LGP Eddie

I know what you're saying! If Landrover flashed that up as the new Defender replacement the queue would be round the block! Eddie.

I think any of the Forward Controls look great, and can be a real head turner used occasionally for business use. This really caught my eye today on Twitter, apparently it's a 101 meets defender! Some serious works and spends by the look of it to me! Eddie.

Forgot to say Cooper STT were second choice for me. Eddie.

Huge vote for the BFG Mud in the above size on a 90. I fitted mine in autumn having had sterling service from the Continentals fitted as standard, and to be honest was a bit concerned I'd gone a bit over the top. However it's quite simply I'll never have another without them on now, and my 90 literally has to do it all, from woods to long motorway journeys plus heavy towing. As for wear, they look as good as new still, so should be set fair for a decent distance. Yes I did have the letters on the outside!! Tin hat on! Eddie.

They're a Weidemann I believe? Telehandler - T4108 | Weidemann Seriously handy bits of kit no doubt, but the PTO on the 3 point linkage version lacks a bit of hp to be of real value. Eddie.

I started looking when I visited Sweden 3 years ago for the large Plant show they have there. The Wacker Neuson stand was huge, and virtually every machine had attachments hanging off them. They really know their kit out there, so it really raised their profile with myself. The new models they have coming through, have on paper class leading potential, and it got me through the Dealers doors this week! Eddie.

I really wasn't knocking it was just the Degree jibe that got me, and this type of written Forum can be bad for things getting misinterpreted. I'm all for you getting on and learning especially with someone to guide you, and I'm a firm believer you only learn in the seat. Greg and myself discussed this today, and he works with me nearly every day, so is well used to being around machines, plus is occasionally called upon where required for dumper loading etc. He's fully trained on a machine, and pretty handy on a Mini Digger, plus he can be trusted to load/unload my own machine if required. However he admitted the gulf between the smaller kit and large is absolutely daunting even to him. He's been on the 25 tonne Long Reach's etc when I've hired them in, and literally bailed out! I was merely suggesting that it may be cost effective to get someone in on a price for the bulk dig and utilise a Mini for the fancy stuff that will follow after, and it may be a decent saving in the longer term? Just one point, be very clear with whoever you hire from just who is insuring the machine? Short Term Hired Plant Insurance can be had online from JCB Insurance who are excellent, and well worth the peace of mind if the insuring falls to you as it should. Eddie.

Make certain they throw in one of them Wacker Neuson Jackets , they are Englebert Strauss! Greg had soon got his eye on one! I hope the deal goes your way, look forward to some images of it in action, and a full report. Eddie.

Now go back and tell them you'll take the larger model if they will do you the Powertilt on the end of the dipper! It's a real tidy setup and will transform your work. I'm certain there are top and screen guards already available, but like I say I was doing my best to encourage them to offer a straightforward package for this type of work with a guarding and LED lighting package to suit. Your Kx61 will sell all day long on here let alone anywhere else, and anyone who manages to get hold of a Kubota U27-4, they are so sought after they would probably go up in money at present! I have perhaps mentioned it before, but anyone remotely interested there will be a serious amount of kit at the Plantworx show and there are always show deals to be had. Eddie.

They have a huge push on that concept, and I know how keen the deal is at present. How do I know? I was down talking to Wacker Neuson about their latest 8 tonne machine, and the largest plant hirer in our area strolled in to cast his eye over the exact same as yourself due to the current offer. He's a CAT man through and through, but he knew all too well, apart from a few mods CAT have, like actually smaller bucket pins, the Neuson is pretty much the same and remarkably well built. CAT don't have access to the tilting undercarriage, so its a big plus for Neuson if you need it. It's been said a few times now on here Neuson are really making huge advances in the UK, and have a really refreshing attitude, plus extremely high specification kit. I've spoke at length with them to put together what basically everyone is crying out for, a 2.6 tonne machine with dual two way proportional auxiliary circuits, additional guarding, led lighting package and trailer ready to go to work. This I'm certain is the ideal base for people to add Timber or Selector grabs, Augers, Breakers etc etc whilst having suitable guarding and lighting for working in this environment. Hopefully they will consider such a setup? The Kubota U27-4 is incredibly sought after at present, but this lacks the dual two way proportional auxiliary that makes life with a grab so much nicer. However I've pointed this out to those that matter, and hopefully it will be available as an option going forward. The Volvo is an extremely strong package at present, with all the boxes ticked in terms of options. If the deal is right I'd have no issue with the Neuson, and if their new 8 tonner loves up to the specs/images it's going to be a game changer for them I'm certain? Eddie.

With the greatest respect they don't hand out any degrees in machine operating for the simple fact you're learning every day until your very last shift. I can do a perfectly good job on a chainsaw with no tickets, my best wellies and boilersuit, and I've never even slept with a chainsaw operator. Like I say it's your money, but a little respect either way for another man's profession isn't too much to ask. Eddie.

Have you any honest friends in the Farming community? Large tractor filled up on nearby farm, straight onto site and fill up directly out of it when required via the machine pump. If the guy has a meter and can fill back up to tell you the litres, you can pay him for it at a rate that probably a little better if he's a decent bulk volume buyer. Nothing stored on site and no spillage issues. Nobody has mentioned even a 500ltr Bunded tank full going missing, which is more possible than many gave it credit for at their cost, can cause serious long faces all round. With the greatest respect, I know many see operating an Excavator as great fun, and it's your money, but have you any idea just how productive you're likely to be compared to someone fully experienced, and what standard of finish is likely. Get the bulk digging done on a price, and save the inevitable Mini digger stuff around the project after for yourself. Eddie.

Is this for yourself, and if so how far would the Haulage be? Eddie.

Hi Jon, It all depends on what size of pipe you're installing, but in general you want the trench as narrow as possible. The reality however is it's generally dictated by what you're digging it with? The old school when stone was a bit cheaper, and you weren't using a trencher was to use a 9" bucket on a JCB 3cx. A hateful operation if in good clay, and you soon get used to forgetting any idea of shaking/banging material out of the bucket. With Mini excavators now, you can go with 9" or even down to 6" on shallow narrow stuff, but far and away the best in terms of trench quality and stone use reduction is to use a tapered Tile Bucket. I have a couple myself, one for 13 tonne machines with different tips for 4 or 6" pipe, plus one for the 8 tonner that will do 4" pipe. It certainly doesn't take long for these to pay, and what many people don't realise is they tend to compact the sides as they dig, helping it to stay upright along with the tapered shape. They also form a nice pipe channel, making a much neater job all round. As for stone, if it's field stuff then 40mm clean is the norm, and you get more volume when buying this in comparison to smaller grades. Hard to say exactly what you will use without knowing the bucket and average depth/width? Eddie.

Looking good Stephen, I've done many projects and shifts on them, and they were always good bits of kit. Very handy to have the Tilt Bucket, and that seems to be piping for a grab there. The two holes are for a Transport Position, (Never gets used) Eddie.

Sorry Stephen, you've slightly lost me here? My mind is saying you are wishing to use the 3 tonner attachments on the 7 tonner? Basically straightforward advice is you can't unless it was something you simply carry like an Auger or Post Knocker? The larger machine will make mincemeat of the lighter attachments! The extra forces generated especially in the Bucket ram are huge, and when this class of machine started to appear, so did a lot of twisted JCB 3cx Buckets! Everyone tried to play a blinder and use what they had in the yard already for the 3cx, and the excavators could eat them. Certain dealers are extremely specific what buckets they will sell you with an 8 tonne Kubota, as these are know for their under spec Bucket killing ability! What attachments are on your list? Grab must be top of it? Steel Tracks is ideal for you. Eddie.

Congratulations Stephen, that is going to open up a whole new world for you! Steel or Rubber Tracks? Eddie.

Just a bit of news on the new kit available front in what will be ideal size spec for many? The first is something many have been waiting to see in what is a real alternative from JCB that finally looks as though they mean business in this class. It is there new 8 tonne machine that really has some nice features, plus a fit/finnish far in excess of what has gone before. A guy on the CE Forum has taken a unit with Steel Tracks plus Two Piece Boom that is finally being offered, and this is obviously a spec of interest. Early days, but it looks a really nice unit with loads of reach. The other is from Neuson who launched their new what is a 9 Tonner this week, and it looks a really tidy bit of kit. I've said a few times on here this is the company to watch, something has changed, they have setup a new UK HQ, appointed some good Dealers and really have been listening to what the market needs. The new 9 tonner has Two piece Boom available, plus I expect the whole range of extra pipework Neuson always provide. Hopefully the Cab will finally match up to the rest of the machine and it could be a class leader? They have also launched what could be a real woods weapon in the form of a 6 tonner with Two Piece Boom. I know all too well just what a difference the boom can make when in a tight spot, so on a 6 tonner it should be brilliant. I hope to get a look at them at the Plantworx show. Lectura Press Eddie.

I just had to share this as it really was an eye catching quality thing. Cutting a long story short I had a night in the as yet unopened Alton Towers Hotel log cabins, and the first thing that met me on the bed was this 2ft diameter ring of timber! Turns out to be a cushion! I just had to find out where it had come from, so upon a bit of Googling, came up with the manufacturers website. Turns out they do a whole range from seats to rugs, even roundwood in different species! You know you want some really! Gallerie Forest | merowings Eddie.

When I replaced all the hoses on my original Engcon Tiltrotator I noticed the hose was called Manuli Rockmaster. The hoses had lasted brilliantly in some arduous conditions, so I sourced the same hose, and it's really good stuff, ideal for grabs and rotators. It's some form of mining hose with high abrasion resistance and flexibility. Eddie.

It's the way forward on a job that size, and a 220 would be well in it's capacity. I'm not a Volvo man, as I had bad experiences with the very early models, but boy have they come a long way from then, all credit to Volvo. Eddie.

Yes Miller Twinlock on 80mm pins and 20 tonne undercarriage/motors. You must have big fields your way if you describe a 220 as compact! Eddie.

Only a little un! It's an EC160 NLC, which was basically specced because it'll pick up the 20 tonne attachments the owner has for his CAT 320, but this is a far handier size machine. It was specced with the Narrow, Long, Carriage and 900mm wide pads, as this gives decent floatation without going crazy on overall width. It should have 45mm cut off the outside edge of each pad, and then it would be 2.9 for easy transport. It also has twin proportional auxiliary circuits and case drain to be able to utilise pretty much anything from a Selector Grab to Screening Bucket. I like it a lot, but it needs a much better mirror package adding, as vision to the rear corners is poor, and a camera is no substitute, for a mirror facing inward towards the counterweight. Eddie.

Yes she has the factory kit, plus the front/top screen guards and Demolition spec side skirts that are well worth having. Not cheap, but all Factory and a lovely bit of kit. Eddie.

I've been handed the keys to this to help out the Kubota on the heavier work. Let's just say I wasn't complaining! It was specced by myself for the owner and is simply a thing of beauty! Eddie.