Wacker Neuson ET145

[dod]

Anyone any experience on one? I like the brand. And the 14tonner with a blade and king post idea. Just never seen one in the flesh never mind driven one.

 

[Routy56]

No experience on this model, but I love the brand
Have own a baby 1503RD mini for the last 10 years or so.
In that time it's been 100% reliable
Had a gander at the model you are asking about and now I want one.....
Wacker Neuson ET145
But I will follow this post with interest

 

[JD450A]

Wacker Neuson is a very under rated Brand. But get a demo first! I've found there model range to be very hit and miss with some machines being absolute weapons (there 1t hi tip dumpers for example) and others being a dithering disappointment (think there 8t machine was the one I was saddened at at plantworx)

 

[doobin]

Takeuchi do a similar model which is more commonly found.

 

[Furniss]

Wacker Neuson ET145 Digger | RJ and KD McLean Ltd – Tractors and Plant

 

[Grahams]

Wacker Neuson ET145 Digger | RJ and KD McLean Ltd – Tractors and Plant

Looks like something to put the £50,000 government loan to.

 

[GazCro]

I think kingpost on a 14 tonner makes them a bit light duty. Admittedly makes more versatile in a tight spot but I'd look at conventional style boom. Blade is handy and most manufacturers offer it as option on 14 tonners but it's not that common to see.

 

[V8Druid]

No experience on this model, but I love the brand
Have own a baby 1503RD mini for the last 10 years or so.
In that time it's been 100% reliable
Had a gander at the model you are asking about and now I want one.....
Wacker Neuson ET145
But I will follow this post with interest

that with a VA boom'd be some weapon

 

[TiltyShaun]

I think kingpost on a 14 tonner makes them a bit light duty. Admittedly makes more versatile in a tight spot but I'd look at conventional style boom. Blade is handy and most manufacturers offer it as option on 14 tonners but it's not that common to see.

I prefer the conventional boom on my 8 tonner let alone a 14!!!

 

[TiltyShaun]

So it is now 2 years old with just over 300hrs on it. Does that mean someone was disappointed in it or are there really people out there that buy them as toys??

 

[GazCro]

Takeuchi do a similar model which is more commonly found.

Takeuchi are more commonly found in austria than wacker neuson as well, market leader over there for mini and midi excavators.

 

[Bri963]

I have spent time on two of these machines, both with blade and two-piece boom. First thing is, they look small for a 14 tonner,, but that’s down the the thickness of the steel used. They are very stable, having a lot of low-down weight. Not the quickest of machines, but if you’re doing heavy civils they’re a good weapon with the blade and offset. Handy on housing sites or anywhere else with restrictions. However, if your main work is production, go for a conventional machine. The ET would never keep up with a Hitachi, Volvo or similar on truck loading, ditching, etc, but if that isn’t a consideration, go for it. Or at least have a test drive.

 

[Bri963]

I think kingpost on a 14 tonner makes them a bit light duty. Admittedly makes more versatile in a tight spot but I'd look at conventional style boom. Blade is handy and most manufacturers offer it as option on 14 tonners but it's not that common to see.

missed your bit, Gaz. Obviously the king post does detract, but have a look at one and you’ll see that Wacker put the meat where it’s needed, and you’d have to hammer one and not grease it to kill it. As I said above, they aren’t the fastest machines either, which helps life.

 

[dod]

Wow - thanks for all your input.
There are very few in UK. Getting a demo would be very difficult and Im after a second hand one. I can have a shot of one in a yard but you can only get so much out of that.

Wacker Neuson is a very under rated Brand. But get a demo first! I've found there model range to be very hit and miss with some machines being absolute weapons (there 1t hi tip dumpers for example) and others being a dithering disappointment (think there 8t machine was the one I was saddened at at plantworx)

I had a demo of 9 tonner. Im sure they are the same. Thought it was amazing!!

Takeuchi do a similar model which is more commonly found.

Few of them round here. I just start looking like the competition

I have spent time on two of these machines, both with blade and two-piece boom. First thing is, they look small for a 14 tonner,, but that’s down the the thickness of the steel used. They are very stable, having a lot of low-down weight. Not the quickest of machines, but if you’re doing heavy civils they’re a good weapon with the blade and offset. Handy on housing sites or anywhere else with restrictions. However, if your main work is production, go for a conventional machine. The ET would never keep up with a Hitachi, Volvo or similar on truck loading, ditching, etc, but if that isn’t a consideration, go for it. Or at least have a test drive.

Thanks for that. I have 8 tonners but they are sometimes a bit small. It mainly civils and round houses we are working. Can buy a JS160 say for very little money comparatively but feel I wouldn't use it on a lot of jobs

 

[dod]

I prefer the conventional boom on my 8 tonner let alone a 14!!!

I know a few folk like you. I however love having a kingpost. Having a tilty has given me all the usual benefits but i like working my bucket out my side door

 

[GazCro]

missed your bit, Gaz. Obviously the king post does detract, but have a look at one and you’ll see that Wacker put the meat where it’s needed, and you’d have to hammer one and not grease it to kill it. As I said above, they aren’t the fastest machines either, which helps life.

I wouldn't dispute they have enough metal in them i just think above 10 ton go conventional boom unless you've got a lot of specific work for the kingpost machine. I'd reckon a 14 ton zero swing would be more compact than the et145.

 

[dod]

I'd reckon a 14 ton zero swing would be more compact than the et145.

Interesting point you could be right

 

[Bri963]

The ET145 doesn’t have much arse, and with the two-piece boom it folds back further than any mono boom machine the same weight, and by a big margin. Even a monoboom folded round, like Dod says he likes working, reduces the envelope quite a bit.

One problem when thinking about a different machine like this is perceptions. I can remember when rubber tracks were a waste of time on a machine over 5 tonnes, now they’re fitted to 15 tonne machines and surviving. Same with offset booms, they’re getting fitted to much bigger machines nowadays and surviving. Offset will never outperform fixed for some work, but in the right application...

 

[GazCro]

The ET145 doesn’t have much arse, and with the two-piece boom (I’ve operated mono and two-piece ET’s) it folds back further than any mono boom machine the same weight, and by a big margin. Even a monoboom folded round, like Dod says he likes working, reduces the envelope quite a bit.

One problem when thinking about a different machine like this is perceptions. I can remember when rubber tracks were a waste of time on a machine over 5 tonnes, now they’re fitted to 15 tonne machines and surviving. Same with offset booms, they’re getting fitted to much bigger machines nowadays and surviving. Offset will never outperform fixed for some work, but in the right application...

I quite often run with offset round so im looking out the door as well, but it's worth noting on a kingpost machine it's usually so you can see the full bucket without looking around the boom as its mounted further forward. Not an issue on regular 14 ton class where boom is mounted beside you.

 

[Furniss]

I like working out of the side door too ... very useful