Tilting buckets.

[AHPP]

Anything of a vintage you want to be looking at for grabs etc will have expanding tracks.

I did suspect that. I reckon I could get away with one aux circuit for a long time and if the right machine came along, I'd make my peace with never (easily) having grab and rotate. But since the expanding tracks aren't a deal breaker, I am open to more modern machines too.

 

[AHPP]

Yeah sounds similar to me and mainly rural work/properties. I really only put the tracks in maybe 3 times a year. The only additional benefit is that they are quite low to the ground for hopping in and out of if you work on your own a lot. if it's your only machine you'd be better getting what suits the majority and just hiring in a narrowed access machine when/if required. The ET24 has really thick chunky tracks, and the undercarriage is more like a 2.8 tonners in terms of build. What I found when borrowing my dad's was that at 1400mm it's surprising where they still fit because you don't have the bulky upper body like a proper 2.8t so if squeezing through a small gate or path you can be tilted over a bit and the body still won't foul the obstacle.

OK. Cheers. Have been thinking canopy for the jumping on and off and weight (up high) saving.
I'm with you on access. The Skidster is wider than the modern equivalent Sherpa. I thought I'd be not fitting anywhere because I had the second narrowest thing rather than the narrowest. Never actually been a problem. And if it really does come down to inches, hire or just leave it to someone else. I want an easy life, not aggro because I've torn someone's doorframe off.

 

[CPS]

Did this wee one for our 12ZT, kept the tilt as low as possible, would probably go 100mm less on this size machine, its 900mm i think.

 

[Simon edwards]

I love it tbh.
Plenty of power- the breakout isn't far behind my 3 tonner, smooth hydraulics with a good responsive slew, big track motors with long track base and well built undercarriage- can see where the extra 300kg has gone over the usual 1.9t diggers.
Lots of cab floor space and proper tracking pedals
2nd door is kinda pointless, but standard on these, the heater design is also a bit naff too as can't really aim it at windscreen but so far those are the only cons really.
They are very well made machines IMO, it's quieter than my dad's cat/ET24, I'm guessing as it's fresher the fit and finish of it all is still nice and tight . Window is a bit clattery when it's lifted over your head when tracking down a stone track but all in all they are minor things really and am chuffed with it.

Thanks for that, sounds promising, the only other machine I’m tempted to look at is one of the new cats, but am pretty set on a Wacker Neuson, we have a dealer fairly close too.
Was there much of a price difference between the 18 and 20?

 

[Storrsy]

Thanks for that, sounds promising, the only other machine I’m tempted to look at is one of the new cats, but am pretty set on a Wacker Neuson, we have a dealer fairly close too.
Was there much of a price difference between the 18 and 20?

I think it was about £1500 difference between an 18 and a 20. I think it's well worth it because the 20 will go as narrow as the 18 but quite a bit longer tracks and 250mm instead of 230mm. Longer arm, bigger track motors. The 20 has no problem running 3 ton buckets sizes, I'm not sure how the 18 would compare it has less breakout etc.

I did look at the Cat 302 and had a go on one. Personal preference of course but the Wacker felt smoother and steadier somehow- whereas the cat was snappy and quick, the cat has a lot of technology on it which would have been no benefit to me at all so prefer the old school layout and simplicity of the Wacker.. also little things like the expanding track ram on the cat seems low to the ground and quite exposed. The Wackers is tucked up out the way and has a heavy duty guard below it.
Not sure what a Cat 302 costs tbh I think they are competitively priced quite good value for money given all the technology and made in china probably helps keep costs down

 

[doobin]

I think it was about £1500 difference between an 18 and a 20. I think it's well worth it because the 20 will go as narrow as the 18 but quite a bit longer tracks and 250mm instead of 230mm. Longer arm, bigger track motors. The 20 has no problem running 3 ton buckets sizes, I'm not sure how the 18 would compare it has less breakout etc.

I did look at the Cat 302 and had a go on one. Personal preference of course but the Wacker felt smoother and steadier somehow- whereas the cat was snappy and quick, the cat has a lot of technology on it which would have been no benefit to me at all so prefer the old school layout and simplicity of the Wacker.. also little things like the expanding track ram on the cat seems low to the ground and quite exposed. The Wackers is tucked up out the way and has a heavy duty guard below it.
Not sure what a Cat 302 costs tbh I think they are competitively priced quite good value for money given all the technology and made in china probably helps keep costs down

Approx 24k for a cat 302 I think

 

[Simon edwards]

I think it was about £1500 difference between an 18 and a 20. I think it's well worth it because the 20 will go as narrow as the 18 but quite a bit longer tracks and 250mm instead of 230mm. Longer arm, bigger track motors. The 20 has no problem running 3 ton buckets sizes, I'm not sure how the 18 would compare it has less breakout etc.

I did look at the Cat 302 and had a go on one. Personal preference of course but the Wacker felt smoother and steadier somehow- whereas the cat was snappy and quick, the cat has a lot of technology on it which would have been no benefit to me at all so prefer the old school layout and simplicity of the Wacker.. also little things like the expanding track ram on the cat seems low to the ground and quite exposed. The Wackers is tucked up out the way and has a heavy duty guard below it.
Not sure what a Cat 302 costs tbh I think they are competitively priced quite good value for money given all the technology and made in china probably helps keep costs down

Thank you,
That’s a brilliant review and the fact you have tried a cat as well probably saves me having too. My old ca(wacker) is still superbly smooth so makes sense to stick with the wacker neuson from what you say about the cat hydraulics.
If I can get a similar price difference for the 20 then as the width is the same it’s a no brainer.
Thanks again .
Anyone want to buy a cat 301.7

 

[Storrsy]

Thank you,
That’s a brilliant review and the fact you have tried a cat as well probably saves me having too. My old ca(wacker) is still superbly smooth so makes sense to stick with the wacker neuson from what you say about the cat hydraulics.
If I can get a similar price difference for the 20 then as the width is the same it’s a no brainer.
Thanks again .
Anyone want to buy a cat 301.7

Also worth baring in mind the cat 302 (which is the nearest comparable model at 2200kg) only goes down to 1090mm instead of 990mm like the ET20. The cat is zero tail so true to form the width is wider to make up for it. The cat 301.8 is standard counterweight though.
Question is would you go for the VDS? It's basically standard on the ET18/20/24 now for the UK unless you ask for their European spec machines (like mine is). I ummed and arred for ages over VDS and if I had gone for the ET24 I probably would have gone for it but on the ET20 the one thing that really bothered me was how low the bottom of the VDS ram was off the ground. I could just see it getting hung up on a sneaky granite boulder and getting damaged. But those who have the VDS say they love it

 

[AHPP]

If you wanted to be 'quick and dirty', you'd just put a manual valve between the lines - somewhere near the bucket.

For argument’s sake, could you do the same with the rotate circuit of a rotating grab? Say you only had one aux circuit and didn’t want to install a diverter. You pipe the grab function to your working aux pipes and then shunt the rotate ports together with a valve in the line. Open valve to let it rotate on the breeze, close valve to somewhat brake it. Would it work?

 

[Monkeybusiness]

Also worth baring in mind the cat 302 (which is the nearest comparable model at 2200kg) only goes down to 1090mm instead of 990mm like the ET20. The cat is zero tail so true to form the width is wider to make up for it. The cat 301.8 is standard counterweight though.
Question is would you go for the VDS? It's basically standard on the ET18/20/24 now for the UK unless you ask for their European spec machines (like mine is). I ummed and arred for ages over VDS and if I had gone for the ET24 I probably would have gone for it but on the ET20 the one thing that really bothered me was how low the bottom of the VDS ram was off the ground. I could just see it getting hung up on a sneaky granite boulder and getting damaged. But those who have the VDS say they love it

Did you look at/compare the TB225 when researching the Wacker @Storrsy? Just interested in where that would sit in this mix.

 

[Storrsy]

Did you look at/compare the TB225 when researching the Wacker @Storrsy? Just interested in where that would sit in this mix.

Yes I had the TB225 on hire for a few days. It was a contender for sure but it's a bit of an odd machine. It's 2400kg so slightly heavier than the ET20, wouldn't say there was much between them power wise but the 225 has more weight and is better across the tracks, however its expanding tracks are a bit pointless really as they don't go in under a meter. (1100mm i think). Also the 225 is very low ground clearance and don't have tracking pedals etc or hydraulics that you can turn down for the auxiliaries. Tak was £31k and mine was £25k ex buckets so quite a saving really. Tak would almost certainly hold it's value better though the beauty of the ET20 is it really is a very capable machine at 2200kg but still goes where a 1.8 tonner will go width wise.

 

[Simon edwards]

Also worth baring in mind the cat 302 (which is the nearest comparable model at 2200kg) only goes down to 1090mm instead of 990mm like the ET20. The cat is zero tail so true to form the width is wider to make up for it. The cat 301.8 is standard counterweight though.
Question is would you go for the VDS? It's basically standard on the ET18/20/24 now for the UK unless you ask for their European spec machines (like mine is). I ummed and arred for ages over VDS and if I had gone for the ET24 I probably would have gone for it but on the ET20 the one thing that really bothered me was how low the bottom of the VDS ram was off the ground. I could just see it getting hung up on a sneaky granite boulder and getting damaged. But those who have the VDS say they love it

I keep looking at the VDS , unsure if I’d really benefit from it.It’s easy to keep adding options and upping the price on what is for my needs a fairly basic machine.

 

[Storrsy]

I keep looking at the VDS , unsure if I’d really benefit from it.It’s easy to keep adding options and upping the price on what is for my needs a fairly basic machine.

I deduced the same and it was like yeah it could be handy but then also more points to get wear in, higher cab to climb out plus the ground clearance issue and decided against it.

 

[CPS]

For argument’s sake, could you do the same with the rotate circuit of a rotating grab? Say you only had one aux circuit and didn’t want to install a diverter. You pipe the grab function to your working aux pipes and then shunt the rotate ports together with a valve in the line. Open valve to let it rotate on the breeze, close valve to somewhat brake it. Would it work?

Im not sure what your question is, but id have to say no

 

[Monkeybusiness]

Yes I had the TB225 on hire for a few days. It was a contender for sure but it's a bit of an odd machine. It's 2400kg so slightly heavier than the ET20, wouldn't say there was much between them power wise but the 225 has more weight and is better across the tracks, however its expanding tracks are a bit pointless really as they don't go in under a meter. (1100mm i think). Also the 225 is very low ground clearance and don't have tracking pedals etc or hydraulics that you can turn down for the auxiliaries. Tak was £31k and mine was £25k ex buckets so quite a saving really. Tak would almost certainly hold it's value better though the beauty of the ET20 is it really is a very capable machine at 2200kg but still goes where a 1.8 tonner will go width wise.

That ET20 does sound like a great spec for the money!

 

[V8Druid]

Huateng HT18 mini excavator with tilt rotation bucket and hydraulic breaker attachment https://share.google/6nvDItLARsMRhITof

23 hrs!!!!! ... did you see the slop in it !!!!!!