LGP Eddie

Yes it's a perfectly reasonable thought that's been done many times before in various forms. You need to google 'Plantpull Towbar' and do a bit of digging about especially in the images section. I couldn't get anything in particular to link to but it's there? The company website has now gone, so I'm assuming they packed up, but there is a mobile number knocking about certainly worth a call? Plantpull as you will find was exactly as you describe, a purpose made CE marked and 3.5 tonne rated towbar for the 3cx Backhoe. If you can't find the company and hopefully locate them (I think they were approx £450, but you're paying for the approval) then you will easily copy it from the images? Eddie.

Looks some bit of kit, but you need to be able to run the crane from the driving seat to make these effective? I was told this particular one showed signs of a rollover at the auction, but may have been fully repaired now, as it looks tidy. That floating Hitachi is something else, and I really don't know why Land and Water would part with it at such low hours?? Eddie.

Thanks, It's really all I do, so can be very demanding when specifying. Take a look at this video of the Engcon system and EC-Oil in action. It's basically the same setup as my own, and may answer a few, or throw up more questions? If the Kubota doesn't make it to the show, you're still welcome to come and have a look if you're up this way. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffFrhZjDNwU]engcon EC-Oil - Svenska - YouTube[/ame] Eddie.

On my setup with Engcon Tiltrotator, the actual grab is picked up via a quick hitch under the Tiltrotator unit, and would be what you would call a 'fixed head' not 'free swinging' setup. Thus my bucket ram is still in full normal operation giving me the ability to still crowd the grab as if it's a bucket. The actual grab is plugged into the auxiliary pipes that are under the Tiltroator unit, via a centre swivel giving full 360 continuous rotation plus the ability to angle the grab 45 degrees either way. It all adds up to being able to manipulate the grab any which way via a combination of the three movements, and the neat trick on my Engcon is that it connects the auxiliary pipes itself without leaving the cab! As for the actual grab control, I have a choice of using non proportional buttons which I prefer as they leave my thumbs unhindered to tilt and rotate, or a fully proportional roller, which I save for very accurate work. It's all hard to explain without the machine in front of you, but there's a fair chance it may be at the APF and if anyone wants a closer look just ask. This joystick is very similar to my own, but I have additional rollers fitted to it! The only timber crane I operate regularly is Greg's Farma Crane, on two levers plus a single lever to operate the grab function. This has rotate on the lever and I have no issues with it? Eddie.

For what is supposed to be a bit of friendly take it or leave it advice over how a grab can be simply piped to an excavator, it certainly seems to get people a bit excited! My take on it, and no I don't need to list up my credentials, is that just about everyone has been correct so far? My preferred method would be to have the grab operation off the servo lever, via a simple 'T' into the bucket crowd ram setup and single tap. I think the grab operation is more intuitive on the lever to replace the bucket action and have no issues with a less accurate rotate. However as is very rightly pointed out, this may require some form of flow reducing to get the rotate to a controllable level that the operator is comfortable with? Doing it opposite if it suits you or you don't want to bother reducing flows etc will produce the better result first off, as obviously you get a controllable rotate plus a quick grab action without any further modifications? Like I say, it's whatever suits you and nobody is right/wrong as far as I can see? One factor nobody has throw in, is the fact that some may want to still pick up a short extension piece on their existing quick hitch to give more reach and variable geometry? This can be achieved by going for the Offset Boom controls instead of the Bucket Crowd? There should be little need to utilise the offset on grab work, and depending on machine you may have a nice set of two way pedals on the floor, one for offset and the other for auxiliaries. A simple 6 way solenoid changeover into the offset pipes and then follow the existing auxiliary pipes down the boom/dipper will give you two sets of auxiliary lines with which to operate the grab and keep everything else standard to pick up the short extension piece. It won't suit all machines, as some have offset on a changeover from slew on the servo lever. One thing I'd like to point out is that as excavators become more popular for such applications, people really need to keep their eyes open when purchasing for models that are especially suited for running attachments. Obviously if purchasing new, then all the manufacturers options can be looked at, but I can tell you with all honesty sometimes the importers themselves aren't even aware what is available, as the UK has traditionally been such a basic market in machine specification terms. Go to certain parts of Europe and you will see all manner of pipework hanging from machine dippers. If purchasing used, it's can be worth seeking out machines with the extra circuits, and if something like a Kubota with a single proportional double acting line via a rocker switch, plus a single standard double acting line via buttons, can result in a nice factory setup. Komatsu can be very nice in this respect an I was impressed with the new CAT of Stephens setup too. I'm very lucky to have the setup I currently have with virtually everything on proportional rollers on the joysticks including Tilt, Rotate, Tracking (Forward/Reverse) Tracking (Left/right) Blade, Gripper, Two speed Tracking, Changeover and Horn! I can stress enough, that a good intuitive setup, is a safer setup, plus will result in better production and a tidier job. Eddie.

Oh it was cool alright! Looked and sounded fantastic, often seen around town in Leek at the time, I'd have loved a go in it!

It's some bit of kit, but it'll never beat an ESARCO! There used to be an ESARCO running about in these parts, and it would literally stop traffic, some bit of kit and no worries with the steering lock! Eddie.

I thought it pretty trick myself Stephen? It seems to have a decent reach and capacity on the crane, which folds up very neatly completely, but could do with some form of front grab bar whilst out and in use. The butt plate/blade/winch setup looks tidy and combined with the clam bunk setup should shift some serious size timber. It's lacking either the facility to remove the bunk for a bolster bed, or would need to be equipped with a bolster trailer setup to move roundwood. The felling grapple looks unusual, in that it seems you can fold the cutting knife out of the way for traditional grab use? Hard to see in the video, I was trying to find out more? Certainly looks a power packed little beast that would multi task well and not make much mess? A nice big Bandit on tracks following you about remote controlled, plus a Chainsaw operator would see a really versatile clearance setup? Eddie.

Just found this beauty! Stephen will need a lie down after this!! I assume it's available and will be all CE marked etc good to go, just add bolster trailer! MIG-/MAG-Schweisser (m/w) Eddie.

Banged to rights there! She's a 'Midi' and a pretty big one at that! I just posted up to show people an idea of why you may use an Excavator instead of a traditional tractor mounted setup, and the fact that sometimes not being able to track and flail is not a huge disadvantage if you play to your strengths. I think these Avant's look a fantastic bit of kit and should travel light enough if used sensibly. I wonder what the Residual value is like compared to say a 1.5 tonne excavator or even the skip loading dumper which are really handy tools, that have been converted nicely in some instances to mini loaders? This is the tool that really caught my eye? Looks a really handy bit of kit and towable too? Wacker Neuson doubles telehandler series | Construction News | The Construction Index Eddie.

A few pics from some mowing today for those who still wonder about going up against one with the clearing saw! Pictures don't do this justice, but the ground here is very soft (Operating the machine is like being on a bouncy castle), whoever originally created these ditches placed all the spoil in a nightmare sharp bund instead of level, and they don't want to grade them flat to enable them to be cut easily with a Tractor setup? This is a classic case demonstrating why sometimes you need an Excavator (they have rolled a Tractor into here previously trying to cut them) and this has all been worked in one single pass, by completing the area in reach and moving on. There's approx 4 hours work there? I tidied up this bit of grass on the way out! Trust me if the machine wasn't really LGP you wouldn't get out alive for crossing this grass! Eddie.

The grab shells are made from quite a thin material that help to get a bite, and it will if you're not careful dig into turf or stone you're clearing up off quite easily. No issue getting a full bucket in most materials or spoil you will encounter, and for the cost of them a valuable addition to the machine. With regard to stumps, you really have to be careful, which is pretty much down to having a good Operator, and Greg get's spoilt by an Excavator Operator who's kind enough to turn over any of the nasty ones for him! Eddie.

That RT400 can't be described as 'Nice'? It's in the 'Need to wipe the screen' category!!

This is the best I've got for now, you'll have to zoom in a bit, but I can get you some of them close up later in the week if you like? The strip needs to be on the back of the cutting edge if you use the ditching bucket, it's not a big strip that the grab ends go into, I'd say about 40mm, and then the two small brackets with a couple of bolts to secure. Simple but really handy I can tell you! Eddie.

I assume you meant a 35 tonne Excavator for 30 Acres? Try Gregor Mc Arthur, he's in Hexham and will sort you with a Head or know exactly who/what you need for the job. Gregor McArthur Hagwood yard, Whitley Chapel, Hexham, Northumberland. England NE47 0HB Mobile: +44 (0)7976 839 462 Eddie.

The main fact many stay away from hire of Tracked Dumpers is the fear of a broken track! Whatever the circumstances, it pretty much falls to the Hirer under the CPA Model conditions, and the huge resulting bill for replacement and fitting will strain the best of customer relationships. It is pretty common knowledge that there are some real cheap tracks out there that are basically ticking time bombs for hirers, and the consequences are costly. Greg will only go out with his machine with himself operating, and in such instance if the track breaks it's his lookout. It's sometimes worth getting the larger dumpers operated, with written terms who is paying for track breakages, and I've done this myself to minimise risk. You're spot on about the reverse engineering rollers, but we're just engineering what will hopefully be a very quick low cost rebuild option to keep them going for several lifetimes. Eddie.

What model Tracked Dumper were you quoted at £300 each for Bottom Rollers? We had quotes ranging up to £750 each for Mitsibushi LD400 or Kubota RG60, and eventually got them a touch under £700 each. These could be sourced at £450 until recently, but it's almost a closed shop supplying them and prices are ridiculous. Eddie.

Whatever pays the bills really, but the shells were bought to move Heather Brash on a restoration job which they did brilliantly. Time was against us, so we upgraded the Farma grab to a larger version and purchased the shells with the grab. They take seconds to fit or remove with just two bots holding them in, but power wise they're unbelievable and will get a full bucket every time in that 40mm clean stone. We had a metre of concrete dropped last week by one of those volumetric mixers. I instructed the driver to simply drop it in the gateway and he looked puzzled, but his face when Greg came flying up with the Dumper, spun the seat around and grabbed the lot up without a shovelful left in the time he could stow his conveyor setup was a classic! Eddie.

I forgot to add versatility is the key to these, and Greg's just keeps finding more and more roles to play. It has moved countless concrete pipes on the last project, besides us finding the bucket shells work very well for drainage stone, concrete etc. Eddie.

With regard to the rollers, check to see if you can find a very small plug between the flanges in the centre with an allen head. You'll have to look carefully for it, obviously you need to rotate the roller to look all around it and possibly do a little scratching about, but hopefully you'll find them. This is where you can top the rollers up with oil and start to see just what you have. Basically if the oil comes straight out then these are on their way out and need immediate attention. The ones that hold are sound, but check them regularly. We have replaced a few (at huge expense) to give us rollers in differing states of repair, and are in the process of having differing repair solutions machined. If all works out the rollers should have a second like and we have differing methods to compare which will last longest. The top roller was very simple, once the bearings were removed, a number was found and easily sourced, plus some large 'O' rings to match the originals then good to go again. I think the first step is price them up and have the heart attack, adjust your rate to suit the workload, and then replace at least two well before time to give you plenty of options for a home sourced second life repair. We hope if all goes well to have a straightforward £80 rebuild cost on rollers, but the initial repair will involve machining etc, so probably £250 for the first repair and £80 a pop after that? The last rollers were quoting over £700 each!!! Eddie.

If you want to tow your 8x5 Ifor tipper which I assume has no electric tip, then simply tap into the blade supply to have full control over tipping from the comfort of your seat. I fully agree on how the trailer will hinder turning, with perhaps a single axle trailer on larger diameter floaty tyres being ideal, but again something else to get to site. Eddie.

Plenty of people don't want the associated mess of a full commercial forestry operation, and we've had considerable success with the unit bought from Stephen. Little and often is the way, and you'd be shocked just what these can shift in a day? We mainly load with the Excavator, as it's much quicker that way, leaving the Dumper to stack, but on a recent project we had a Roofmount Valtra stacking and the Dumper simply running to him and tipping out in front of him. The Valtra operator is the real deal, but come breakfast time, he had to admit he could only just clear the load in front of him before the next landed! We ran all day, and apart from a scrape over of the road where we were tipping, not a mark in sight. The Valtra operator doubted he could do one run with his bolster trailer across the site! There is a big price to pay in undercarriage terms on these Dumpers, and ignore it at your peril! You may think everything is rosy, until the Rollers start packing up and you may consider breaking the dumper for spares rather than the cost of a new undercarriage? We have however with a lot of legwork begun to swing the balance back and hopefully have lower priced solutions to give rollers a second life. I'm just interested what your current setup is, if a tracked dumper goes straight down then you're heading towards water not peat! Trying to put 4ft Bandtracks on a bit like the Drew Graham Forwarder setup John Craig built with 2 metre pads took some serious engineering by John, and at times it seemed almost a step too far for even a man of his talents. How they got the figures to stack up would blow my mind on commercial rates? The crane is plenty big enough, and a good man can get some monster pieces onboard! But you should see what they will pull, and the skip makes for a monster Butt plate! I suspect the controls are located there Stephen because the seat possibly won't turn on this model? Shall you fit a place to stow the crane over the front? Eddie.

Not trying to knock the trailer route, and it's what I use myself behind my Defender 90, but it's really hard to recommend when you've tried the 7.5 tonner route? I think 'not ideal' as you say is possibly the best description, along with 'needs must' or 'use what you have', and it's all a balance like you describe against the other aspects of workload that may take priority. I'm not familair with the in's and outs of them but you sound ideal for one of the fifth wheel type setups that should give good balance and traction for your applications? I bet they cost though! The guy with the full setup I know, actually uses his 7.5 tonner as his daily drive now having moved his small van on. He says the fuel consumption of the 7.5 tonner is excellent and he's always got everything he needs with him and can easily bring the machine back to safety when required. Eddie.

Sounds like a fair bit of thought going into the setup there, and in my opinion way better than the trailer route. Have you thought of combining your 750kg trailer allowance into some kind of 'Digga Barrow' trailer setup for actual use on site behind the machine, or perhaps some sort of flat/bolster trailer with lgp tyres if that's more your work? Try building this for the money they're asking? Could be seriously useful behind a 3 tonne machine? MOD Tipping trailer 2200kg flotation tyres fantastic trailer | eBay I think the saw was a 'Limbinator' or something like that, but it wasn't crazy money and had the all important CE marking, but I've yet to hear an actual user review? Eddie.

Some great posts on this thread, and pleased to see a few more have seen the light that a 1.5 tonner or maybe now larger, is "the cheapest man on the job!" I've posted this up a few times usually based on the Takeuchi TB016 model which has recently received a nice upgrade, but my basic point was, you can pick them up secondhand at around 6.5k, spend virtually nothing on them for 3 years and move them on for perhaps same or very little less money. They're easy to transport, pack a punch way over their size, expanding tracks help keep it the right way up, and usual wear parts are cheap. The main point really was you could try one out to see if it works within your business model, and you'd not lose your shirt if you need to get out of it. Like a few here, you'll perhaps get hooked and find your projects demand something a little larger? I'm not familiar with the small loader market, but you possibly get stung for a chunk of depreciation in the same instance? I'd say the leap after that is usually to what could be described 3 tonner, but mainly it's something transported on a 7.5 tonner, with the Truck/Body/Machine/Attachments combined weight being an equation the end user will have to work out for their own needs. I have a good friend with petty much the ultimate setup in this class, being a 7.5 tonner, lightweight body, Komatsu PC27mr, Engcon Tiltrotator, Grab, Breaker and Auger plus Buckets, all fitting tidy and legally on the truck. Some go the 2.6 tonner and trailer route, but it wouldn't be my first choice in terms of trying to remain legal whilst getting a full working days kit and attachments to site. Anyone using this setup, blag a go in 7.5 tonne beavertail, and you'll not want to use your trailer again! With regard to the never ending argument of an Excavator mounted Flail Head, quite simply forget thinking you're trying to replace a conventional Tractor mounted setup, it's completely different! There is simply no way you can effectively Track the machine and Flail at the same time, and pretty much any action of the base machine will rob some flow from the head. There is only one (perhaps two) solutions to this, which is basically fit a powerpack to the machine to separately power the head, or fit additional pumps. You will be told of 'tricks' to get pumps to work together etc, etc, and I've known people throw good money away at this. Manufacturers don't fit engines with massively spare capacity, so if someone magically claims to have found a way to power a head fully without robbing machine functions, it would come as a surprise, plus would probably require a whole new cooling setup? The basic fact is you simply cut what's in front of you and move on with an Excavator, and quickly learn to live with what you've got. Trust me you wouldn't want to go against the most basic setup with a Clearing saw, and use the Excavator to it's strengths, wet, steep, tight awkward places where you can't get a conventional Tractor based setup. For anyone doing more domestic stuff, take a look at the reciprocating type cutters, as these will produce a much neater finish, plus demand very little oil, so you'll perhaps even be able to track along with these? Whatever takes your fancy in attachments really, and I just seem to keep finding more and then wondering how I ever managed without them! Eddie.