Dumpers - Cab or no Cab

[DaveDCB]

I’m for getting a new 6 ton straight tip dumper shortly - the simple question is go for a cab or no cab?
I’ve never been on a cabbed version , my main issues and thoughts on it are - how loud/hot does it get? Will have aircon but on a hot day it’s fighting a full glass cab and being sat ontop of the engine so will it be effective?

Thwaites version seems to be a cab plonked ontop of the existing dumper - but these seem to hold money really well?

Where as Mecalac have made a whole new machine with isolated cabin - but dealers having to give them away with a cabbed version not going for much more than a non cab?

Other option was stick with standard roll bar and save bit of ££ for the sake of being dry/potentially cool in the summer.

I really dislike the new Thwaites pull down bar - it’s bulky/heavy/going to rattle over time & it’s awkward to release - but the side impact pads are a nice addition I must say!

The Mecalac ‘gates’ look utterly pointless and more of a hazard than a safety benefit!
Buying a dumper used to be easy

I’d seen @Stroppymonkey gas a 3 ton cabbed wacker neuson on hire , what’s that like?

 

[JD450A]

Mecalac cabbed dumper gets my vote tbh. Really nice bit of kit in reality especially with Aircon.

 

[Simon edwards]

Personally I think they’re a bit unnecessary on a dumper unless you are using it all the time muckshifting etc.The majority of smaller works usually involve a lot of on and off type stuff.
Also you make a labourer too comfortable on a dumper prising them off it gets even more of a challenge!
I agree the new gate things look a right pain though.

 

[Russell]

Is it correct that you are supposed to get off a un cabbed dumper when loading?
If so does that mean cabbed are ok to stay in whilst loading?

 

[Monkeybusiness]

Is it correct that you are supposed to get off a un cabbed dumper when loading?
If so does that mean cabbed are ok to stay in whilst loading?

Yes, and yes.

 

[JD450A]

Yes, and yes.

Yes and perhaps.

Trouble with the entirety of the rules around FTDs is they are written by spastics who have decided they are the kings of the UK plant safety scene and vital spokespeople for industry. (They are not and the CPA is comparable to dog s**t on a rigger boot IMHO).

I personally think there are many scenarios where getting on/off a FTD whilst loading is significantly more dangerous than sitting on it. Cabbed dumpers especially so.....

However the various maldoons point to the fact the cab isn't rated to be struck with an excavator

 

[DaveDCB]

Is it correct that you are supposed to get off a un cabbed dumper when loading?
If so does that mean cabbed are ok to stay in whilst loading?

Yes, and yes.

And with this new gate/rollbar system it makes it a real pain - I mentioned to them on the Thwaites stand that all these extra sequences you need to do will just result in guys staying on the seat more often!

 

[DaveDCB]

Yes and perhaps.

Trouble with the entirety of the rules around FTDs is they are written by spastics who have decided they are the kings of the UK plant safety scene and vital spokespeople for industry. (They are not and the CPA is comparable to dog s**t on a rigger boot IMHO).

I personally think there are many scenarios where getting on/off a FTD whilst loading is significantly more dangerous than sitting on it. Cabbed dumpers especially so.....

However the various maldoons point to the fact the cab isn't rated to be struck with an excavator

Plenty of videos showing cab’s being struck and been completely fine - I’d take my chances!
I agree that under certain situations it’s safer sat on the dumper - ie where it’s physically impossible for the machine to reach the seat etc! We have all slipped getting on and off them.. driven them while stood up due to wet seat etc I’m sure!

 

[Stroppymonkey]

I’m for getting a new 6 ton straight tip dumper shortly - the simple question is go for a cab or no cab?
I’ve never been on a cabbed version , my main issues and thoughts on it are - how loud/hot does it get? Will have aircon but on a hot day it’s fighting a full glass cab and being sat ontop of the engine so will it be effective?

Thwaites version seems to be a cab plonked ontop of the existing dumper - but these seem to hold money really well?
View attachment 83575
Where as Mecalac have made a whole new machine with isolated cabin - but dealers having to give them away with a cabbed version not going for much more than a non cab?
View attachment 83576
Other option was stick with standard roll bar and save bit of ££ for the sake of being dry/potentially cool in the summer.

I really dislike the new Thwaites pull down bar - it’s bulky/heavy/going to rattle over time & it’s awkward to release - but the side impact pads are a nice addition I must say!
View attachment 83577

The Mecalac ‘gates’ look utterly pointless and more of a hazard than a safety benefit!
Buying a dumper used to be easy

I’d seen @Stroppymonkey gas a 3 ton cabbed wacker neuson on hire , what’s that like?

We have the 3t swivel / cabbed WN on hire (£200 a week) and its legally towable Excellent bit of kit. Both side doors open and clip back so you get a lovely bit of fresh air and its dead easy to access/egress. Side/Rear vision is awesome. maybe it has a bit higher seating position? And a nice camera under the tub so you can see when tipping into a trench. No idea what they cost, but seems like an great bit of kit. Way better than pissing about with a fold down ROPS bar IMHO and nicer place generally to be putting an employee for a day when it has a cab. Even has a radio!

Bad bits. Reverse beeper gets on my tits and the key position is too low down/poorly positioned.

 

[Smiffy]

If you have the machine and dumper positioned so the bucket can't reach the cab (I know it's not always possible or practical) it's a far better way of being safe than getting off and standing in the way.

As for dumpers have a look at the N.C ones.
They have a canopy available which is a good compromise. Big enough to keep the worst of it off. Without the glass.
Also it is still a proper dumper whereas some of the cabbed machines have interiors. Specifically switches. That are entirely to delicate for a dumper. Neuson are particularly bad for this. The forward reverse switch is not labourer compliant.

 

[Smiffy]

The new one that natta had, had a piece of clear poly carbonate behind the driver to keep his back dry

Site Dumpers : NC SW5560 Power Swivel (6000kg Payload) - NC Engineering

Site Dumpers : NC SW5560 Power Swivel (6000kg Payload) | NC Engineering, machinery to the agriculture, industrial and construction industries.

www.nc-engineering.com

 

[Furniss]

I think unless someone makes you buy a cabbed one its just a pita - more complicated, more to break/replace, Dumper should be the most simple thing possible to cart muck around and clean look after.

 

[DaveDCB]

I think unless someone makes you buy a cabbed one its just a pita - more complicated, more to break/replace, Dumper should be the most simple thing possible to cart muck around and clean look after.

I do somewhat agree.. my dumper driver is 63,
I want him sat warm and cosy in winter and chilled in summer.. or he just ups and goes home

 

[V8Druid]

I had a couple of months on a 9t cabbed WN in '17 for Alex .. fair play he got the cabbed version specially - it was end of Jan when we started the job .. driest winter spell on record I reckon .. barely lost a day to rain, for months, but 'kin cold ... was nice to be in a warm place, but clearing the windows of frost of a morning was a PITA - good side and rear viz ... front was dire .. went everywhere backwards most of the time .. very close to the edge of a fishing lake and i had no desire to put it in there - was deeeeep ... was on big floaties and fair play it plowed through everything 'til the diffs couldn't doze any more out the way then had to grade to haul way a bit .... very sandy shite and soft as !!
was a great dumper and it never got stuck once .. unlike the 3t jake that replaced it later in the job - stuck first time down the haul and a real temperamental starter ( 3 hrs on the clock when it arrived)

 

[6feetdown]

Personally I think they’re a bit unnecessary on a dumper unless you are using it all the time muckshifting etc.The majority of smaller works usually involve a lot of on and off type stuff.
Also you make a labourer too comfortable on a dumper prising them off it gets even more of a challenge!
I agree the new gate things look a right pain though.

Agree not driven 1 but if an op was on one at least a few hours a day worth it

 

[Smiffy]

Agree not driven 1 but if an op was on one at least a few hours a day worth it

They become like everything else though that you want a dedicated driver for it so it doesn't get trashed. Traditionally dumpers are ragged to death by a multitude of labourers that can can barely drive a wheelbarrow

 

[V8Druid]

They become like everything else though that you want a dedicated driver for it so it doesn't get trashed. Traditionally dumpers are ragged to death by a multitude of labourers that can can barely drive a wheelbarrow

time for accountability then
that WN I spent months on went back cleaner than it arrived

 

[Smiffy]

time for accountability then
that WN I spent months on went back cleaner than it arrived

Reality is you wouldn't have any dumper drivers. If you hold accountable they would all be sacked by tea break. I know it's a bit different for people on here. The standard of site workers in this country is pretty dire.