Wacker Neuson ET145

[Grahams]

Interesting point you could be right

I really like the idea of one of these. So flexible for awkward work.
I happen to have a PDF for the Komatsu PC138US, which I have attached for comparison. Very nice machine, but not as flexible as a kingpost and most used ones don't seem to have the blade.

 

[Bri963]

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.

I see what you’re saying Gas, but on the ET you’ve got a good view in the straight-ahead position without off-setting the boom.

Dod, you’ve probably clocked that if it’s opinions you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place - in spades! Sit your backside in one, it’s the only way you’ll know if it’s the right machine.

 

[Bri963]

I really like the idea of one of these. So flexible for awkward work.
I happen to have a PDF for the Komatsu PC138US, which I have attached for comparison. Very nice machine, but not as flexible as a kingpost and most used ones don't seem to have the blade.

Do these come on rubber tracks?

 

[Grahams]

Do these come on rubber tracks?

I've only seen them on steels or the road tracks. Not sure what they are called, but plasticky rubber pads instead of the metal track pads. Great on road, but horrible on grass as they have large gaps between each pad, so it sinks up to the height of the pads, so the marks are bad in a straight line, but really makes a mess on corners no matter how careful you are. I would prefer steels with bolt on rubber pads for road use if required, but I only hire them.

 

[Smiffy]

I've been on site with the equivalent tekuchi king post machine and it was one hell of an unwealdly machine I don't know what it was like to operate but it needed alot more space to operate than than a zero tail hitachi
Did hav

I really like the idea of one of these. So flexible for awkward work.
I happen to have a PDF for the Komatsu PC138US, which I have attached for comparison. Very nice machine, but not as flexible as a kingpost and most used ones don't seem to have the blade.

Highly irrelevant but if buying new don't komatsu do various offset boom options built into the boom

 

[V8Druid]

I really like the idea of one of these. So flexible for awkward work.
I happen to have a PDF for the Komatsu PC138US, which I have attached for comparison. Very nice machine, but not as flexible as a kingpost and most used ones don't seem to have the blade.

looks a nice tool Gra ...... but still doesn't match me 'Drema's 3.2m gap ability

does have a better tail swing though

 

[Bri963]

I’ve no experience of those bolt-on pads, do you have any trouble keeping them on tracking a lot on tar and concrete? They look like they give a bad ride.

 

[mart1602]

pc 138 isa cracking machine if you can find one with a blade in budget ,one on ebay around the 50k mark

 

[GazCro]

looks a nice tool Gra ...... but still doesn't match me 'Drema's 3.2m gap ability View attachment 14850
View attachment 14851
does have a better tail swing though

That's the point i was making about zero swing non kingpost can wrap arm up with bucket above cab. Far more compact than a kingpost machine in that position.

 

[GazCro]

I see what you’re saying Gas, but on the ET you’ve got a good view in the straight-ahead position without off-setting the boom.

Dod, you’ve probably clocked that if it’s opinions you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place - in spades! Sit your backside in one, it’s the only way you’ll know if it’s the right machine.

The main reason i joined the forum opinions. As an owner op 99% of my experience is on my own machines, only very odd occasion i hire in and maybe get to try something different.

 

[dod]

A fair tail swing.
It is more 16 ton size.

 

[dod]

Dunno why those pics are sideways

So is it zero tail and 3 piece boom for compactness?

 

[GazCro]

Dunno why those pics are sideways

So is it zero tail and 3 piece boom for compactness?

2 piece boom for working in close to machine but not necessarily as compact when wrapped up at height depending on manufacturer. I found that when looking into it when buying my takeuchi 290 it didn't actually wrap up as tight, that along with less lift at reach put me off 2 piece boom at the time.

 

[Bri963]

Let’s be honest, not much is going to beat that Hydrema‘s working envelope, as long as there‘s room overhead! One size is never going to fit all, and whatever you buy there’s always a bit of “I wonder whether...” afterwards. But if the machine’s a good price, as Rory said W/N make some very under-rated machines. Build quality on the excavators is good. They seem to have a bit of the same philosophy as the old Ackermans; it’s up to customers whether they want to pay the price, but if they do, they get what they pay for. By the way, I don’t have a dog in this fight, I work for Caterpillar.

 

[TiltyShaun]

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

All depends on how and what work you are doing. My tilty is on the 3ton machine which is never far away from me! The 8 tonner is used mainly for bulk work which does not need the Tilty.
How do you get the cement for the concrete truck? Would be a pain chucking 20kg bags into it to fill it!!!!

 

[dod]

How do you get the cement for the concrete truck? Would be a pain chucking 20kg bags into it to fill it!!!!

If I buy an artic load 25kg bays are £2.85 each or £114 a ton. Ton bags are £128 a ton

The 25kg bags are plastic so can be left outside so its a no brainer to buy them...……………….

...….......However after filling the hopper with 11 ton to date I never want to see 25kg bag again!!!!!

 

[Smiffy]

Let’s be honest, not much is going to beat that Hydrema‘s working envelope, as long as there‘s room overhead! One size is never going to fit all, and whatever you buy there’s always a bit of “I wonder whether...” afterwards. But if the machine’s a good price, as Rory said W/N make some very under-rated machines. Build quality on the excavators is good. They seem to have a bit of the same philosophy as the old Ackermans; it’s up to customers whether they want to pay the price, but if they do, they get what they pay for. By the way, I don’t have a dog in this fight, I work for Caterpillar.

Tbh I think the only thing that would match the hydremaa whilst digging offset would be a mecalac with their fancy booms

MECALAC | 10MCR, New Crawler Skid-Excavator, compact and innovative!

MECALAC | New 10MCR Crawler Skid-Excavator: choose a high-performance mechanical and hydraulic excavator. Compact, versatile crawler excavator: fast chassis...

www.mecalac.com

 

[Komatsu]

Highly irrelevant but if buying new don't komatsu do various offset boom options built into the boom

yes they do the tracks are called road-liners, moving the boom to L/R is going to make the swing circle quite tight.

 

[Grahams]

If I buy an artic load 25kg bays are £2.85 each or £114 a ton. Ton bags are £128 a ton

The 25kg bags are plastic so can be left outside so its a no brainer to buy them...……………….

...….......However after filling the hopper with 11 ton to date I never want to see 25kg bag again!!!!!

Bet you buy the tonne bags next time. At only £14 per tonne difference my time is worth more than that and so is my back.

 

[TiltyShaun]

Bet you buy the tonne bags next time. At only £14 per tonne difference my time is worth more than that and so is my back.

s**t me, I was only joking about filling it with 20kg bags!!!
The price makes me laugh....I thought cement cartels where illegal now!!