Hydradig

[fred]

Saw one when looking at a MT1030 in the yard had quick sit in the cab. Seems to be a telehandler base with a digger on top. Supposedly can lift a ton a full stretch 360.

I like the visibility you can see all 4 wheels and no overhang. Worrying amount of buttons/switches and knobs to keep working...

Anyone had a play ? What they like on site ?

Quite a lot of 3 year old ones starting to appear.

 

[GazCro]

Not had any experience my self but have heard a few 2nd/3rd hand opinions. Electro hydraulic controls as opposed to pilot are meant to be a bit lacking in feel but you'd probably get used to it. Depending on position exhaust can blow into cab through open door. There a good concept but i don't think their quite the re-invention of the wheel jcb would like you to believe. I think at the cost they are you would need to have a lot of work to suit one. A tracked 8 ton for off road work is much better value imho unless you have the need for something much more mobile.

 

[JD450A]

Depending on position exhaust can blow into cab through open door.

I think if I had to drive one i'd be finding that position pretty quickly..... although it probably wouldn't work with JCB's engine as in fairness that's one thing they do very well!

 

[GazCro]

I think if I had to drive one i'd be finding that position pretty quickly..... although it probably wouldn't work with JCB's engine as in fairness that's one thing they do very well!

Not a hydrapig fan then

 

[JD450A]

Not a hydrapig fan then

No. They are a fantastically designed tool, on paper the ZTS element weight distribution and similar leads to a awesome spec. Reality wise I don't think there would be as many around if not for JCB's finance package, and sadly the finish (as with all JCB's) seems to lack the final bit of care and attention which leads to bits falling off paint flaking etc The Electric controls also are like marmite.

Which is a shame.

 

[GazCro]

No. They are a fantastically designed tool, on paper the ZTS element weight distribution and similar leads to a awesome spec. Reality wise I don't think there would be as many around if not for JCB's finance package, and sadly the finish (as with all JCB's) seems to lack the final bit of care and attention which leads to bits falling off paint flaking etc The Electric controls also are like marmite.

Which is a shame.

Yeah the marketing is top notch sadly the machine is not. Little bit of inside info i got from a reliable source when designing the hydradig they got the main valve block designed and built by an outside company. They never let this company see the machine or told them oil flows required or anything like that just how many supplies they wanted. Hence i believe a lot of restrictors are fitted to make them controllable. I think this can now be done from the cab by the end user on the screen, but i don't think it helps the feel issue of the electric controls.

 

[Smiffy]

Be interesting to see how they compare up against the mecalac mcr's which must really be there closest rival and they look absolutely awesome machines especially the little 6t one

 

[GazCro]

Be interesting to see how they compare up against the mecalac mcr's which must really be there closest rival and they look absolutely awesome machines especially the little 6t one

Totally different machines mecalac is a different take on a tracked digger hydradig is variation of a duck. Local hire place near me has ran takeuchi 175 ducks on roadworks for a fair few years and i know had hydradig on test before they were even launched as part of there development. They may have bought one or two hydradigs (but I've never seen or heard of any) but they do run a number of newer takeuchi ducks, so that must say something.

 

[JD450A]

Be interesting to see how they compare up against the mecalac mcr's which must really be there closest rival and they look absolutely awesome machines especially the little 6t one

No comparison, Mecalacs will piss rings round a Pig, on all fronts. Reach, Power, Versatility, Exorbitant price etc. They are a true systems tool, and if you ever get a chance to have a go then do. Absolutely incredible machines that I love the thought of. The most modern rigid chassis wheeled variant is a direct competitor but with all the Mec's extras! Sadly price kills them as does the inconvenient reality that in the UK the abnormal machines are not profitable for hire thanks to clients that do not see further than the end of there nose. A Classic Mecalac (pivot steer engine at arse) is supposedly a cracking tool off road which is where most Ducks fall down.

Hydradig is a wheeled midi excavator, which has been tailored for the hiring majority. ZTS to eliminate a safety issue caused by counterbalance in the carriageway, and a higher road speed to compete with a 8t digger on a lorry which let's face it is it's main rival.

 

[Lancs Lad]

All interesting info...had a dim and distant notion once the law has changed of picking one up and kitting out as a nice standalone roading rig to piss about with . So much more grunt than mini but no faff of a truck...ah well when I retire in 50 years time I'll have one on my patch like druid and paint attachments all day long..

 

[JD450A]

All interesting info...had a dim and distant notion once the law has changed of picking one up and kitting out as a nice standalone roading rig to piss about with . So much more grunt than mini but no faff of a truck...ah well when I retire in 50 years time I'll have one on my patch like druid and paint attachments all day long..

Law on trucks is shifting mate. CPC is looking like it will be dropped for trucks used in rural areas for "own" work

 

[Smiffy]

Totally different machines mecalac is a different take on a tracked digger hydradig is variation of a duck. Local hire place near me has ran takeuchi 175 ducks on roadworks for a fair few years and i know had hydradig on test before they were even launched as part of there development. They may have bought one or two hydradigs (but I've never seen or heard of any) but they do run a number of newer takeuchi ducks, so that must say something.

I meant the wheeled variant which seem to be the only other custom designed duck rather than a tracked top half chucked on a chassis
All other ducks as far as I am aware are 2 wheel steer everything is in the upper section
Watching the tak ducks work next to the hydradigs on the M23 the taks looked slightly clumsy manoeuvring
I would love to have a go in one of the mecalac they look awesome especially on LA work where it's entirely from the road and relatively close to home

 

[V8Druid]

Be interesting to see how they compare up against the mecalac mcr's which must really be there closest rival and they look absolutely awesome machines especially the little 6t one

no contest apparently .... bye bye piggy

 

[Lancs Lad]

They do look like they are handy for road based stuff tbf...and I should know...I've spent far to much of my life sat on that s**t carpark known as the M6 smart motorway roadworks section..

 

[T whiting]

I'm loving my case duck which is about similar to a hydradig but they do t make them anymore I'd love a go on a 11t Mecalac when it comes to replacement time

 

[V8Druid]

I'm loving my case duck which is about similar to a hydradig but they do t make them anymore I'd love a go on a 11t Mecalac when it comes to replacement time

went to the Mec day in Warwick with Alex last year, or may have been late 2018 and had a play with their 7 mcr(?) duck style weapon ... very nice, but the reverse dipper ram set up is very restricted on reach and travel ....... ran out of motion pretty quick for grading with ... but a hell of a lifter for such a little tool .... I like the Mecs ...

 

[Furniss]

Popular over here obviously - saw a little tracked one for sale over here the other day for 120K€ - talk among the lads over here is they are a bit fragile

 

[doobin]

£120k and they are fragile?? Wouldn't have expected that.

 

[JD450A]

£120k and they are fragile?? Wouldn't have expected that.

Can't be fragile.... I drove one at plantworx and it did'nt die.... as we know I can render most things inoperable within minutes.

 

[GazCro]

To be fair french cars have always been a bit fragile. Specialist machine with a Specialist price tag and probably no better at digging a hole than something half the price.