LGP Eddie

Absolutely no issues for me around here, and I'd say we're blessed with some top guys with such a broad range of kit that are totally trustworthy in terms of simply coming in to do their special bit and go again. I do an awful lot of my work on this basis, just hired to do some special aspect and then gone again, part of the reason none of my kit is ever sign written. Eddie.

Just putting the feelers out in the usual places as i have an fairly urgent need for a Fixed Tooth Mulching Head to fit either a 16 or 20 tonne excavator, the carriers available are 160 Volvo or 320 CAT. Walking leg would be preferable. I will be operating it myself so I'd like to think it's in fairly safe hands. Thanks. Eddie.

Absolutely nothing to worry about in the 5 tonne class Kubota range that's for certain, and the 8 tonne version is simply a marmite case, some love them others not? A U55 in L spec would give you the twin dual acting proportional circuits you require for the grab nicely operated on the levers, and air con. If you don't mind a bit of tail the Kx57-4 in L version is the ultimate pocket rocket, and I'd have no hesitation in buying another. Loads of good kit about now in this size from a range of manufacturers and plenty of deals to be had. Eddie.

We were only talking Tilt Bucket, not Tiltrotator!! Pretty much everything is dual piped on the auxiliary these days, and a Tilt Bucket really isn't a huge investment that will pay back from the second you begin to use it, in many small ways that add up to real savings fast. Scandinavia is easily 5 years plus ahead still, but the UK is catching up very fast! Eddie.

It wasn't intended to be, but the fact it's hopefully heading north this week to John Craig for a finishing touch, may actually make it available should John wish to have it on his stand there. Eddie.

Hopefully this works! Just a quick clip of the Hultdins Grapple Saw running under the Engcon on the Liebherr. To say this has been a challenge for John Craig would be an understatement, but it's hopefully cracked now and I can look forward to hose free unrestricted operation going forward. This setup is unique in that it has a Twin Engcon Ec-Oil setup, that allows me to change it from Horizontal processing/handling to Vertical felling position without leaving the cab. I'm looking forward to getting it shaken down and out to work now. It's set with the bar feed a little slow, and the short 90cm bar whilst we are just playing with it here. [ame] [/ame] Eddie.

I believe Geith have done a bit of work on this after feedback through Highland Hammers on the smaller buckets, and the larger versions pipework you see on the Volvo was the best setup I've seen yet in terms of routing. It even came with flow reducing valves incorporated as standard, which makes it a two minute task to dial the speed in to your own preference. I wouldn't expect the small buckets to come with this, but they are easily added just by the quick release fittings if the buckets are a bit lively! A nice model for smaller machines is the genuine CAT Bucket, which are particularly well finished off. Eddie.

Here's a friends two Geith items on his 1.5 and 3 tonne Kubota's and they look deep enough profile as it is to me? Eddie.

You get that Tilt Bucket and paint your own! Single ram is plenty on a 3 tonne, I suppose it's the usual case of get what you pay for, but plenty to choose from. Nothing really to look out for apart from asking if any of the pivots have replaceable bushes, as obviously this can make keeping everything in top condition a lot easier and cheaper. Eddie.

Just come onto Mascus, what a line up of what is without question one of the best machines you could choose for arb/forestry work if you can move it about. These are Bombproof! Kubota KX161-3 Chelmsford, Essex, UK Mini excavators < 7t (Mini diggers), Year of manufacture: 2008 - Mascus UK 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.