LGP Eddie

When I picked up my Defender 90 from new I was fully anticipating the almost road pattern General tyres they were fitting at the time. My plan was to fit either the General Grabber AT2 which I think are superb or try out some Coopers which appear to be gaining in popularity. Much to my surprise I had the first set of Continental Cross Contact AT into the dealership which looked pretty handy so I thought I'd leave them on. After 42,000 miles these tyres still look pretty much like new and the performance across a whole range of conditions has been truly remarkable. They are quite a narrow profile and I'd prefer something a little wider in some applications, but after 3 seasons of hard work they've not let me down and the wear rate seems excellent. I'd be interested in any Cooper ST reviews? Eddie.

Many Congratulations Joy, and I'll second the fact it's great to see people moving forward from all the hard work they put in. You'll never see Rohan now out on site with all the toys, but he's not getting the mobile canteen back it's been our salvation this winter! Eddie.

It's hard to say how much the mods raised the machine but I suspect approx 100mm? When it was widened, the angle of the track frame means the widened portion is actually pointing downwards hence lifting the machine up slightly. With an Hitachi there is no need for any of this extra work just bolt the pads on and go, but the top roller mods are worth doing for longer term or heavier applications. Eddie. Some pics that will show better how much it's raised and also follow the angle portion of the track frame to find the join? The standard track pad is sitting on the new pads and if that won't pull her out she's not coming!

No problem, I've dug a few pics up that hopefully show what I mean about the top roller mods and my 900 pads over standard. You'll perhaps note the extra clearance the widening gives by raising the machine. Eddie.

I'd suggest you go for an Hitachi ZX70 on steel tracks if this is within budget or an nice late EX60 will be a cheaper option otherwise. With one of these it is a simple operation to bolt on wider pads up to 800mm which will give plenty of floatation as the Hitachi is quite a light unit anyway. I do believe it's possible to even squeeze 900mm pads on without mods but without measuring I couldn't confirm this. You can easily fabricate bolt on blade extensions so it will all go back to standard if you move it on. The only mod you would really need if you run this configuration longer term is to replace the single top roller with two bottom rollers on fabricated mountings. Again very easily done which will help carry the weight of the pads and keep the track more retained as it runs along the top. Hitachi's are brilliant machines and I've never had any issues with them at all. To be perfectly honest they would be my first choice excavator most of the time, but in the 8 tonne class they lack a large diameter slew ring (hence easy to put big pads on) and are a lighter build than the Kubota in some important areas. Eddie.

I did see quite a number out in Sweden at the big plant show there, and they do seem to have a broad range of models plus some unusual specs. They are a tidy looking bit of kit and their small Rubber Duck is certainly an impressive bit of kit. Perhaps the fact that they make the smaller CAT excavators for them now says something of their credentials? I suppose price would be the factor that has people looking at them, but I really don't know where they sit in the marketplace? However for me I'll take a look at the Takeuchi tb285 just to settle my mind, but I really hope to get one of the very first Dash 4 8 tonners into the UK, before sending it to Scotland for some reworking. Eddie.

I suspect the Dash 4 Kubota is going to be a substantial chunk of money more than a Dash 3 Alpha, rumours are around high 50's and I believe they will both run alongside each other for a short while. I've done some searching for specs and I believe the Dash 4 is going to be pushing out 70hp now, but I'm hoping to make my way over to BAUMA in Munich next month to see it in the flesh and make my mind up from there. I don't think there's much wrong with Neuson products and they do make some unusual high spec variants of their machines. If you have a sound local dealer for backup certainly worth a look? Anyone looking for smaller machines that are Zero tailswing without the compromise cab, take a look at the new Kubota U35-4. How Kubota have managed to get basically the same cab as my 5 tonne KX57 onto a 3.5 tonne zero swing machine is beyond me, but reading through the specs it looks like they've raised the bar more than a few notches over the competition and finally float position for the blade. Eddie.

The ram is certainly the ideal way to improve the job and if the Takeuchi had two way auxiliary we'd be doing the same thing. To be honest I've never looked to see if it has a two way setup as standard, but if it does then perhaps we'll look for a ram instead of tractor top link. For the money brilliant value and all credit to Digbits who had them on the shelf. Eddie.

Just an update to show the finished job last week. It took a fair bit of sorting out and the previous occupants had certainly left the site in a mess and there were rocks simply everywhere! I got a bit of heavier muscle in for a couple of days to move material about and finish the larger flat area and the landowners were happy with the results. Eddie.

I've just had a patch of Rhodie we couldn't access with the Mulcher and needed a solution to get things moving quickly with the guys I have available. The answer was in the form of a friends Takeuchi TB016 that I regularly hire and getting it equipped with a thumb. Having searched about, we collected this from Digbits for £275 plus VAT and it's been simply brilliant. Well built and easily fitted it's transformed the machine and the owner was pretty upset he'd not gone one the day he bought the digger! The only thing is the lack of adjustment in the stay rod, and we're going to switch this out for a converted tractor top link that will allow the thumb to be positioned more accurately to suit different buckets. A nice hydraulic setup would be really nice, but for the money this has paid for itself in a week. Eddie.

With the correct pads on machines like the conventional Takeuchi or Kubota that have slightly reduced radius they're so close to zero it doesn't matter, I'd still maintain you're better off than the telephone box cabs and limited access panels that come with zero tailswing machines. The pads are 900mm and I hope to upgrade to the Dash 4 Kubota if it's as good as my current Dash 4 KX57. Eddie.

[quote You would be a fool not to buy a Takeuchi 180 zero tail. Very powerful hydraulics and great for forestry and also fantastic for construction work. You'd also be a fool to land yourself with the horrendous takeuchi FR offset arrangement that will end up a sloppy mess very quickly. Don't get hung up on Zero swing as it comes with so many other issues from cramped cabs to poor maintenance access and less stability. They also tend to have higher centre's of gravity which isn't ideal for the steep stuff, plus generally wide undercarriages with narrow track pads as opposed to keeping things a sensible width and pushing the pads wider. Very few situations where the zero swing will be an advantage, but the day to day compromises on the machine have to be lived with all the time. I rate certain Takeuchi models very highly and their new standard 8 tonner looks superb, but the latest Kubota Dash 4 is out very shortly too to possibly raise the bar again? One thing 8 tonners are really eating into 13 tonne market now. Eddie.

Obviously I'm going to vote Kubota, but that's backed by nearly 3 1/2 years of use in some pretty tough going with a multitude of attachments and I doubt it's ever done more than a handful of hours with simply a bucket direct to the quick hitch. The simple fact is the Kubota has the metal in them in the right places and if you compare the slew rings of something like the CAT or Hitachi they are simply tiny, which isn't great for constant attachment use. The same goes for pin sizes and only Takeuchi have upped the stakes with their latest offering which I'm keen to get a look at. Having had about 50 days constant use with an FAE DML/HY fixed tooth head on the machine, this really is pretty much as good as it gets out of a standard 8 tonne excavator and I'd look to go with a power pack if I upgrade in future. There have been no cooling issues and the Kubota is fully intended to utilise attachments with a 4 line setup as standard. For a good all rounder get some 600mm steel tracks on a KX080 and it'll be close enough to zero swing anyway. Change the top rollers for a bottom roller (easily fabricated) to get a better grip on the chain and make certain you have the track guide plates installed. The blade will require two small extensions to cover the extra width, but with this done you'll have a great all rounder that's still compact enough. Wait a month or so and you can have my 8 tonne unit! As for Kubota backup, very good anyway but you'll not need much if you look after it. As for the others, I'd put Takeuchi and Hitachi level second as both are superb machines with the Volvo/Komatsu third for being zero swing machines with all the hassles that brings in terms of access issues and balance. The CAT, forget it! They have absolutely no vision or tracking power whatsoever. Eddie. The Kubota can be Zero swing too!

I have a Herbst Contractor low loader which is basically a pretty low spec unit, but perfect for the application I required it for. I would say the quality is certainly good and better than some examples of trailers I have seen. The only issues I have is problems getting grease into some of the nipples properly, but apart from that it's been an excellent bit of kit. If I go again with a low loader I'll probably opt for a Kane unit as I very much like their hydraulic beavertail unit that doubles as a flat trailer and they build really nice units. I'd recommend you look at an NC low loader as I'd consider these to be an excellent trailer that is very well thought out, with nice touches like the wooden floor higher than the metal side rails that helps loading tracked machines considerably. Mine was ex demo so the price won't help you much but they're all usually keen for a deal. Eddie.

Just returning it to bare soil minus all the mulch and shooting debris, but the rocks have to stay put. It's a bit of a nightmare as obviously a wider bucket will bridge over the rocks leaving material behind and teeth will snag on them plus tend to dislodge them. It really takes no longer to do it to this standard than the previous half effort, just a good showcase of the tilt rotators ability in such an application. I'd not say that was manicured just clean, and I could get fussy with a powered brush on the Engcon to scrub the rocks! Eddie.

Just a few picture of the current site I'm on with the 8 tonne Kubota unit. Basically it's a restoration job and the site has to be cleared of all bracken mulch and debris from the previous clay pigeon shoot operation. A previous contractor has actually claimed to have completed the work on this site! I'm not getting involved in any of that just cracking on to get it done, but it does demonstrate what's possible with a Tiltrotator system fitted as following all the rocks/contours is quite a challenge. The job is plenty steep in parts and the rocks certainly make things fun when they get under the tracks providing no traction whatsoever! I'm only a day into the job and feeling my way about, trying to sort out the previous efforts. However it's a lovely site and cracking view, with plenty of challenge to concentrate the mind. Eddie.

Tom, I might be tempted to move my full spec Farmi 260HFC on? It's immaculate and done very little work, ideal for crane feed with the conveyor and foot pedal controls for infeed. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZWshqt9oB4]Moorlands Specialist Excavations Farmi 260HFC Chipper. - YouTube[/ame] Eddie.

Tom, Are you looking to Hire or Purchase a machine? Eddie.

Not an Ag Rover but made me smile!:big grin: Used Unimog Mercedes 406 120, price : 27150 GBP for sale | Agriaffaires

The Australian upgrade is from the 3350kg to 3500kg on this latest model, and I can't see why we won't get it? Eddie.

I've just had a bit of a Google and the Ranger has definitely had an upgrade to 3500kg, but in the Australian Market. I assume this should filter through to the UK shortly as it seems to have involved some strengthening of the Chassis to get the additional capacity. Worth a call at least to a dealer to check? Please no more Landrover v Jap plus all the sorry Landrover gags, some of us just have to live with all the faults and look at the positives because nothing else can replace them at present. Eddie.

I'm certain the new Ford Ranger has been increased to 3499kg capacity now? I looked at one of these to replace my Defender 90, but quite simply for where I have to get on site sometimes with a 12ft Ifor tipper in tow, they are just too long. I really rated them though, looked a real solid bit of kit with plenty of options including the basic Farmer spec with steel wheels which is the way I'd have gone. I can't see Landrover ever ditching the 3500kg towing on a possible Defender replacement unless towing regulations have changed by then. I've just ended up with a new clutch in the TDCi at 40,000 miles (luckily under warranty), which was pretty disappointing when my 300TDi 90 on exactly the same duties was sold at 173,000 miles on the original clutch! Ranger is worth a look and that 5 cylinder must be a monster towing vehicle. Eddie.

I never mentioned the TB219 as in reality there's hardly any available used yet, but if someone is looking at new then yes it's got to be more than worth a look. They have a little more weight, reach, engine power, different pumps, more auxiliary flow for attachments and extend out a little wider for more stability. I'd go as far to say anyone who's actually looking to purchase new is onto an absolute winner with one of these, as they are certain to be very keenly sought after by those in the know as the ultimate mini that punches well over it's weight. The only possible negative I did see but I've not tried one yet, is they have made the blade stick out a ridiculous way in front of the machine for more stability which could prove awkward when manoeuvring around site. Possibly of interest is that Kubota again trump this machine with the special order KX019, which is actually available into the UK if you ask. This in reality is the ultimate of the class with all the bells/whistles and some nice touches like proportional auxiliary lines controlled via the joysticks usually reserved for larger machines. This model again is pushing into the 2 tonne class and pretty much matches the TB219 spec. One for an owner driver who wants all the nice bits and the peace of mind with Kubota reliability plus 3 year warranty from new to back that up. Very nice! http://www.esontrading.se/Broschyr%20KX019-4.pdf Eddie.

Just dug this pic out of the one I usually hire with it's owner. The owner bought himself an Oxdale splitter and it will power it all day on tick over. Handy to be able to set it at a comfortable height and makes transport easy! Eddie.

I think that almost any brand of mini digger are perfectly acceptable, and will give good service. Dare I say the one to avoid is the JCB, but again I know plenty of people who have no issues with them whatsoever. I suppose it's almost the Stihl/Husky debate all over again?:big grin: A decent dealer for whatever brand locally is something to think about and can certainly sway some purchasing decisions. I have really centred on the Tb016 from Takeuchi from many hours in the seat of one, plus the simple fact you'll not drive past many utility type works without seeing them used on long term self drive hire and it doesn't get much rougher than that work. The used market for them has always been exceptionally strong and this is where if people have spare funds to try one then they almost certainly won't lose out if they decide it isn't for them. The Kubota is very much the same with a legendary reputation for reliability and compared side by side look to be light years in front of the Takeuchi in terms of styling/built/finish/detailing. However as I say in rough work this can work against you with the nice panels costing a lot of money to replace. The Takeuchi's can be very easily refurbished with new paint/stickers and the odd dent knocked out the steel panels. Whatever brand you choose, a 1.5 tonner is something that can produce a large amount of work for very reasonable running costs. Eddie.