Artic Steer / AWS Backhoe Loaders - Anybody Run One

[doobin]

Would something like an avant be a good option in place of a smaller backhoe loader? They have some interesting looking attachments like remote controlled backhoe, stump grinders and hedge/ lawn cutters.
I've seen nearly new ones with 1.5 ton lift (750 model) up for about £40,000 Inc vat. If it would earn more than a 2.5 ton digger I don't know.

Attachments are BIG money- digger grabs and buckets are cheap! I'd love one and find a use for it for sure, but as a stand alone business? Doubtful. It's loader/tool carrier, not a backhoe replacement. If you need to dig, you need a 360 or a proper backhoe.

As for mowing etc- a compact tractor is a fraction of the cost and the day rate for stuff like flail mowing the same.

 

[Monkeybusiness]

I’ve had an Avant in for a couple of days removing timber from a graveyard - on the right job I don’t think there is a better bit of kit tbh. It’s been carrying 1 tonne plus lumps of timber across grass and not made any mess, even when turning when stationary from lock to lock. I don’t know how it does it - some sort of magic I reckon!
The one we have been using is a 640 - plenty of power, will apparently lift 1.7 tonnes(!) and will fit on a ‘normal’ plant trailer (GH94 etc). With forks, bucket and log grab with rotator it was apparently well under £30k ex demo.
Would I buy one? Almost definitely not as we don’t have enough work to warrant one (though I will be looking at jobs in a different way and making use of this one as often as possible from now on).
They have their limitations - not amazing off road, and incredible tail-heavy without anything on the front. Incredibly useful in the right application though!

 

[Smiffy]

I’ve had an Avant in for a couple of days removing timber from a graveyard - on the right job I don’t think there is a better bit of kit tbh. It’s been carrying 1 tonne plus lumps of timber across grass and not made any mess, even when turning when stationary from lock to lock. I don’t know how it does it - some sort of magic I reckon!
The one we have been using is a 640 - plenty of power, will apparently lift 1.7 tonnes(!) and will fit on a ‘normal’ plant trailer (GH94 etc). With forks, bucket and log grab with rotator it was apparently well under £30k ex demo.
Would I buy one? Almost definitely not as we don’t have enough work to warrant one (though I will be looking at jobs in a different way and making use of this one as often as possible from now on).
They have their limitations - not amazing off road, and incredible tail-heavy without anything on the front. Incredibly useful in the right application though!

I believe the avant has 3 open diffs and doesn't have an oscillating center joint or rocking rear axle which I think is the cause of poor off-road performance
The multione has some kind of limited slip diff fitted but again fixed center joint and back axle
Not sure what the giant and norcar have in the way of diffs but do know they both have either the oscillating joint or rocking axle so will follow the ground better

 

[Russell]