit them Alpines, the one Charlieh has is just fantastic and kitted out with duals all round looks stunning. Great video and showcase there Thanks for sharing. Eddie.

Yes my thoughts too, If there was a slot in the butt plate you could pass something through slightly higher than the pickup hitch it would be perfect as it would be trying to force the plate down, but every winch is different and all gets little busy with drive and pulleys where you'd ideally like to be. I'd say on a small winch setup simply get something properly welded on, and if you don't want a projection on the butt plate, get one each side and use a bridle on it to spread the load a bit more. When you start doubling back the larger winches you need to have a serious think about any attachment point, the loads can obviously stack up quickly, hence why I think manufacturers shy away from it. The Chain/Sling around the base of the butt plate is as good a suggestion as any for the very occasional time something more suitable can't be rigged up. Eddie.

I think most have already taken it as read that if a suitable tree or other machine etc were available then that would be used, but if you simply want to double back to the winch there's none I've seen that provide a suitable attachment point? The idea of using a a chain or sling around the butt plate is a perfect solution, but I did wonder if simply a slot in the butt plate that allows attachment back to the tractor pick-up hitch may be a real world solution? Most double line pull situations would only turn messy once people decide to start chaining the front of the winch tractor to trees or more equipment, as the simple fact is if it's not moving it without resorting to such actions probably time for a rethink? Eddie.

A very valid point raised recently about my Tajfun winch, but I actually had appropriate eyes incorporated into the Kubota's own winch mount for doubling back it's recovery winch and would work perfectly for the Tajfun if required too. The Tajfun has a removable towing eye but only rated at 750kg, so of little use. I did think of having something appropriate fitted. Eddie.

That is a sickening sight, is it a Hyundai? Eddie.

You're doing just fine mate, this bloke not so good!! https://www.facebook.com/HEC2014/videos/1686820014921515/ Eddie

There are thumbs on pretty much anything excavator wise when you go to the states or Canada, but they prefer the progressive link type which we never see, but are available over here from the likes of Geith. Hard to find something to explain the difference, but I came across this video and I think it should convey what I'm getting at? The basics are they fold up better and give a much wider working range for very little extra. [ame] [/ame] Eddie.

Offer is always there, plenty have made the trip and gone off to buy all manner of setups that suit their circumstances. Best of luck and put some pictures up on here please as you have an interesting setup there. Eddie.

I'll put this 5cx video up as we're all showing a bit of love for the Backhoe at present, and whatever is said the versatility of them is unreal. You will see a selector grab and Jaw Bucket piped up on it, but I have a friend with the actual pipework fitted to a 3cx if your dealer is stuck. I'll get a picture sent down of a 4cx with Tiltrotator, some bit of kit! [ame] [/ame] Eddie.

Mate, you are more than welcome and no need for kit envy. I'm just as happy on a 25 year old JCB 814 as my daily kit. I know the Tilty job inside out, and hate to see people spend money on solutions that are sold to them just to clinch a deal. Get yourself over and take a look, can I tempt you with a go on the Liebherr! As for God with a machine, always someone better and my last shift will be the day I stop learning in this job! Callum is brilliant, he really will go far in the attachment industry. Eddie.

Forgot to add, JCB do the pipework for a tilt bucket/thumb now I'm certain, but you may be surprised that it's the Backhoe you should possibly be considering the Tiltrotator on? A few have gone this route and the benefits are considerable. Eddie.

Go the Tilt Bucket until you replace the machine is the best advice I can give you, as you really have gone quite a way down the road with attachments already and you will need to press reset to go again most effectively down the Tilty route. Call Callum at Highland Hammers for the best price out there on a Geith Tilt bucket and tell him Eddie told you to call. He is really top guy for attachments and service is fantastic. You are most welcome to come and see my Kubota and have a play, I have pretty much most attachments you'll be looking for and I can talk you through the various options. It'll be the best bit of diesel you will buy, but breakfast is on you! Eddie.

You're not alone, I've seen some top class operators make a complete fool of themselves on my Kubota Kx008 when I had it. I was lucky to have cut my teeth on a Pel Job Eb12 1.5 tonner, and this had the levers out in front. It's just a bit of a freak, as operators can operate them no issues with side mounted servo's but throw in that excavator control pattern on levers in front of them and the wheel literally falls off! If you want to see someone struggle, put them on a Backhoe with traditional sticks out in front, on an excavator pattern, it will blow their mind! Eddie.

Don't get me started!!! A thread on the CE Forum, had someone with one of the latest JCB saying his front bucket and back actor don't work simultaneously anymore?? If only we had camera phones back then, as I did nearly nine years straight on front line Backhoe duties, and basically had to leave to get off them! Money no object I'd have a mint 1990 Turbo+ Grey Cab Sitemaster with front mudguards sitting outside! JCB were really top of the pile then. Eddie.

I have a good friend with a fantastic 2.7 tonne machine and 13 tonne Hookloader setup. I keep telling him to go the Backhoe route and add a nice used example to his armoury, as you really can pick up some serious versatility for not stupid money if you keep away from the JCB kit. He can handle a Backhoe too, which many of his generation can't, and as Matthew rightly said they are a lot of power in a versatile package. These caught my eye? JCB T.C. Harrison Eddie.

Close to the factory here, this was Owner Operator city, with dozens of guys having them back in the day, many now seeing out their time with a pick up or 7.5 tonner with mini in tow. JCB be have been having a real push to get people back into the Backhoe, but the ease of operation has seen the mini/midi really take most of their core work, but when you need a Backhoe nothing else will do. It takes a very skilled man to operate a Backhoe properly, and manufacturers resorted to putting in excavator type controls to attract the mini digger generation onto them. Ask an true Backhoe man, and he'll almost certainly prefer the old style sticks instead of the servo levers, and the jack leg controls between the sticks. Mr Bamford got that right first time with the x pattern, and once mastered it all just flows together. The Midi Duck is on the rise, and this is where the market will go I'm certain? Expect a multitude of trailers and loader type buckets for carrying materials or attachments to go with them. Eddie.

I think if they can just get it right, plus ease their way through the towing legislation to allow the carrying of attachments only whilst travelling to/from sites in a suitable trailer, this really could see the return of your local Owner Operator type guys who were bread and butter JCB 3cx type men. Everyone used to know the local guy with the JCB who would just nip in and do the job, but the advent of the Mini/Midi excavators has really hit this market hard. Not hard to see a forward thinking guy with a range of attachments and the correct choice of tyres, making himself very useful in the local area, without the need for low loaders. Be some tool on floatation tyres, with felling head, towing a decent chipper setup? Interesting times, certainly got my full attention, as all my Kubota attachments would fit. I think the Diverto would need giving to a few high profile UK users to gain some credibility, before it would stand any chance of taking off here? Eddie.