Is the backhoe loader a thing of the past?

[DaveDCB]

Only had afew complaints over the years, once was a bank holiday job - got 1000ton of type one coming at you today grade this entire ikea carpark to level… no profiles, no laser nothing just by eye!! Just did the best I could, they queried the invoice and wanted half of it knocked off! Fecking clowns, it was a weeks work to do that much to levels and falls! There was another 3cx op who was ninja on the front bucket and I learned so much that day so was worth knocking £80 off to learn from him!

Another one I had two of us out on cross hire to same company different sites , they rung up saying the builder has a problem with your operator not doing any good etc, so I rung up my dad who was on the other machine while *majorly pi$$ed asked to speak to the foreman, turns out it wasn’t them but the guys I was on for!! I was soon out the cab asking wtf crack they were on, blithering idiots, didn’t dare say anything to my face - just wanted a free hire!

And yes Its a lot easier to just plonk a tracked machine somewhere and twiddle around!

 

[Storrsy]

It took me a couple really difficult projects, and a lot of practice to feel comfortable doing nice work with my 420. At first I wanted to love it, but just couldn't do nice work with it to save my Life! I was usually so frustrated I would go get my 302 to do it. Slowly, as I got more hours, it Got better. View attachment 60140View attachment 60141View attachment 60142View attachment 60139View attachment 60138View attachment 60137
Keep at it, find projects, and go out of your way to do it with a backhoe, don't give yourself a way out. you have to learn to work differently, but it only gets better.

That's a lovely looking machine. I'm no backhoe expert but always reckoned if I had one would definitely want a thumb on it- but don't think I've ever seen one in the UK with one- why is that I wonder? Also think I prefer the look of the central kingpost and outriggers. Seems less weight etc?

 

[Smiffy]

Within reason anyone can drive a mini to an acceptable level dont you think ?

Probably more forgiving but I've definitely met a few who could spend there whole life on a machine and still be no good. Its not so much the smoothness but sequencing and organising the work is where it falls down.

 

[Monkeybusiness]

Probably more forgiving but I've definitely met a few who could spend there whole life on a machine and still be no good. Its not so much the smoothness but sequencing and organising the work is where it falls down.

I didn’t know that we had met!

 

[Stroppymonkey]

Has your brother (in law?)still got his Case?

Yea he does , he took it off sale last Autumn. It’s not been out of the shed all winter as he’s been on dryish work in Saltash someone else’s gear. Think it’s coming back up for sale again. Pretty sure he wants a 6t 360 but with offset? I can’t remember. Sold your 360 yet?

 

[Furniss]

Probably more forgiving but I've definitely met a few who could spend there whole life on a machine and still be no good. Its not so much the smoothness but sequencing and organising the work is where it falls down.

Much easier to plan your way around a job with little mini...not as mentally challenging as trying to work out how your going to do it with a 3c.

 

[Bri963]

Probably more forgiving but I've definitely met a few who could spend there whole life on a machine and still be no good. Its not so much the smoothness but sequencing and organising the work is where it falls down.

Anybody with reasonable hand/eye coordination and the interest can operate, it takes years to learn your way round the different jobs and ways of working. I’d probably struggle a bit if I went back to regular site work now. Certainly for a year or two, anyway.

 

[Simon edwards]

I reckon the first couple of years I was fairly terrified most days when on hire, but under pressure is the best way to learn ,sharpens you up pretty fast!
I think most people with a degree of practical ability can use a mini to achieve their end goal to a degree,but again to be a competent efficient operator in all situations still takes years on the seat.In my opinion.

 

[DaveDCB]

I reckon the first couple of years I was fairly terrified most days when on hire, but under pressure is the best way to learn ,sharpens you up pretty fast!
I think most people with a degree of practical ability can use a mini to achieve their end goal to a degree,but again to be a competent efficient operator in all situations still takes years on the seat.In my opinion.

Agreed… as a 17 to 20ish year old I barely slept the night before some jobs! Then the migraines started and I barely slept but in agony! Soon as I stated to think less everything settled down… nowadays I sleep like a log!

 

[Nick...]

I think anyone can get on a mini digger but it takes a year or two to master it.with minimal track length and machine width,smoothness is the key.takes years to learn how to do various jobs too.I don't know about others but I find larger 5/8/13/20 ton machines a piece of piss to operate after mini machines.you got extra weight and track length and stability and it's so so easy to use them.
nick...

 

[doobin]

That's a lovely looking machine. I'm no backhoe expert but always reckoned if I had one would definitely want a thumb on it- but don't think I've ever seen one in the UK with one- why is that I wonder? Also think I prefer the look of the central kingpost and outriggers. Seems less weight etc?

Thumb only works with external sliding dipper.

 

[Furniss]

Agreed… as a 17 to 20ish year old I barely slept the night before some jobs! Then the migraines started and I barely slept but in agony! Soon as I stated to think less everything settled down… nowadays I sleep like a log!

Exactly same here ...night before a job or going out to put poles up on a shutdown I barely slept either ...spent a few years like that.
When I first very walked into the yard I remember some bloke sayin I'll give that "pasty faced fooker 3 months" if only hed been right I might be doing something easy now !

 

[Smiffy]

Much easier to plan your way around a job with little mini...not as mentally challenging as trying to work out how your going to do it with a 3c.

Yet some still fail miserably.
I worked with one bloke who would repeatedly tip the spoil from one excavation onto where the next excavation would be.
He also installed 2 gullypots upside down.

 

[Storrsy]

Thumb only works with external sliding dipper.

Yeah wondered about that. Could it not be fitted to the stationery dipper- obviously it would only be operational when the dipper is retracted...

 

[hiluxman]

Thumb only works with external sliding dipper.

I've seen them on the inner slider before.

Google picture for reference

 

[Stroppymonkey]

Yeah wondered about that. Could it not be fitted to the stationery dipper- obviously it would only be operational when the dipper is retracted...

Buy this one then

 

[Storrsy]

Buy this one then

Don't tempt me! How much does he want?

 

[Stroppymonkey]

Don't tempt me! How much does he want?

Think he tried it at 27K last year but obviously didn’t sell. Couple others around for similar money. New buckets and extra wide front axle and bucket IIRC. Big beast.

 

[Storrsy]

To be fair. I know I wouldn't use a backhoe loads. But those jobs where I want the 8 tonner but really doesn't warrant the hassle of transport etc...

 

[Storrsy]

Think he tried it at 27K last year but obviously didn’t sell. Couple others around for similar money. New buckets and extra wide front axle and bucket IIRC. Big beast.

Do you know how many hours it's done and what year?