LGP Eddie

It's quite hard to see without the machine in front of you how it all works at the Shear end. The basics of it are that that Shear manufacturer only provides a very high mounting point that loses considerable height at full stretch, and adding in the Engcon unit magnifies this somewhat. The extra weight of the Engcon is not desirable at the extremes of reach/height so I asked John Craig to manufacture this double bracket. To say it's been a challenge for him would be some understatement, but fair play he's done an amazing job on it. The reality is with the bare quick hitch in the rear bracket I can get the maximum possible reach/height without resorting to brackets that simply increase reach/height in the form of an extension. John had so many factors to get around from hoses tilting 70 degrees each way to the simple fact it has to sit flat for transport. Obviously the proof will be in actual use, but it seems perfect so far. I've a few mods being made to the Grapple Saw to give max geometry as obviously this will spend life under the Engcon for the maximum versatility. I have found the bucket I want for it now, and hopefully the guy selling it will come a bit closer to what I see its worth! All being well the machine arrives this week, and I'm looking forward to getting in a big field with nobody looking to give it a good shake down before it goes to work. Eddie.

I thought this quite a neat thumb for those not wanting to weld anything to their machines and be able to remove it completed when on normal duties. Eddie.

Many Thanks for all the kind words, it's been some project so far and should hopefully be completed and all shaken down over the Xmas period. The machine is waiting for its other attachment which will be a big grapple saw running under the Engcon Tiltrotator unit, giving something like an 800 cut in one or obviously more if I choose to step cut it and take it with the machine. The Engcon is fitted with the Ec-Oil system which means I don't get out of the cab to switch between the Shear and Grapple Saw, with the huge benefit of no dangling hoses to get snagged. For those that missed it, the Shear has a never been done before setup where it actually has two Ec-Oil mounting points, one for max reach/height at the rear and one for standard use on top. The Shear is good for 450 mm and with double grippers is the safest available on the market. One little trick is the Shear tilts 70 degrees either way, but if required I can add in the Engcon and control both tilts simultaneously to give 115 degrees of tilt of required. Max reach is approaching 16 metres and height something like 15 but we haven't had the tape on it yet! Transport wise its a sensible 3.2 metres, and as I said before will come with rubber block pads if required. Obviously it will excell at handling duties as well as taking down, with the benefit of the massive lift capacity Materials Handler spec machines have over traditional Long Reach Excavators. The load chart is very impressive, and it would be capable of putting some serious butts onto transport at a reasonable radius. Early days, but I have reserched long and hard on this since my eyes were fully opened to the potential of such a setup. For those wondering if I'm crazy, go back to page one of this thread and you will see its something I've already experienced the benefits of. Eddie.

I'd agree if you're clearing out an existing pool a long reach can have many benefits, but if it's constructing new you have to remember with a long reach you actually lose a weight class in terms of capacity? Basically a 13 tonne long reach carries 8 tonne buckets, a 20 tonne long reach carries 13 tonne buckets etc etc. Eddie.

Have a look around for a 16 tonner if possible, Volvo Ec160, Hitachi Zx160 or 180, Case Cx160 or 180 etc etc as these are the thinking man's machines. Basically you will get them in where your 14 tonner will go, but they will be almost as capable as a 20 tonner. The reason you don't see more is they cost pretty much every penny of a 20 tonner, because some are pretty much just that very slightly scaled down. However they are very popular with Owner Drivers who have realised you end up with a hugely capable machine constructed of components from a larger weight class that have an easier time of it during its operating life. Sounds a nice job. Eddie.

Certainly not a daft question and yes I've ensured its set at full power downwards so it'll dig no problem. As for grading its smooth as silk, but that is Liebherr quality! Sat 3 days with the dipper end 50mm off the floor and never moved! Eddie.

No a Tilt/Elevating cab is a very rare beast, as it's usually Tilt for Demolition and Elevating for Handling. But it's a nice cab, and has great vision, plus I had a top wiper added which should help. Eddie.

Thanks for all the kind words, it's exceeded all my expectations and I'm really pleased so far. Looking forward to getting it to work, and yes it has some projects, but will obviously be looking for more! A fair bit more attachment spec to go on it yet, and there will be a set of Rubber Road pads for it too. It's certainly not for every job, but in the right circumstances, a short burst with this machine, will be an extremely safe and cost effective solution. Eddie.

If you're thinking of moving the Liebherr, you best get a bigger tractor too mate!!

I went to cast an eye over my new Liebherr machine today and he's ready to go apart from another attachment that's on it's way. It's joining the "Wide Boy" Kubota and should make for a pretty efficient setup. Loads of details and firsts in terms of setup on it, and really looking forward to putting it to work. Here's the "Big Feller" Eddie.

Couldn't put it better myself Stephen. Eddie.

Is he the cheapest, hardest working guy you've ever had? Eddie

Fill your boots with this Thread, plenty of inspiration here and loads of guys on Arbtalk have their own "cheapest man on the job" now. http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/large-equipment/53653-digger-grapples-5.html Eddie.

Even a 1.5 tonne machine with basic grapple would be a revelation? A weeks hire is way cheaper than you could ever imagine, use hardly any fuel and will end up the cheapest man on the job. If you get one with expanding tracks it only needs 1metre to squeeze through. Ask around local, someone will be running one. Eddie.

So glad you went first as I kept thinking what am I missing? Plus one here for the Excavator with Grapple. A little tip is cut the bottom off a 45 gallon drum to make a tray, put some embers from the first fire into it and carry it over with the grapple to start the next, saves an age of getting heat into it. Eddie.

I wouldn't unduly worry about it mate, just use a pto pump to give it plenty of oil if the Deere isn't kicking enough out. Having used Nigels on a number of occasions with an Atlas brick/grab loader type crane, it's slower but can handle a much bigger grab, plus obviously is so much better at general crane duties. I think you'll drop on something much easier in the lorry loader range and it'll fold up much better as others have said. Got a real nice PTO pump lying about too!:thumb up: Eddie.

The Tracked Dumper came out dead with my 5 tonne Kubota aided by a Valtra that had duals on all round. Once it was out a little I slid a bog mat under the front of the tracks as a sledge to stop it digging in and the Valtra simply walked away with it to dry land about 30 metres away without any mess. Very Lucky and yes look before you leap as the saying goes! If you haven't been stuck, you've never done any! Eddie.

That was totally my fault! We had cleared a wetland site and to do a tidy up simply chained a bog mat to the rear of the Dumper to drag around and remove all traces of wheel/track marks. The best way is to drive the Dumper skip forwards and actually turn in the water as obviously you don't leave any marks there. It worked brilliantly until there happened to be an old ditch literally a few feet into what we assumed was just inches of water, and we had been tracking past for weeks! Fetched it straight out and no harm done thankfully, if it had been the other way around it would have been a write off! Eddie.

This is probably my most famous incident, and fair play the cake they presented to me for my birthday was an all time classic!:thumb up: Eddie.

Brilliant thread and I've seen some classics over the years best left without photo's I think! Here's one I was asked to nip over and see if I could drive it out! It was rescued with the aid of another 13 tonne machine and some bog mats, with thankfully no damage, apart from a bomb crater in the poor guys field! Whatever the bloke operating it was thinking was beyond me, as I had to walk the other machine over to where he was on mats to prevent it going down too! Eddie.

Jon, Ox Cheek in the slow cooker all day for an unbelievably tasty stew. Hard to get hold of, but it's absolutely my favourite and should be a real bargain cut of meat. Eddie.

I think the new Cooper STT Pro are going to sway a few more from the BFG's by the look of them if priced right, and there looks a good range of sizes. I'm so pleased with my 265 BFG Muds on my 90, I'd have to be virtually given a set of anything else to try first before I switched. STT PRO - Cooper Tires Eddie.

About a week off the unveiling as John Craig is currently doing the Engcon Install, and he's quite a bit to do on this one again. Eddie.

Yes I'd like to see some of that too, it's the best solution all round, and exactly what Menzi Muck do with their unrivalled 'Powerline' setup that simply has to be witnessed running a Mulcher. Engine Packs are a great idea, but I've yet to see someone do it to a factory sort of finish? Eddie.

No the Kubota is going nowhere, but I have bought a Liebherr!:thumb up: Eddie.