Vinpetrol
Well-known member
That sounds normal to me , my Komatsu does that all the time . I think it’s brake solenoid actuators . Mine does it all the time when it’s idle . It’s not an issue
Vinpetrol
Well-known member
Couldn’t agree more
S
Steve
Well-known member
Obviously they have there limitations but I was really impressed with where he was able to get his 175 In the wet .
S
Smiffy
Well-known member
I've often wondered from an outside perspective. Do we have muddier mud, worse working practices or unrealistic expectations. As the use of ducks across Europe always seemed to far exceed us every time I have traveled there.
Even on building sites that you would never dream they could be used.
Bri963
Well-known member
When I worked on general hire and muckshift, back in the 90’s, there were a few ducks about, and one company I worked for had two Cats, a 206 and a 212. My mount, the 206, had a blade, the 212 had blade and legs. Frankly the legs were a pain in the arse as they used to snag up on uneven ground, whereas I could get just about anywhere I wanted. Whenever I had to fill in on the 212 I hated the bloody thing.
I’ve been on two EW65’s, again one with and one without legs. As they sit so much lower the difference in mobility is even worse. Personally my default preference is blade only unless you have some unique job where you need the biggest possible footprint, in which case you need four legs anyway.
Storrsy
Well-known member
I think alot depends on ground n what the subsoil is like. Ducks might sink quicker than a tracked machine but larger tyres (especially floaties) would ride over the top better than a tracked machine- the chap who I bought the duck off said when he got it 8 years people told him he was mad but he reckons he hasn't seen what all the fussing was about. Clearly not a machine for bogs but agri fields and the like it seemed to perform well. I'll update my experience in a month or two if this rain keeps up
Vinpetrol
Well-known member
Who was the company Bri?
Vinpetrol
Well-known member
The 206 was a well balanced machine . I think it was actually built by Eder for Cat if I’m right. The 212 was a fair bit bigger wasn’t it ?
I’ve had a lot of ducks and agree with you blade only is best all round option and easier on its feet. My Komatsu has legs as well and the only time they are handy is if you have a big lift and then she’s rock solid but on the whole I’d prefer just a blade over the fixed axle end as it’s more usable with the fixed axle .defo gets bogged more often with additional weight and lack of clearance .
Bri963
Well-known member
R&R Plant. They wound up years ago.
Bri963
Well-known member
Correct, Eder, who also manufactured the 205 and 211’s which were the same machines but on tracks. R&R had one each of those as well. The current Cat ducks are still made in the old Eder factory and share sod all with the tracked machines. The old 212 and 206‘s that I operated in the ‘90’s shared frame, boom, stick, wheelbase, tyres, etc. The 212 had a 5 cyl air cooled Deutz and slightly higher hydraulic flow, and was quicker on its feet, the 206 had a 4 Cyl Deutz
All round, I‘d always pick doubles over super singles, if you get a blow out you still have a spare on each corner. In my experience, flotation is a non issue, as soon as mud jams up between the tyres you‘ve as good as got singles under you anyway.
Storrsy
Well-known member
I was thinking that ref my supposed flotations- are they really much more surface area than a standard dual setup- not a lot in it I wouldnt have thought.
Perhaps more aggressive agri type tread pattern though
Bri963
Well-known member
If you need to work off the tyres, doubles are far more rigid. As for aggressive tread, why do you need it when you’ve got that bloody great paddle sticking out the front?I was thinking that ref my supposed flotations- are they really much more surface area than a standard dual setup- not a lot in it I wouldnt have thought.
Perhaps more aggressive agri type tread pattern though
S
Steve
Well-known member
Flotations are probably a lot softer compound running less pressure.I was thinking that ref my supposed flotations- are they really much more surface area than a standard dual setup- not a lot in it I wouldnt have thought.
Perhaps more aggressive agri type tread pattern though
Giles
Well-known member
What I saw when I lived in Munich they’d work their way in off hard standing and strip soil layer then stone up as they went, no muddy bogs like some of our sites, but then again they did most their Groundworks in spring and summer as it was -25 in winter and 2 foot of snow.
Plus Munich seemed to be on a big gravel layer saw a few single house builds and was lovely coarse mot type stuff digging out basements etc use it as hard standing straight away as dug no sticky clay like we have here.
Limestone area of the peaks is same 1-2 inches of mud but then hard well draining ground can run tractor on in winter
Plus Munich seemed to be on a big gravel layer saw a few single house builds and was lovely coarse mot type stuff digging out basements etc use it as hard standing straight away as dug no sticky clay like we have here.
Limestone area of the peaks is same 1-2 inches of mud but then hard well draining ground can run tractor on in winter
Lancs Lad
Well-known member
That reminds me I'm there on Monday at the BAU expo. Anyone else going?
Storrsy
Well-known member
So was on the duck this eve. It stopped at a hill so put a G clamp onto the solenoid to engage low and it went up ok. So guessing probably isn't anything to do with brakes and must not be auto stepping down to low as it should be.
@V8Druid I think your probably right with the commutator suggestion. I'm guessing thats probably a job for someone who knows what they're doing.
@V8Druid I think your probably right with the commutator suggestion. I'm guessing thats probably a job for someone who knows what they're doing.
Storrsy
Well-known member
Got back into the tracked 8 tonner. Suddenly realised how pleasant the duck is getting around the place compared to anything on tracks
Vinpetrol
Well-known member
Your hooked
V8Druid
do it as well as you can,but learn to do it better
go to your local leccy wholesalers and ask them for a can of switch/contact cleaner -Isopropol I think it's called or summat like that - you want 'the good stuff' ..... pop the cover off your slip ring assembly and give it a good dose -- slew her round a few times and give it a bit more -- rinse and repeat
... see how that goes edit
just remembered the trade name of some stuff i used to use a long time ago -- Inhibisol -- was the bollaux ... dare say it was 'nasty stuff' and probably not available any more -- worked bloody well though
Last edited:
V8Druid
do it as well as you can,but learn to do it better
Footer block 1