Embarrassing question from a newbie.

[hiluxman]

Seems to have worked this time. No idea what I did differently ? Could only see a single rod from underneath, no cables.

They are none servo so definitely takes some getting used to. There will be ware in all the links.

So you can apportion some blame to that.

Very tidy looking 801.4.

 

[Bri963]

My tuppence worth, Stebbo, and some on here will say it’s crude, but as a long time operator of knackered small machines and owner of one getting-knackered small machine, there’s some good advice on here which works a treat with new machines with sod all wear on the bushes and pins. This is aimed at a gentleman who’s even older that Druid and not a professional operator.

However, if you’ve got wear for a start, put the bucket down flat on the ground to take up the slack, start to bring the stick in (l/h) until You feel the front of the machine trying to lift, then bring the r/h lever back a touch, just enough so the machine doesn’t lift. Try to keep the bucket level as you do so and you’ll magically have levelled your ground. It’s all about keeping a bit of weight on the bottom of the bucket. Other peoples mileage may vary, but it’s worked for me on some machines that frankly should have been cut up for scrap or sold to Rory to use for another ten years.

Or, as Rory said, use the blade.

(PS I do operate new machines as well, just not like this)

 

[V8Druid]

My tuppence worth, Stebbo, and some on here will say it’s crude, but as a long time operator of knackered small machines and owner of one getting-knackered small machine, there’s some good advice on here which works a treat with new machines with sod all wear on the bushes and pins. This is aimed at a gentleman who’s even older than Druid and not a professional operator.

However, if you’ve got wear for a start, put the bucket down flat on the ground to take up the slack, start to bring the stick in (l/h) until You feel the front of the machine trying to lift, then bring the r/h lever back a touch, just enough so the machine doesn’t lift. Try to keep the bucket level as you do so and you’ll magically have levelled your ground. It’s all about keeping a bit of weight on the bottom of the bucket. Other peoples mileage may vary, but it’s worked for me on some machines that frankly should have been cut up for scrap or sold to Rory to use for another ten years.

Or, as Rory said, use the blade.

(PS I do operate new machines as well, just not like this)

hope I'm still 'playing' when I'm 74 too

 

[Stebbo]

So cables then ? If so how do I get to oil them ? I couldn’t see anything resembling a cable, just the single rod. It’s good to know I’m no totally to blame. Following Smiffy’s thread to the letter I realised I’d been trying to do too many movements at the same time. Operating one at a time it became much more controllable and easier to ‘feel’ what was happening.
As for using the blade. I tried that but only forwards and because the infilled ground was so soft, ‘cos I’d over dug, it just dug in. But I will try it backwards.
Thanks for the continued help and suggestions.

 

[Stebbo]

Can’t type fast enough to keep up with the replies. Great advice Bri. Slowly getting to appreciate the ‘feel’. I find the right leaver a little severe but hey it’s still better than a shovel and I know I’ll eventually get the better of it.

 

[craig]

Give the machine enough revs to work correctly, some people knock the revs right off thinking slower will help, but can have the opposite effect, in the machine hasn't got enough hydraulic flow to work 2 or 3 services together, and becomes jerky. listen for the hiss as you first move the levers, smaller gentle movement in the levers at higher revs will give better results than big movements at low revs.

 

[doobin]

hope I'm still 'playing' when I'm 74 too

We'll check back this time next year

 

[Stebbo]

Thanks Craig, I thought I’d found a ‘sweet spot’ just above tick over but the extra revs/hydraulic flow makes sense. I’ll give it a little more uummph next time I use it.