LGP Eddie

Bought my current Defender and had it over 3 years unit a guy said, I bet you'd never let that plate go? I've never got around to changing it on the back of the Defender as it will look better on the square plate, but not bad for a fluke! DU6 0WLE Eddie.

Hard to describe here but basically you are building something like a mini Tiltrotator setup, hence once fitted it will actually control one of those as well. Easiest way for everyone reading to understand it is the digger is just the mother ship and gives life to a valve in whatever attachment you fit via a simple flow and return circuit. The SVAB controls that valve proportionally give exceptional control and the blood only flows from mother ship to baby attachment so to speak when demanded. This can then be anything from a tiny bit to rotate something or a straight full bore instantaneous hit for your saw cassette. The real beauty is you can then set your joystick pattern to whatever attachments you choose to fit and make it logical rather than loads of changeover buttons pedals and the like. That's the very basics of how my Kubota can go from Tiltrotator to Mulcher or Harvesting Head and I never get out of the cab! John Craig is a wizard with SVAB you would think it was plugged into him! Eddie.

I would speak to John Craig at Jcc Engcon Stirling and ask him about a basic SVAB control system for it. The basics of it is, you will have your single acting hammer circuit plugged into a valve on the grab unit. An electrical wire will then control that valve via SVAB to give you proportional control of each function you require, and then you can have this translated into any setup you like at the joysticks in terms of rollers or buttons. The beauty of it is you just need one set of hoses and the electric wire which keeps things super neat. Done properly by John this will be plug and play for an Engcon Tiltrotator unit should you decide to drop on one in future, plus is all transferable should you switch machines. John would offer you a whole range of piped solutions too, but the SVAB is great for such instances of using a single acting circuit to perform multiple functions with fantastic control. Eddie.

Got all that and sounds a good unit. Is this going to be your main attachment, used in anger daily type affair or just another string to your bow tool in the toybox? What I'm really trying to establish is do you want a very neat solution that may cost a bit more, or having dangling hoses and plenty of buttons to press/changeover isn't going to really matter for more occasional use? What sort year is the CAT? Eddie.

Dave, at Wheels n Tyres Cheadle for BFG's:thumbup:

How's your grapple saw mounted? Dangle mount with rotator? How many sets of auxiliary lines do you have? Button's or rockers on the joysticks to control them? I at this point see absolutely no need for anything along the lines of what you're describing, modern machines are designed for attachments and a grapple saw isn't going to test it anything like a mulcher would? Eddie.

Cooper SST were second on my list after BFG Mud terrains and I have never heard anything but positive about them. I did also consider the Cooper ST Maxx, I really liked the look of those as an all rounder? The Kumho however is some Mud Tyre, Natural England's Toyota Hi Lux would get around pretty well on them, and you know they are about as good off road as a Wacker Plate! Eddie.

As far as I know it may be still there, one to get if you can it has all the mods and never even had the teeth turned yet. Gregor McArthur 07976839462 Olly give me a bell as that thing we were talking about is still there exact spec. Thanks for the kind words everyone, and yes that is one thing with mulching you can see where you've been, even if sometimes you wish you could see where you're going!! Eddie.

Swapped my FAE Head in for the just released version and seriously impressed so far.:thumb up: This place is a total voyage of discovery, and a real challenge, but satisfying when you see where you've been. Eddie.

The only point to them is unfortunately should the worst happen and you are faced with proving competence. The card will do that immediately, as will any In House tickets also, then things move on to the Trainer having to prove his competence to train you. I am not against any of the safety aspect and think the Safety refresher should actually be more frequent? What I am against is having the card taken away after 5 years if I don't turn up with a book of lies and then sit and answer questions about machines that have no relevance to my ability to Operate it. What is required is a much harder skills test that would take a decent Operator 3 to 5 years to work towards. Pass this and you achieve a ticket that actually proves your worth a little more and adds value to the job. Employers and Clients would know you must be something like to start with, instead of the simple fact it's a complete lottery what skill lies behind that category on a card? Time the whole lot got tipped upside down in favour of the people paying out and get some of this need to carry a load of different schemes thrown out. Where the hell did stuff like this Rolo come from and why didn't companies simply get together and say No! There is more than enough out there to prove you've attended your box ticking and we should be removing these made up ones not adding to them. Eddie.

That and the fact some Insurance companies especially in Construction will insist on CPCS Operators, as again this is a very quick way of proving competence? The only thing they prove in real life is the guy has handed over his cash to the latest version of the money grabbing scheme, before the goalposts are moved and we all go around again at more expense!:thumb down: I don't know if it's ever been tested, but at what point would the Judge accept you were competent, assuming you could put a couple of bus loads of quality people in the dock to vouch for you? Eddie.

CPCS is acceptable as a basic excavator unit on FMOC I think, but most will look at you blank when you even mention FMOC? Too many schemes out there and not a one anything more than a box ticking money making racket. Back in the day the Foreman would know by breakfast if you could operate the machine or not! Eddie.

I am loathed to even type it, as I hate the whole stinking system with a passion, but it simply has to be a CPCS, until someone finds a way to break up the money grabbing cartel that provides us with nothing more than a carded workforce not skilled. Other schemes are available but in my opinion CPCS is instantly recognised everywhere without issue. Eddie.

Personally I'd take a look first? A Mulcher will absolutely have a part to play, but it could be covered in half decent size Birch that many would be happy to pay reasonable money for if accessible roadside. Could help offset costs somewhat? Eddie.

We do a fair bit of wetland stuff, and everyone I know has the Hunter Forester 3000 including myself. The comment not everyday wear is probably the best bit of advice I could give as well, as they are simply heavy! I would think Firefighter type wellies would be pretty good quality, but never really researched if they do chainsaw rated ones? Eddie.

Great bits of kit, and better if they have a vertical sensor on them to help get the arm/bucket in the same position each time for a more accurate check. Some lads put them on a pole on the grading bucket when levelling to give a consistent grade to work to, and it can be incredibly accurate with a bit of practice. They do them now with a wireless repeater screen that goes in the cab, and this can be placed more in line of sight to assist accuracy. Some are now 360 degree receivers too that can grab the laser signal from a much wider range, but obviously if the arm gets in the way it's not going to work. I think you'll like it. Eddie.

First time it came on the radio, I had to get out the machine as I thought I'd tracked over a Cat!:thumb down: Not the best I think? Eddie.

Sounds Perfect. I'll be in touch monday thanks. Eddie.

Looking for someone to deliver EFAW+F course asap in North Staffordshire I have enough I would anticipate to fill one course easily, but I'd expect two once word gets around. There are a variety of suitable training venues depending on what you require available, and catering etc will be sorted. Everyone is there to learn and I want it to be a real world comprehensive course, not just a box ticker, as these lads have my back and myself theirs should the worst happen. Post your number up here as it may be useful to others, or PM me if you prefer Thanks. Eddie.

Even harder getting the right man in the seat of them! Eddie.

These wheels are usually used for cutting Tarmac especially in Scandinavia, but this guy has combined the Integral Gripper of his Engcon unit and his Pizza Cutter to a whole new level. These Mini Rubber Ducks are going to explode one day in the UK marketplace, as they are just so versatile. [ame] [/ame] Eddie.

It works perfectly with a Motor, but an excavator obviously has a very good hydraulic system at it's heart. I think Wilsons had a customer do an Igland too with a hydraulic motor and sprocket to the chain drive. Eddie.

For an Igland I'd go straight to A&B Services in Scotland as they do Hydraulic ones fitted to Excavators. Eddie.

Never happier than behind the levers with a bit of a challenge. Doing a big ditch at present and it's all on show so pressure is on to get it spot on. Nice Volvo to do it with and makes the day a pleasure. Eddie.

Came up to North Staffordshire no issue and top job.