Backhoe’s again!

[GazCro]

They won't...... Fuel costs don't make sense against a handler and a 360'

And the fact there's few ops that can use them and fewer still that want to.

 

[Simon edwards]

The plus with advanced easy controls,the 109(I think)hp engine,20” fronts,power slide and hyd hitch.
Thats the main of it,very nice in the cab etc.The new deadman lever for the seat is a bit odd but I reckon I will soon get used to it,the whole servo thing will be a bit of a rethink on operating habits,but I’m quite excited to get into it to be honest.
I must admit for all the bad press JCB get the machine looks well designed ,and compared to the NH I tried just seemed poles apart.
I feel there is a growing market for the 180,certainly from my experience over the last year or so,I sometimes need to convince potential customers of their merits,but once the versatility has been proven they become happy repeat customers,it’s building up nicely to be honest.
Certainly for shorter hires the fact that there is no haulage required is becoming a massive selling point.
Hope it continues.

 

[DaveDCB]

They won't...... Fuel costs don't make sense against a handler and a 360'

As discussed million times over, they have a place. But I’m a diehard backhoe operator and huge fan, but I don’t even run one anymore! favouring the mid size telehandler and 6 ton machine with dumpers to suit the specific application in hand.

 

[Bri963]

And the fact there's few ops that can use them and fewer still that want to.

I was testing a new 432 with electro-hydraulics and powered side shift, and those two features alone transform operating one compared to when I operated them in anger. If I was specc’ing one I’d have a quick hitch both ends, proper forks instead of flip-overs, and all of the downsides would be dealt with - apart from it’d still get used as a wheelbarrow on site.

 

[Simon edwards]

Yeah but a damn site better than using a real wheelbarrow innit!

 

[diggerjones]

When i was full time 3cx operater for plant hire firm early 90s they had 12 3cxs. Mostly on gas board contracts or council. No shortage of drivers. I just wonder where you would find a 3cx driver under 40.

 

[Smiffy]

We have it in our heads in this country that everything has to be done with a machine small enough to be dragged around by a transit or pickup. The 3cx is a bit big now due to all the streetworks rules, but I am surprised there seems to be no 2cx's or 6t ducks on utility and highway work. Parking a trailer and keeping it secure is an absolute nightmare.
A grab lorry then has to follow which blocks up the road further. Whereas a duck could load a lorry parked behind and a 2cx could run gear round the corner. Also a bit more power and speed on the job.
On highways work there is no risk of getting stuck. I'm not saying completely replace minis I'm just surprised there is nothing. Especially when you see videos of the Europeans working and it seems so much easier. Mostly just down to the reach.

 

[DaveDCB]

When i was full time 3cx operater for plant hire firm early 90s they had 12 3cxs. Mostly on gas board contracts or council. No shortage of drivers. I just wonder where you would find a 3cx driver under 40.

 

[JD450A]

When i was full time 3cx operater for plant hire firm early 90s they had 12 3cxs. Mostly on gas board contracts or council. No shortage of drivers. I just wonder where you would find a 3cx driver under 40.

My yard

 

[GazCro]

We have it in our heads in this country that everything has to be done with a machine small enough to be dragged around by a transit or pickup. The 3cx is a bit big now due to all the streetworks rules, but I am surprised there seems to be no 2cx's or 6t ducks on utility and highway work. Parking a trailer and keeping it secure is an absolute nightmare.
A grab lorry then has to follow which blocks up the road further. Whereas a duck could load a lorry parked behind and a 2cx could run gear round the corner. Also a bit more power and speed on the job.
On highways work there is no risk of getting stuck. I'm not saying completely replace minis I'm just surprised there is nothing. Especially when you see videos of the Europeans working and it seems so much easier. Mostly just down to the reach.

Price a 9/10 ton duck and you'll see why they aren't as common as you'd expect. I assume even the 6 ton ducks are as dear comparative to tracked equivalent

 

[hiluxman]

When i was full time 3cx operater for plant hire firm early 90s they had 12 3cxs. Mostly on gas board contracts or council. No shortage of drivers. I just wonder where you would find a 3cx driver under 40.

One here

 

[Simon edwards]

Not sure if I’m honest.I have a really good guy works for me all the time and is a cracking ground worker and coming on gradually as an op on the mini’s. I simply do’nt get the opportunities to teach him on the 180 as the machine has to be productive and effecient whenever on hire,I think the problem being you can hide inexperience on a mini on some jobs due to the nature of the work but the 180 on small jobs is generally the prime mover and ‘watched’ a little more closely.
I also firmly believe that it takes years to become a truly competent operator on one.
But at the same time I guess it keeps us older guys busy,suits me cos I still prefer a shift on one over any of me mini diggers .

 

[bobthebuilder]

When i was full time 3cx operater for plant hire firm early 90s they had 12 3cxs. Mostly on gas board contracts or council. No shortage of drivers. I just wonder where you would find a 3cx driver under 40.

under 40 ,mmm

 

[Smiffy]

Price a 9/10 ton duck and you'll see why they aren't as common as you'd expect. I assume even the 6 ton ducks are as dear comparative to tracked equivalent

But they do more work, providing the work is organized in the correct manner. Of course they are an expensive option if you try and utilise them In the same way as a 1.5t machine. We just seem determined to do everything the hardest way possible.

 

[JD450A]

You won't do more work with a duck..... think less tbh..... Mobility is greater but if your after efficiency's a expensive digging machine being used as a forklift is a non starter.
Smaller ducks also have shorter reach compared to the comparative track machine.... namely as the U/C is twice as high.

 

[Bri963]

When i was full time 3cx operater for plant hire firm early 90s they had 12 3cxs. Mostly on gas board contracts or council. No shortage of drivers. I just wonder where you would find a 3cx driver under 40.

I used to be.

 

[Simon edwards]

I’m still just under 50,does that make me a young backhoe operator?

 

[GazCro]

But they do more work, providing the work is organized in the correct manner. Of course they are an expensive option if you try and utilise them In the same way as a 1.5t machine. We just seem determined to do everything the hardest way possible.

The thing is the once common bread and butter 3cx work like utilites and local council work was largely dominated at one time by owner ops (certainly round here) who got a decent rate and turned out decent standard and quantity of work. Then comes the change to putting more folk in offices than on the ground and the bean counters turn up. The local councils and utilities would also rather deal with one hire company than load of individuals so the big boys came in with crap ops but cheap rates and took over and the owner ops got out. The drive to mini diggers was probably done by the hire companies as they can put cheaper machines out for not much less rate so make more and the office bums don't know the difference.
A good mate of me old lads would be the last owner op doing council work round here with a 3cx and that was only because a couple of older lads on the council knew his worth compared to the cheaper rate drivers, as soon as those few older fellas retired he was gone as well.

 

[Bri963]

I’m still just under 50,does that make me a young backhoe operator?

Young backhoe operator, but not young.

 

[Smiffy]

You won't do more work with a duck..... think less tbh..... Mobility is greater but if your after efficiency's a expensive digging machine being used as a forklift is a non starter.
Smaller ducks also have shorter reach compared to the comparative track machine.... namely as the U/C is twice as high.

I mean compared to a towable machine plus the ability to run kit like patch planers, load lorries so do away with the grab.
The ability to put the material further away and not be double handling. Moving packs of kerbs and running kerb lifters. Doing away with a little 2t telehandlers on civils sites.