Mini loaders

[Cal919]

Am considering looking at a mini loader of some description Avant/Multione/Norcar. Will probably have to be a second hand unless can get a good finance deal. Probably looking at 6/7series Multione size. Would mainly be used as loader or with forks and possibly to run a mower. Does anyone have any advice on stuff to be wary of second hand/extras that are essential. Has anyone had any experience with the Norcar ones? Im based in Farnham and theres a dealer in Guildford so would be very convenient just never heard or seen much about them.

 

[V8Druid]

Am considering looking at a mini loader of some description Avant/Multione/Norcar. Will probably have to be a second hand unless can get a good finance deal. Probably looking at 6/7series Multione size. Would mainly be used as loader or with forks and possibly to run a mower. Does anyone have any advice on stuff to be wary of second hand/extras that are essential. Has anyone had any experience with the Norcar ones? Im based in Farnham and theres a dealer in Guildford so would be very convenient just never heard or seen much about them.

@doobin

 

[doobin]

If you're in Farnham, the best thing to do would be come for a coffee at my yard near Midhurst and try my Multione. It's an 8.4sk. Might part with it for the right offer and get myself a new one. Think it's 2019 and just under 1000 hours.

You don't want anything smaller- lots of people buy a 6 series and then wish they had spend a few quid more. In this game you need something that will boss a ton bag. 6 series will lift one on paper but in the real world with the forks up high through the loops it's a different story. 7 series has very similar capacity to an 8 series, just not as good a drive system- single speed gear motors rather than the 8 series twin speed piston motors. Both use the 26hp Kubota V1505 which has no emmisions bollocks. The emmisions gear on the Kohler engines both Avant and Multione use gives no end of trouble- there was a guy on FB who sold three Multione 8.5K models with barely 100 hours on each as they had so many problems.

Attachment wise I'm not a fan of using them as a mower, but if you do then you will want the boom float kit fitted. A 4-in-1 bucket is essential for groundworks- it's like having one hand tied behind your back chasing piles of dirt about with a standard bucket. Painful to watch. Extra counterweights are also pretty much a requirement- I have the rear one and two each side, but just the rear one will make a 7 or 8 series Multione comfortable with a bulk bag on the forks and the boom extended.

I hear of just as many problems with Avant as Multione. Norcar are supposed to be the Rolls Royce but they bloody want to be for the money they cost!

 

[6feetdown]

Can't fault my avant few little niggles but great machines as I said previously the only reason I didn't go multione was lack of dealers only 1 in UK at the time

 

[Smiffy]

If you're in Farnham, the best thing to do would be come for a coffee at my yard near Midhurst and try my Multione. It's an 8.4sk. Might part with it for the right offer and get myself a new one. Think it's 2019 and just under 1000 hours.

You don't want anything smaller- lots of people buy a 6 series and then wish they had spend a few quid more. In this game you need something that will boss a ton bag. 6 series will lift one on paper but in the real world with the forks up high through the loops it's a different story. 7 series has very similar capacity to an 8 series, just not as good a drive system- single speed gear motors rather than the 8 series twin speed piston motors. Both use the 26hp Kubota V1505 which has no emmisions bollocks. The emmisions gear on the Kohler engines both Avant and Multione use gives no end of trouble- there was a guy on FB who sold three Multione 8.5K models with barely 100 hours on each as they had so many problems.

Attachment wise I'm not a fan of using them as a mower, but if you do then you will want the boom float kit fitted. A 4-in-1 bucket is essential for groundworks- it's like having one hand tied behind your back chasing piles of dirt about with a standard bucket. Painful to watch. Extra counterweights are also pretty much a requirement- I have the rear one and two each side, but just the rear one will make a 7 or 8 series Multione comfortable with a bulk bag on the forks and the boom extended.

I hear of just as many problems with Avant as Multione. Norcar are supposed to be the Rolls Royce but they bloody want to be for the money they cost!

You need an I spec one with the hiflow for mowers. And you don't need the boom float if you buy a genuine Avant mower as the have a serious amount of float in the headstock on them.
But even after all this just about any purpose built mower or compact tractor will be superior. The steering geometry is all wrong.
I also don't rate them as a dedicated forklift. They will lift and shift alot though.
They are really good as multi tool that can be towed by a pickup. However they don't really excell at any given job over a purpose built machine.
And I personally think they are horrible to use as a pallet handling machine.

 

[doobin]

You need an I spec one with the hiflow for mowers. And you don't need the boom float if you buy a genuine Avant mower as the have a serious amount of float in the headstock on them.
But even after all this just about any purpose built mower or compact tractor will be superior. The steering geometry is all wrong.
I also don't rate them as a dedicated forklift. They will lift and shift alot though.
They are really good as multi tool that can be towed by a pickup. However they don't really excell at any given job over a purpose built machine.
And I personally think they are horrible to use as a pallet handling machine.

Yes they are awful for handling pallets in tight spaces. But for quick, repetetice cycles of lifting and shifting over rough ground they are unbeatable.

 

[Lancs Lad]

Talking of pallets...
Fallen in love with this I've had on hire for last few weeks.. Towable legally and throws 1.5t effortlessly can't beat the real machine for the job. Only 2 wheel drive this one but goes where normal forklifts would shudder to tread.
Really rate it

 

[Smiffy]

Yes they are awful for handling pallets in tight spaces. But for quick, repetetice cycles of lifting and shifting over rough ground they are unbeatable.

Yeah but for things that require a bucket or grab or spike to handle. Generally things that require a little less finesse. And the lack of pivoting axle means anything stacked on a pallet over rough ground needs to be really well secured.
I think the lack of pivoting axle is the biggest let down on them, and am amazed they have never fitted one

 

[doobin]

Yeah but for things that require a bucket or grab or spike to handle. Generally things that require a little less finesse. And the lack of pivoting axle means anything stacked on a pallet over rough ground needs to be really well secured.
I think the lack of pivoting axle is the biggest let down on them, and am amazed they have never fitted one

The lack of pivoting axle is exactly why they can handle such a load!! The arse is always a full counterbalance.

Giant and jcb make handlers with oscillating centre joints, and correspondingly lower capacities.

 

[Smiffy]

The lack of pivoting axle is exactly why they can handle such a load!! The arse is always a full counterbalance.

Giant and jcb make handlers with oscillating centre joints, and correspondingly lower capacities.

Oscillating centre joints are slightly different as they can be lethal if you start to lift. But the small JCB and giant have completely different boom geometry which will play just as bigger role in the lift capacity. In theory a rocking back axle shouldn't make a a difference to the lift chart as no machine is designed to be operated that close to the limits.
The new big Avant has an sli like a full size telehandler so I wouldn't be surprised if the days of Pushing their limits are numbered.

 

[doobin]

Oscillating centre joints are slightly different as they can be lethal if you start to lift. But the small JCB and giant have completely different boom geometry which will play just as bigger role in the lift capacity. In theory a rocking back axle shouldn't make a a difference to the lift chart as no machine is designed to be operated that close to the limits.
The new big Avant has an sli like a full size telehandler so I wouldn't be surprised if the days of Pushing their limits are numbered.

Yeah I saw the same on a new M1. f**k that!

You can push the limit as much as you like on a M1 or Avant, all that happens is that the arse end comes up. A good op will instinctively steer the arse end to put the counterbalance where it's needed if on the limit on a slope. They only roll if you take them on too much of a sideslope, and that's the same for any machine.

 

[Smiffy]

Yeah I saw the same on a new M1. f**k that!

You can push the limit as much as you like on a M1 or Avant, all that happens is that the arse end comes up. A good op will instinctively steer the arse end to put the counterbalance where it's needed if on the limit on a slope. They only roll if you take them on too much of a sideslope, and that's the same for any machine.

I know you can push them to the limit,but they we all know your not meant to. The intended capacity on paper is definitely lower than what people do with them.

 

[doobin]

I know you can push them to the limit,but they we all know your not meant to. The intended capacity on paper is definitely lower than what people do with them.

Bollocks, it's there to be used!
No worse than lifting a track on a digger as you swing a full bucket at reach.

 

[Smiffy]

Bollocks, it's there to be used!
No worse than lifting a track on a digger as you swing a full bucket at reach.

Have you looked at the lift chart on a digger!! Try turning on the lift setting on your new machine and see how much it lifts without getting upset.

 

[doobin]

Have you looked at the lift chart on a digger!! Try turning on the lift setting on your new machine and see how much it lifts without getting upset.

yeah the JCB is silly. It sometimes triggers with the tab boom all the way out and an empty grader.

Didn't get a lift kit fitted to my E27, no use for it.

 

[6feetdown]

Have you looked at the lift chart on a digger!! Try turning on the lift setting on your new machine and see how much it lifts without getting upset.

Used a 5t jcb 3 wk ago full bucket out and alarm was going off mind I rekon buckets were too big for the machine

 

[Cal919]

If you're in Farnham, the best thing to do would be come for a coffee at my yard near Midhurst and try my Multione. It's an 8.4sk. Might part with it for the right offer and get myself a new one. Think it's 2019 and just under 1000 hours.

You don't want anything smaller- lots of people buy a 6 series and then wish they had spend a few quid more. In this game you need something that will boss a ton bag. 6 series will lift one on paper but in the real world with the forks up high through the loops it's a different story. 7 series has very similar capacity to an 8 series, just not as good a drive system- single speed gear motors rather than the 8 series twin speed piston motors. Both use the 26hp Kubota V1505 which has no emmisions bollocks. The emmisions gear on the Kohler engines both Avant and Multione use gives no end of trouble- there was a guy on FB who sold three Multione 8.5K models with barely 100 hours on each as they had so many problems.

Attachment wise I'm not a fan of using them as a mower, but if you do then you will want the boom float kit fitted. A 4-in-1 bucket is essential for groundworks- it's like having one hand tied behind your back chasing piles of dirt about with a standard bucket. Painful to watch. Extra counterweights are also pretty much a requirement- I have the rear one and two each side, but just the rear one will make a 7 or 8 series Multione comfortable with a bulk bag on the forks and the boom extended.

I hear of just as many problems with Avant as Multione. Norcar are supposed to be the Rolls Royce but they bloody want to be for the money they cost!

That would be very handy if i could come check yours out, let me know when would be best to head down.

 

[CPS]

The problem with mini loaders is.... You just don't want to sell them the original on the left was bought 7 years ago to be sold on.... it still here.
They are a jack of all trades, and a master of being just that, they can do a bit of everything.
The newer one is a 5.3 Multione. Grand little machine, will move a bulk bag but not great with it. Id like a bit more lift capacity, something around a ton comfortably.
You really want 2 speed also, if your travelling any sort of distance at all.

Next one i buy Id have an 8.4 size or Avant 760 size. A cab would be nice, or even a half cab.

Attachments are addictive too.... at a rough count between the 2 machine i have 15 or so

 

[Grahams]

I have a Norcar and wouldn't be without it. Speeds up our jobs massively. Yes it is a bit of a multitool, does lots of jobs adequately, but not as good as a dedicated machine, but it is just the one machine with lots of attachments.
My recomendations would be make sure you buy big enough. The rated specs are usually at the headstock, not out on the attachments.
Get the right tyres. I have a set of standard tyres, but usually run on low ground pressure turf tyres. They make less marks than walking and always impress the customer how their grass looks after we have finished.
You can buy or make adapter plates so you can use existing attachments you may have for forklifts etc.
I slightly dissagree with Doobin over the buckets. I do have a 4 in 1, but the volume is so small I tend to use the largest fixed bucket they do and take it easy on corners and slopes. I reguarly shift 20 to 40 tonne of sand and it does the job effortlessly. Also has the bonus of more reach when placing the sand.

 

[V8Druid]

I have a Norcar and wouldn't be without it. Speeds up our jobs massively. Yes it is a bit of a multitool, does lots of jobs adequately, but not as good as a dedicated machine, but it is just the one machine with lots of attachments.
My recomendations would be make sure you buy big enough. The rated specs are usually at the headstock, not out on the attachments.
Get the right tyres. I have a set of standard tyres, but usually run on low ground pressure turf tyres. They make less marks than walking and always impress the customer how their grass looks after we have finished.
You can buy or make adapter plates so you can use existing attachments you may have for forklifts etc.
I slightly dissagree with Doobin over the buckets. I do have a 4 in 1, but the volume is so small I tend to use the largest fixed bucket they do and take it easy on corners and slopes. I reguarly shift 20 to 40 tonne of sand and it does the job effortlessly. Also has the bonus of more reach when placing the sand.

do you still have your kit Gra, or did it go with the biz sale?
what's your new avatar from ?