2 ton digger

[JD450A]

Place bucket in suitable position- Lift pod - open door if shut- put gloves on and get bar from back of pedals - get out of machine and walk to end of dipper - put bar in hole on hitch and push down - walk back to digger and open door If closed due to rain - place bar at back of tracking pedals - get in - take gloves off - put pod down - pick bucket up and click it into hitch

Stop grumbling Thomas

Why would the door be closed if the step by step guide does not detail closing it? Also it's not correct or safe to be using a spring hitch without the safety pin.

 

[Furniss]

Why would the door be closed if the step by step guide does not detail closing it? Also it's not correct or safe to be using a spring hitch without the safety pin.

Please see "edit for door" and I set off to mention safety pin but then though it would be an untruth so I wrote It as a "whilst working on my own scenario"

 

[JD450A]

Also what if you don't wear gloves?

 

[Furniss]

Also what if you don't wear gloves?

See edit

 

[Furniss]

I'm off on linked .... you get less hassle.

 

[Thomas7740]

@Furniss better than the semi hitch we had on the ex30, basically same steps but after you get in to pick bucket up you had to get back out to put pin in

 

[Furniss]

@Furniss better than the semi hitch we had on the ex30, basically same steps but after you get in to pick bucket up you had to get back out to put pin in

There you go ... stops me grumbling now - like my partner (for lack of a better word) says " everything's relative" Usually preceded by "OH FFS"

 

[TiltyShaun]

Place bucket in suitable position- Lift pod - open door if shut- put gloves (optional depending on muck on bar or outside temperature) and get bar from back of pedals - get out of machine and walk to end of dipper - put bar in hole on hitch and push down - walk back to digger and open door If you have closed it due to rain - place bar at back of tracking pedals - get in - take gloves off (if on) - put pod down - pick bucket up and click it into hitch

This sequence does not include the necessary steps or indeed make mention of the safety pin which must be used at all times.

Stop grumbling Thomas

Someone actually reads the Method Statement!!

 

[Thomas7740]

Cheap U27 if anyone wants it….

 

[Furniss]

Pleased to say I've never had to read or produce a method statement "vive la (rural) France"

 

[V8Druid]

@Furniss better than the semi hitch we had on the ex30, basically same steps but after you get in to pick bucket up you had to get back out to put pin in

yeh but no safety pin required

 

[V8Druid]

Have no experience with any wacker machines apart from our EZ26 but find it a lovely machine, and any others who have drove it have agreed. Approaching 800 hours now and has been faultless. Only thing I don’t like is how the hyd hitch works, flick switch on lhs console, press button on floor with right heel and then open the hitch using the blade lever. Really annoys us but you kind of get used to it. Apart from that it’s a lovely machine, can handle an oversized bucket really well
View attachment 30268

'tis a fair faff that, fair play ....... but better than a drift, sledge and greasy pins

 

[Furniss]

Years ago when I worked for someone I got given a 20t hitachi with no hitch

 

[Shovelhands]

Years ago when I worked for someone I got given a 20t hitachi with no hitch

It’s character building….

 

[Furniss]

It’s character building….

I think that's what the bloke said who gave me it - soon got sorted when he clocked we were gravelling up drains dug with a 6ft bucket

 

[Storrsy]

Get a spring hitch with a nice bit of slop in it- give the bucket a flick and it locks itself

 

[Smiffy]

Get a spring hitch with a nice bit of slop in it- give the bucket a flick and it locks itself

Problem is they have a tendency to unlock themselves too.

I drove a hire machine once and everything was so worn out the bucket fell off with the safety pin in.

 

[Furniss]

Get a spring hitch with a nice bit of slop in it- give the bucket a flick and it locks itself

My jcb hitch will snap in but not come out

 

[V8Druid]

My jcb hitch will snap in but not come out

ditto .. on JakieB and lil' jake

 

[Bryredz]

You also need a stepladder to get in a zx19U. The floor is mega high in them and the lack of A pillar means there isnt much to grab onto to haul yourself up.

In response to the OP, go have a look if you can at each of the 3 machines, or the dealer should be able to put you in touch with someone who has one if they don't have any stock at the moment. Get some prices and see who's keen to sell you one at a reasonable price. The Wacker is likely to be more expensive than the others but it will have more features as standard which may or may not be important to you. VDS for example.
Do keep us updated as you go, always good to hear what prices dealers are giving at the moment

Sorry for the massive delay with prices but here goes !
Wacker Neuson ET18 with 2 door cab, hydraulic hitch and VDS £24,700
Wacker Neuson ET20 as above £25,200 both plus vat
Looking at approx 3 month wait for new machines !
The dealer had an ET24 in that I had a look around , looked to be a well thought out machine, comfortable seat with good all round vision and very smooth to operate. It even has colour coordinated grease nipples for daily , weekly or monthly checks !
Just can't afford it at the moment, maybe next year !!