Great machine, what are you replacing it with?
Exactly the same but with a slightly different spec, the Engcon is being transferred over onto the new one.
Ok I will say I worked on three brand new ones in 2018, generally the repairs were all hydraulic, hose fitting leaks, ram fitting leaks, O ring leaks on pump supply hoses! (120 hrs)
Although leaks like that are frustrating they aren't exactly big problems and should have been easily resolved on warranty, much like any other manufacturer.
I know nothing about them although they do get some stick over here in France on social media for being a bit fragile.
Different proposition to a standard 6t money wise so what sort of work makes it worth it ?
Hope its got autolube
No autolube unfortunately, although it is an option. However if you actually break down what each component is there aren't any extra pivot point compared to a typical excavator with a 2 peice boom, its just they are in different places (namely the offset pivot being in the boom)
Why?
Because it tracks around a bit quicker and you can use it a bit like a compromised skid steer?
Just don’t see the advantage over spending same as 6 ton and skid/tele/avant load carrier having the flexibility of two machines vs 1 expensive halfway machine.
Its not really the speed of tracking that makes the difference, its how easy and ready it is to move when you need to, since the tracking system is completely separate from the general hydraulic system, its so easy to multitask. This makes it especially good when pushing out and levelling large areas of material, stick on the big loader bucket and push it out and then grade back using it like a grading beam.
A compromised skid steer? an MCR has significantly more lift height (we've loaded a 6 wheeler from 4ft below ground level with the skid bucket before), the ability to discharge material to the side of the machine whilst traveling (filling a trench for example) and the ability to slew 360 degrees so you don't need to skid around making a mess. Unless you are running very high flow attachments I struggle to see how much of a compromise it is considering the other work you can do with it.
Think they lift well and have good flow/tracking abilities for attachments but after that I was thinking similar and I'm genuinely interested in hearing what what makes them worth it over a 6t with tiltrotator which is in itself a pretty do it all little machine.
I have covered some of this above, lifting performance is pretty impressive, my 7MWR (wheeled equivalent of a 6MCR) was able to lift a 2.7/2.8t roller after it got stuck on a fence a few months ago and I have seen an 8MCR lift 4.2t! The excavator dipper on this 6 does reduce its capacity a little but its still very good, its all to do with geometry and using the right portion of the boom.
Other than what I have mentioned already, compactness is a big benefit. I have customers using their 6MCR's for jobs where most people would be using a 2.8 - 3.5t digger, if you can get the machine in then generally you can work and still slew 360 degrees, unlike a normal 6t digger the mecalac is practically a zero front swing as well as rear. a 6MCR with excavator dipper (like this one) will slew 360 degrees in 2.8m width.
Power , flow rate, yes tracking speed helps but it’s more for the pushing power, I like using mine like a mini dozer(rightly or wrongly) and also the ability to track and operate functions without any compromising. I’m not bothered by the skid steer bucket bit to be honest, I’d not bother as it would have a tilty on anyway. Plus it would match my dumper
Don't discount the skid bucket, our customer with this machine has the EC206 but still uses his skid bucket just as much as before! Although he also has a laser controlled blade he sticks on the front for final grade work. The picture is of it on his first 6MCR.
Having spent time on one, they are a rare beast that is a comparable tool in all it's roles to the standard alternative.
Only thing they lack is reach, and digging you need to master using the boom as a set rather than leaving the 3 piece in one place.
Reach on the standard Mecalac boom/dipper (with the cylinder below the arm) is less than a normal machine however the 6MCR with the excavator dipper has about an extra 300mm making it comparable to a standard 6t machine. With regards to operating, once you get your head around using the 3 piece boom and the different ways you can control it, it becomes second nature, the ease at which these machines track also mean you do start to operate differently and will sometimes use track movement instead of extending the boom.
The excavator style dipper (cylinder on the top) is much more familiar to use for someone coming from a standard excavator, you can pretty much set and forget the second boom if you want to, although I still use the intermediate boom too, just because I am used to it.
pretty sure the wheeled ones have a setting that automatically does that for you ..... there're several different operating modes selectable on 'em ...
@APhillips ???
There is a 'synchronise' mode which links the dipper and 2nd boom cylinder together on the left joystick but its more trouble than its worth, it just sends flow to the cylinder with the easiest movement which usually upsets the geometry, much easier to get used to the foot pedal, its no different to an extendable dipper in a BHL.
Sorry for the massive post guys, but hopefully that answers a few questions, if you want to see some pictures/videos of the machines working I have an Instagram for work I find interesting, mostly in our 7MWR and I have a couple of videos on our youtube channel too.
Specialist Plant Southwest Youtube
My Personal Mecalac Instagram
