Is the backhoe loader a thing of the past?

[V8Druid]

Strikes me alot of stuff is poorly prepped if at all. So much of this stuff where it peels of in sheets doesn't look like there's any primer just paint on to bare metal
Raises the question which manufacturer (diggers) does the best paint job. I would probably say Kubota

well you know what I'm gonna say - begins with an H
for its age mine is amazing

 

[Furniss]

Strikes me alot of stuff is poorly prepped if at all. So much of this stuff where it peels of in sheets doesn't look like there's any primer just paint on to bare metal
Raises the question which manufacturer (diggers) does the best paint job. I would probably say Kubota

Wacker is v good on yellow suffers some on sharp edges on lower cab grey - sheeting off jcb black on those I had was the worse, yeah kubotas seem decent on paint but newer one i have is worse than the 2011 kx71 which is faded but still present, I would say newer kub is generally poorer than older stuff, but that seems common across nearly everything.

 

[Vinpetrol]

well you know what I'm gonna say - begins with an H
for its age mine is amazing

What year is it buddy ?

 

[hiluxman]

Flicking through the sales ads and a nice 432e pops up, those that know, it's only cat for me (don't dislike others, just prefer) everytime I see one it makes me want to itch the scratch again....tho I'm sure I was happier when I was sat in one.

 

[V8Druid]

What year is it buddy ?

well it was (as far as I can ascertain - there is absolutely no plate on her) manufactured in '97. It remained in the custody of Hydrema UK for 2 years as their show demonstrator until being sold to an owner/operator.
It spent its entire life working in water treatment plants clearing sand filter beds, on floaties, which explains why it is still on its original factory fitted tyres - they were never used - never been road reg. or tramped about, other than in the confines of water treatment plants.
Hydrema's stores manager in Yorkshire is/was the fitter who maintained her since new and is a mine of info. (and exceedingly helpful to me ).
Parts are next day usually ..
He even sent me all the parts manuals and all folders they had on the M1500 as it's the only one in the UK and only of use to me (4 x A4 ring binder type volumes )
can't get much better provenance on a machine
I've even spoken to the O/op. several times, since I bought her in 2014 - arrived here on the 28th April, courtesy of our very own Mogman, who collected her from Norwich for me. Was a 500 mile round trip (and a very long day) to view her and do the deal, the previous week.
came with a 4ft toothed bucket, that'd almost never been in the dirt, a 7ft grader and a gert clamshell that was used for loading sand hoppers


was a steep and rapid learning curve, running nigh on 16t of 'duck' but soon got the hang of hopping her up and down that step .... and she eventually created 'my patch' ..... with a little help from 'my co-pilot'

that step was close to 4 ft and taller than the 10.00-20 wheels on her

 

[V8Druid]

would love to have a couple of hours on that FOW, coming from a duck ...... used to use my JakieB a lot FOW and your over the side capability was pretty limited - usable, but limited ... that 4 CX looks a weapon though -- might have to go visit Ollie

 

[Gunners]

would love to have a couple of hours on that FOW, coming from a duck ...... used to use my JakieB a lot FOW and your over the side capability was pretty limited - usable, but limited ... that 4 CX looks a weapon though -- might have to go visit Ollie

FOW duties on this 4cx is far better than my 3. Full bucket of concrete in the tilting ditcher 90 degrees over the side to full reach with the extender in. I've not got the front bucket on so not brave enough to poke the extra dig out yet but suspect it would go some way with the extra counter balance of having the bucket on the front.

 

[Storrsy]

FOW duties on this 4cx is far better than my 3. Full bucket of concrete in the tilting ditcher 90 degrees over the side to full reach with the extender in. I've not got the front bucket on so not brave enough to poke the extra dig out yet but suspect it would go some way with the extra counter balance of having the bucket on the front.

You've filled a bucket with concrete already! Slippery slope.

 

[V8Druid]

FOW duties on this 4cx is far better than my 3. Full bucket of concrete in the tilting ditcher 90 degrees over the side to full reach with the extender in. I've not got the front bucket on so not brave enough to poke the extra dig out yet but suspect it would go some way with the extra counter balance of having the bucket on the front.

but where was the king post ??

 

[hiluxman]

but where was the king post ??

I was just gonna ask that.

 

[Jimbo69]

FOW duties on this 4cx is far better than my 3. Full bucket of concrete in the tilting ditcher 90 degrees over the side to full reach with the extender in. I've not got the front bucket on so not brave enough to poke the extra dig out yet but suspect it would go some way with the extra counter balance of having the bucket on the front.

It’ll go further with the front bucket off believe it or not, puts more weight on the back wheels.

 

[Storrsy]

It’ll go further with the front bucket off believe it or not, puts more weight on the back wheels.

In the much the same way rear wheel weights on a loader tractor load the front axles up?

 

[diggerjones]

It’ll go further with the front bucket off believe it or not, puts more weight on the back wheels.

I wouldn't agree, I can't imagine it would transfer weight to the back. Just make front lighter. I can experiment tomorrow if anyone wants, my front bucket is quick release.

 

[V8Druid]

I wouldn't agree, I can't imagine it would transfer weight to the back. Just make front lighter. I can experiment tomorrow if anyone wants, my front bucket is quick release.

I can see why .. the front bucket is not counterbalancing the rear weight over the front axle ... consider how light the back end becomes with a stuffed front bucket, hanging out past the front axle and how flat the fronts become

 

[Jimbo69]

I wouldn't agree, I can't imagine it would transfer weight to the back. Just make front lighter. I can experiment tomorrow if anyone wants, my front bucket is quick release.

My first 3CX had the detachable front bucket, did a lot of kerbing with it and it made a difference working full reach over the side with it off. It is counterintuitive though, make sure to take a video tomorrow

 

[V8Druid]

well it was (as far as I can ascertain - there is absolutely no plate on her) manufactured in '97. It remained in the custody of Hydrema UK for 2 years as their show demonstrator until being sold to an owner/operator.
It spent its entire life working in water treatment plants clearing sand filter beds, on floaties, which explains why it is still on its original factory fitted tyres - they were never used - never been road reg. or tramped about, other than in the confines of water treatment plants.
Hydrema's stores manager in Yorkshire is/was the fitter who maintained her since new and is a mine of info. (and exceedingly helpful to me ).
Parts are next day usually ..
He even sent me all the parts manuals and all folders they had on the M1500 as it's the only one in the UK and only of use to me (4 x A4 ring binder type volumes )
can't get much better provenance on a machine
I've even spoken to the O/op. several times, since I bought her in 2014 - arrived here on the 28th April, courtesy of our very own Mogman, who collected her from Norwich for me. Was a 500 mile round trip (and a very long day) to view her and do the deal, the previous week.
came with a 4ft toothed bucket, that'd almost never been in the dirt, a 7ft grader and a gert clamshell that was used for loading sand hoppers
View attachment 76677 View attachment 76673 View attachment 76674 View attachment 76675 View attachment 76676 View attachment 76678
View attachment 76681 View attachment 76679 View attachment 76680
was a steep and rapid learning curve, running nigh on 16t of 'duck' but soon got the hang of hopping her up and down that step .... and she eventually created 'my patch' ..... with a little help from 'my co-pilot'
View attachment 76684 View attachment 76683
View attachment 76682

couple more 'steppping' escapades

and my favourite pic of her

leg is down to level the arse with the blade and take the twist out
deffo one of my best ever buys

 

[hiluxman]

Regardless of physics, side over with rear arm and no legs is based on how hard your arse is pulling on the seat lining.

I've done many things with a backhoe loader and sometimes just been on the slightest of angle makes the difference.

This is where proper drivers are made...it not because 'it' can, its because you can do it or make the job happen because you know how to make the machine work its best safely and swiftly.
There's no reason to work a machine on its limit. In this instance you'd just put a leg down for the seconds it takes.

 

[Simon edwards]

I think One of the most unsettling feelings is loading or working over the side thinking your front buckets down but it’s actually balancing on a lump of hardcore or very uneven ground, when you slew and reach she rocks over very fast,if you’re on an angle or slope as well it can be humbling no matter how many years under your belt.

 

[DaveDCB]

I’d always make sure the front bucket was down flat over sitting the machine level. When working over the side having the 4 corner points of contact makes all the difference ! I’m taking swinging full 3 ft bucket around here!

 

[doobin]

I’d always make sure the front bucket was down flat over sitting the machine level. When working over the side having the 4 corner points of contact makes all the difference ! I’m taking swinging full 3 ft bucket around here!

Mine was s**t on the back end at 90 degrees however I placed the front bucket. Embarassing how I couldn’t even ditch with it.