Mecalac & Work

[Op_Alx24/7]

Hey All

Well I guess its time to start this, give me something else to do in the evenings other than paperwork etc. and there's not many old Mec's floating about and maybe some of you are interested
in this so ill give it a go. I am self employed and have been now for 3 years, has had its up and down moments as we all do, there has been days where I wished I was just sat on a seat for someone else. Its been a just over a year now owning Mercy the Mecalac (yep she's got a name) coming into winter looking to find a work shop so I can strip her down for some updating and some niggling repairs including a lot of bodged wiring over the years thanks to previous owner and Nordic weather, I'll get some pictures up and feel free to ask any questions Thanks Alex

As I first went to look at her in Norway at the dealers, Owner upgraded to a nice Cat Duck
top spec i believe


First day at home next to the other older girl


The first major job that needed doing was the electrical slip rings needed replacing as they where
very badly corroded and where causing a lot of issues on slew


New unit was an upgraded sealed unit which made the job easier but meant dealing with a lot of wires
with no colour coding and minimal marks which was fun of course




And routing cables through this lovely nest lol


Got that all done and tested full service inc oil and all filters sorted, then it was loaded up onto the truck and off to the first job throwing a lot of rocks around



And has been kept busy everyday since not been home since nov last year, so can't complain too much,

Spot of screening with the new bucket


and last pic i have as she currently looks ready to have a lot of work done over winter


Thanks Alex

 

[Mogman]

Useful tool there but the cab is on the wrong side
Good when a machine is out all the time
What kind of road speed will it do?

 

[Op_Alx24/7]

Useful tool there but the cab is on the wrong side
Good when a machine is out all the time
What kind of road speed will it do?

Does about 20mph ish needs the restrictor turned up a bit but just not had the chance yet tbh

 

[Mogman]

Do they have a switch in the cab to switch between excavator mode and loader mode

 

[Op_Alx24/7]

Do they have a switch in the cab to switch between excavator mode and loader mode

Yea they sure do I'll take a pic tomorrow they have 4 different modes in these ones which switch the controls around quite a bit

 

[Grahams]

Great start to a thread. I always like interesting stuff.
Having taken the big step of buying something weird you must be well pleased it has been out all year.
Graham

 

[Mogman]

Great start to a thread. I always like interesting stuff.
Having taken the big step of buying something weird you must be well pleased it has been out all year.
Graham

How can you say ‘weird’ you run two walkers

 

[V8Druid]

How can you say ‘weird’ you run two walkers

 

[Op_Alx24/7]

Yea have been really pleased it has done pretty much everything I’ve asked of it in all sorts of conditions and places, so has been a good tool, tilty makes the machine along with the wheels

 

[sjs5060]

Alex she looks a good tool that's for sure, and I'm glad the gamble worked out for you.
Seeing as your running such a rare piece of kit could you tell us what the mainstay of your work is? And for what type of clients?

Thanks, Ste

 

[Grahams]

How can you say ‘weird’ you run two walkers

Weird is good in my book. Too much competition with standard stuff. Let others drive their prices down to rock bottom doing it the same way as everyone else. I’ll try and innovate to stay ahead.
Graham

 

[Lynchy]

Looking bit sheepish,a bit back,wasn't me got it covered in conc from cfa rig,since had bogies removed,refurb n occasionally used to load out,few engcons in yard,or were last time I was there,but never used now

 

[Op_Alx24/7]

Those 14mbx are big girls, plenty of power in them too, I've got all the rail gear for mine too sat in yard

 

[Lynchy]

Those 14mbx are big girls, plenty of power in them too, I've got all the rail gear for mine too sat in yard

Yeah think there's still few on rail job,ideal for utx,digging under track,two this firm has all the symbols are worn off switch's n both slightly different pita

 

[Op_Alx24/7]

So its been a busy couple days, the machines in the workshop just lol, onto a strip down and freshen up, but only got a short time to do it in so
may not get everything done i wanted to, so please enjoy the pics

Huge lack of pictures yesterday as it was the hot pressure washer day and i everything was covered in shite and
grease hence the lack of pictures

but got the heater setup, I have a second one of these for sale brand new never opened or used for sale,
kicks out some great heat 17kw i think on full blast


Todays job was get the wheels off and stripped and by hell am i glad i did the two rears where filled
with very murky water and the results with the rims can be seen,



As such now have a dirty workshop floor which needs washing down



All four off and stripped in just over a hour which was great, can see the front too in a bit better condition
so may have to rethink the water ballasting, or if any one knows a better long term solution,



see what comes back from them being blasted and powder coated hopefully 4 rims and not two in which case
i will be shopping for two rims , Trucks in for service and of course they give you a silly little car so off to the powder
coaters we go lol, two at a time and a bit of fiddling to get them in,



so machines in the air ready to have a full chassis treatment in Mecalac Grey instead of yellow few hoses to replace and a few
other bits to get sorted over the next week back to work on the 14th, all fun and games as always



oh and if anyones knows of a cheap diesel forklift for sale please give me a shout I'm in the market for one

Thanks

 

[Shovelhands]

Are the powder coaters going to zinc prime the rims before they powder coat them?

 

[Op_Alx24/7]

Are the powder coaters going to zinc prime the rims before they powder coat them?

Not sure, is that something I should do ?

 

[Shovelhands]

Not sure, is that something I should do ?

Imo powder coating on to bare metal is ok for a TV stand, but no good for anything that’s outside. But I know people who have had PPC done on machines over the top of a good quality zinc primer and the results have been good, and very durable. I’ve had it done on galv fencing too.
PPC is very hard wearing, but if it’s on bare metal then one chip or scratch and it’s game over.

Best speak to the coating guys, they will be best to advise you

 

[V8Druid]

Imo powder coating on to bare metal is ok for a TV stand, but no good for anything that’s outside. But I know people who have had PPC done on machines over the top of a good quality zinc primer and the results have been good, and very durable. I’ve had it done on galv fencing too.
PPC is very hard wearing, but if it’s on bare metal then one chip or scratch and it’s game over.

Best speak to the coating guys, they will be best to advise you

are you talking about hot zinc spray James ?

 

[Grahams]

but got the heater setup, I have a second one of these for sale brand new never opened or used for sale,
kicks out some great heat 17kw i think on full blast
View attachment 4744

Seen those heats advertised. Look really good spec. Multi fuel I think. Is it a dry heat? I’ve only had gas heaters and they tend to produce a damp heat and everything drips in condensation.
Graham