Matthew Storrs
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Everything posted by Matthew Storrs
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Looking good- is the rotator pretty robust- could you grub out small stumps with it or is that a bit harsh?
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Yeah the Volvo BL71 looks like a nice machine with the wider front tyres and servo controls- but finding one seems to be a bit of a hens teeth scenario. That Ford is £8k which wouldn’t go far on a more modern machine- but might be a good exercise in seeing if backhoes work out for my needs and wouldn’t think I’d loose much on it. Got no 3rd service on the backactor so not sure what might be involved in fitting one for the hydraulic thumb- perhaps a diverter on the extending dipper?
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Yes well spotted. Looks like the same hitch you get on telehandlers etc?
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Theres a reasonably tidy Ford 675D come up for sale. It’s definitely older then I’d ideally like and would probably prefers servos rather than sticks, but given that I’m just dipping a toe into the backhoe route ATM I wonder if it’s worth going for as I doubt I’d loose more than a grand or two if I wanted to shift it on/didn’t work out for me. I’d just want a hydraulic thumb on it I think- if it’s all a success then perhaps look at 4cx further down the line. Have you ever had much to do with these old Fords Eddie? Or should I avoid on the basis that it might put me off backhoes altogether!
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I sold my very tidy TB016 back in 2013 and reckon it would be the same if not more now had I held on to it, the downside I learnt it got stolen a few years after- obviously quite desirable for theives too!
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It’s the only way! I work entirely on my own now- don’t even bother with subbies now- just me and my machines- if the job requires more hands I politely turn it down. My life is almost stress free as a result!
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Is it only £2k difference between micro and mini? You wonder why anyone goes for micro- let’s face it you only have a micro if space is desperate I manage to get my mini in most places but I suppose a doorway might pose a problem. This was a little tight especially with a glazed cab?
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Started another pond today. Back next week to dig out a bit more and smooth it out- then wait for the rain! pic 3 was the before photo- just a little trial hole to see if it held water.
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Sounds very similar to here. Usually something like Peat on top, then decomposed granite and boulders, then China clay underneath, I expect by pushing the clay into the banks helped stabilise them too, I found Peat alone couldn’t really hold much of a bank- very shallow slope is ok but then you get grass growing in the shallow water and it looks a bit grotty. I had to use the Boulders I dug out to place around the sides to keep the Peat from slumping into the pond.
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That looks great Marcus. I assume you had to bring in the clay to line it with? Im starting another pond tomorrow, went back to the one I did last year recently to shore up some of the edges with boulders as the slopes were tending to migrate into the pond a bit (it’s only soft Peat), also dug it out deeper right down to bedrock whilst I was at it.
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Well, I’m happy with it!!
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We had our stove installed by a local stove installer- wouldn’t say there was much wrong with the install (aside from having to let the odd bird out the stove door!) but very disappointed with the Stockton stove itself, it over fires massively, can’t shut the thing down- taken the angle grinder to certain bits to allow it to shut down a bit more but nothing I can do about the 3-4mm gap around the door, doesn’t even begin to seal properly. Personally if I was a supplier and installer I’d be embarrassed to supply and fit something so shoddy.
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Yeah- wonder where he’s heading.
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Think he’s just dangling a fish! But then I’m not a block layer!
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It’s just the front end and headlights that look ghastly IMO don’t mind the look of the rest of it. I can’t wait until electric either- not interested in any of the current new Diesel engine stuff really and would much sooner skip to electric.
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Nice setup- but slew ring looks tiny on that TB225, wouldn’t say it was any bigger then on my TB216...
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I read recently above a utilitarian vehicle coming out from one of the mainstream car manufacturers but can’t for the life of me remember who it was.
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Exactly- I can only think manufacturers have looked at it and deduced there simply isn’t enough of a market for it over what the pimpmobiles offer. TBH the 79series landcruiser (pick up form) would tick absolutely every box for me. Proper 4.2L engine- engineered to easily tow 3.5t (I’m not convinced with any of the other uk pickups on the market at the moment despite their claims). But I doubt I could afford one- think they’re north of £40k!
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Farmers use quad bikes and Mules/Gators when they want to check stock, and tractors are faster and more comfortable then ever- so they use these to pull heavy stuff. For them a utilitarian defender is more or less redundant- the cheaper Japanese vehicles are perfectly adequate for everything else.
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I think the TD5 is a bit disappointing myself- needs a remap and upgraded intercooler to get the best from it. I’d take a standard 300 over a standard TD5 myself. Don’t like the fly by wire throttle either. .
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I hope they don’t hold their prices like old defenders- if you could pick them up cheapish in 10 years time in might be a usefull option
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Yeah, you do make a good point. I used my 10x6 flatbed ifor for years to move my 3 tonner around- it actually has a higher payload than the plant trailer, and then stick sides back on and go and get a load o materials etc- although the plant trailer is very convenient for quickly unloading a machine particularly if doing on a road whilst holding up traffic etc!
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I also had the GH1054 (until it got nicked ?). It was a nice trailer and has a slight beaver tail on it which is nice for loading. The only issue I had was I had the drop down skid ramps on mine and they did crack a bit loading up my 2.8 tonner- a bit lightly built IMO.
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Haha, no, I’m not eating my words but my reply was in relation to someone who said raise the machine to get the height. I guess you could take the same approach as you and i have, only on a loader instead. Although not convinced you get the same finesse getting it as straight as conveniently as with a digger mounted machine- which I may add nothing touches IMO for versatility and usability when in the right hands.
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Yes, but I think you’d want the leg on the ground to support it, otherwise think it would be bouncy and would place quite a lot of strain on the loader. A longer leg perhaps...
