Hitch ponder.

[Storrsy]

So I think I'm going to go for a Volvo EC20E to replace my 216. I'm really not sure what to do about hitch though. I think this would be the logical time to have an S30 hitch on? Where is a good place to buy these from would anyone suggest?
It will be a manual hitch which I'm absolutely fine with on this machine as I probably only change attachments once a day. It does have 4pipe auxs so might put a rotating grab on if poss and think S30 will reduce the stack height.
Seems annoying that I'm going to have to convert all attachments over to S30 but is it easy enough to get the top hats hitch brackets to convert?
Is it as simple as just S30 or is there different width sizes to consider?

 

[doobin]

So I think I'm going to go for a Volvo EC20E to replace my 216. I'm really not sure what to do about hitch though. I think this would be the logical time to have an S30 hitch on? Where is a good place to buy these from would anyone suggest?
It will be a manual hitch which I'm absolutely fine with on this machine as I probably only change attachments once a day. It does have 4pipe auxs so might put a rotating grab on if poss and think S30 will reduce the stack height.
Seems annoying that I'm going to have to convert all attachments over to S30 but is it easy enough to get the top hats hitch brackets to convert?
Is it as simple as just S30 or is there different width sizes to consider?

Two widths but you may as well go s30-180 as this is much more common and the 2.8t will use it too.

You will be amazed how much s30 will reduce the stack height. But the main benefit is the geometry. It blew my mind the first time I used it on such a simply job- take a full bucket of stone from a stockpile at full reach and then place it in a dumper that I honestly though I’d parked far too close. Really made me realise just how s**t the UK standard quick hitches are.

Attachment conversion is not always easy. A lot of measuring, plasma cutting and welding required on the buckets to get the angles right. So much so that I just bought a new set of 1.9t buckets. The 2.8t buckets were flatter top though, so they were simpler but I think most of them went with the old e27. Both you and I do so little ‘footings’ digging work that it may just be a case of buying the width required in s30 as a job comes up.

It’s easy enough to make up bolt on top plates if you buy the s30 cheek profiles with pins. You’ll need to have a mag drill and be good at marking out (with a die grinder for when it doesn’t quite fit!)

Basically, don’t underestimate it, but don’t let it put you off as you will reap the benefits.

Having just been though this- bite the bullet and do the 2.8ton at the same time.

 

[Storrsy]

Two widths but you may as well go s30-180 as this is much more common and the 2.8t will use it too.

You will be amazed how much s30 will reduce the stack height.

Attachment conversion is not always easy. A lot of measuring, plasma cutting and welding required on the buckets to get the angles right. Easy enough on things requiring bolt on top plates however. Don’t underestimate it, but don’t let it put you off as you will reap the benefits.

Having just been though this- bite the bullet and do the 2.8ton at the same time.

Ideal. Yes that's my thinking to get the 2.8t on it too. Id buy a new grab anyway so that's one less to do. Did envisage converting buckets anyway tbh. Mainly just auger/postknocker etc so not too bad.
What make is your hitch Doob?

 

[doobin]

Ideal. Yes that's my thinking to get the 2.8t on it too. Id buy a new grab anyway so that's one less to do. Did envisage converting buckets anyway tbh. Mainly just auger/postknocker etc so not too bad.
What make is your hitch Doob?

You can probably get a genuine brand hitch for the Volvo. I really rate my steelwrist one, it’s a work of art and even came with expander pins.

Reread my first post as I’ve added a lot of info.

The 2.8t will probably have to be custom made- tilty manufacturers will only do s40 for this size. @CPS made me a very low profile hitch for my e27 which eventually arrived. Maybe get it ordered now if you’re thinking about doing it!

Photo of old e27 hitch vs s30. I’ve gone from about as bad as it could be to as good as it could be! And photo of the steelwrist on the e19.

 

[DaveDCB]

Yep try Aiden @CPS , I think Engcon do a manual version too, but it’s not as small a build height as aidens version I’m sure!

 

[Storrsy]

So S30 is definitely worth doing then even if I'm not planning one ever running a tilty off it? Also does anyone know how the manual ones engage- is it a spring/lever arrangement?

 

[DaveDCB]

Yes 100% go S-type! Without hesitation I’d always have S-type on any size machine tilty or not!

 

[doobin]

So S30 is definitely worth doing then even if I'm not planning one ever running a tilty off it? Also does anyone know how the manual ones engage- is it a spring/lever arrangement?

Yeah, spring and a lever- pull lever to unlock, think it auto locks when you crowd.

I'm trying to tell myself I use the mico enough to change it over too with a manual hitch and set of buckets. That's the sort of machine that would really benefit from S30.

 

[DaveDCB]

This is the height of Engcon S40 top hitch… which is probably the highest of them all, I’d get a steelwrist one next time & just sell this hitch with the machine.

 

[Furniss]

Ditto

 

[Left hooker]

Unless you have ec oil and need the qs hitch

 

[DaveDCB]

Unless you have ec oil and need the qs hitch

Which I won’t, can’t be buying a new tilty for fun and games anymore! Will just get a full rebuild!

 

[JD450A]

Which I won’t, can’t be buying a new tilty for fun and games anymore! Will just get a full rebuild!

Best money you will spend these tiltrotators, they pay for themselves.

 

[V8Druid]

This is the height of Engcon S40 top hitch… which is probably the highest of them all, I’d get a steelwrist one next time & just sell this hitch with the machine.View attachment 60409

same sort of scale as my Miller PUP .. the gain there is on the bucket cheek's low profile

 

[doobin]

Best money you will spend these tiltrotators, they pay for themselves.

The manufacturers are fking sick

They get you addicted and you just can't quit.. seriously! Everyone says they wouldn't buy another one at current prices, but I bet they won't sell their old one at inflated secondhand prices either

Needs a reasonably priced entry level unit.

 

[Furniss]

The manufacturers are fking sick

They get you addicted and you just can't quit.. seriously! Everyone says they wouldn't buy another one at current prices, but I bet they won't sell their old one at inflated secondhand prices either

Needs a reasonably priced entry level unit.

I wouldn't take it off and go back to std for 20k ....not on my main machine.

 

[Storrsy]

These S30 hitches look incredibly basic to me- they're not patented so why are so few manufacturers offering them if they're so much better over a regular hitch.

 

[JD450A]

Probably because buying a entire new set of buckets for minimal gains doesn't appeal to most.

 

[Storrsy]

Probably because buying a entire new set of buckets for minimal gains doesn't appeal to most.

Yeah fair point but thinking all the new machines being sold where you're buying a new set of bouquets anyway

 

[doobin]

These S30 hitches look incredibly basic to me- they're not patented so why are so few manufacturers offering them if they're so much better over a regular hitch.

Because the British plant market is by and large thick as s**t and set in their ways.

I’ve yet to meet a salesman who has ever done a full shift to a reasonable standard on any machine they sell.