JCB hdt5 ‘25 or Cormidi C55 ‘23

[Tomo]

Hi all,

Looking to get a high lift tracked dumper for building work.

I’ve narrowed it down to a new jcb with 0% finance and 2 year warranty or a Cormidi c55 brand new ‘23 1 year warranty on parts only. Both are similar money.

Jcb Positives
0% finance
2 year warranty
Very local dealer

Negatives
Heard the tracking isn’t the best?
Heard of broken tracking gear?

Cormidi positives
‘23 new model going a lot cheaper than a new ‘25 one
Tracking is meant to be good?

Negatives
Tipper doesn’t tip enough so stuff can get stuck?

These two are significantly cheaper options than a slanetrac and they are both shorter at approx. 1700mm rather than the slanetrac at 1900mm which will suit me.

Has anyone had experience with the new jcb hdt5 and its ability to track and turn fully loaded? Any thoughts welcome.

Many thanks!

 

[Brendan]

I've got an old 2017 and my mate has a 2022ish model with the different track motors and a horn, he hasn't got the step but it's an expensive option.
Not too sure if it's any better turning with a full load not had them head to head but don't believe it's drastically better, from what he was saying and the few times I've used it not really noticed any real difference.
Generally better off throwing down a bit of OSB at turning points not only makes it easier to turn but saves tearing up the ground.
Tipping is excellent on the htd5 very rare anything stays in, just tends to be very sticky crap but most of it will still clear

Not tried the cormidi 55 but got an old c50 which is rated for 500kg but noticeably holds less material, mine is a bit swings and roundabouts the engine over revs so it is fast (1st gear slightly slower than the htd5's 2nd but is a bit skittish, but turns really well) tipping is crap might be an age thing but needs full revs to lift at a decent speed and the final angle it tips to isn't enough to always clear the material and thats pretty much every material bar gravel.

Latest htd5 is as far as I can tell has the same lombardini engine just with Kohler stickers, although thinking about it there might be a couple of small bolt on bits that are different, fuel tank isn't massive but normally lasts a whole day with it idling between loads.

the cormidi will more than likely be petrol so will drink fuel

In my limited experience of other manufacturers the backup of JCB, is second to none. Any issues and they are out next day (sometimes the same) to diagnose and repairs are generally the next day or even the same if it's something they have on the van

 

[Weaknee]

Id persoanlly buy a jcb as cormidi you have to scrape the muck out as doesnt tip far enough which becomes a real pain also if other people use them they tend to shake the life out of the machine also jcb is diesel so if using with a digger you only need to bring one type of fuel plus when a track comes off the cormidi it is a nightmare getting it back on

 

[Tomo]

Thanks both for taking the time, that's some great info!

I agree with muck getting stuck being a pain. I hired a c&f tracked dumper and although I don't know if it tipped as far as a cormidi or not, I was frequently having to rattle it death or ease it out with a spade. It did track quite fast if a little skittish! the scissor lift also made it pretty high if you ever wanted to handball blocks or something in and out of it.
I like the design of the jcb, it's seems lower to the ground than the c55. The c60 looks better form that point of view.

Although a diesel would be great I could live with petrol as the engines themselves are cheap are reliable and quieter I presume?

Has your Jcb been reliable Brendan? any quirks?

 

[Jimbo69]

I’ve got a Cormidi C55, it is better at tracking than the JCB but muck does get stuck in the skip. It’s 5 years old now and hasn’t been much bother, put a new throttle cable on a few months ago and new tracks, anything else it’s needed has been due to operator error. It’s due to be changed soon, what with, I’m still not sure.

 

[Tomo]

thanks Jimbo, that's good to hear. From a resale point of view the cormidi's seem to hold their value really well. I would be interested in knowing what you're considering next.

 

[Jimbo69]

thanks Jimbo, that's good to hear. From a resale point of view the cormidi's seem to hold their value really well. I would be interested in knowing what you're considering next.

It’s between the JCB and Cormidi. Probably leaning more towards the JCB, I haven’t priced one yet but I think they’re cheaper. Mine is hired out self-drive about 80% of the time so the electric start diesel is probably better for that, also the back up from JCB is good.

 

[Tomo]

I could do with knowing if the htd5 has enough tracking power on hills and ramps, it’ll end up having to pull itself up out of dug out areas and hilly sites.

 

[CPS]

Wouldn't be afraid of the JCB, i just sold one with the old track motors and it was sound.
Out of all the machines I don't think I ever put a spanner on it, although it didn't do much to be fair

 

[Tomo]

that's reassuring, do you know when they changed to the new track motors?

 

[DaveDCB]

I could do with knowing if the htd5 has enough tracking power on hills and ramps, it’ll end up having to pull itself up out of dug out areas and hilly sites.

No issue with the JCB either, they just like to dig themselves in when cornering in loose gravel etc, and jam up the tracks… but that happens to any tracked machine when giving them some stick!

 

[William127]

I've got a 2016 cormidi something, high tip, 2 speed tracking, GX160 engine.
Bought it second hand in February as a back up for the slanetrac.
Nice little machine, doesn't tip far enough really, tends to pack itself with mud on top of the hydraulic tank and doesn't have much ground clearance under the engine.
I've been using it this week as it fits through the gate on the job better than the slanetrac, but obviously with the reduced payload to match.
Overall £2400 well spent

 

[Brendan]

As said mine is 2017, it had an issue when new with not quite tracking right and JCB replaced the servo block.
I'll list all the faults. I know some are a bit petty but in the interest of saying everything...
Ignition on buzzer doesn't work, and hasn't for years, never bothered to sort as it just buzzed when the ignition was on and engine off.
An hydraulic hose that was rubbing on the frame
Pull start fell off, bolts must have rattled them selves lose and more a lombardini problem than JCB.
Had to adjust the accelerator cable lever as was dropping revs.
Starter motor, this was thanks to someone wedging the key in the start position
Track motor was replaced

Bare in mind, mine is around 8.5 years, it's still on its original tracks, battery and engine and it has literally shifted thousands of tons of material

 

[Tomo]

Thanks for the input!

I ended up going for a jcb. Not a new ‘25 but a 2nd hand ‘21 which is like new, no marks and all of original paint still in the skip. It was quite the saving from a new one so too hard to pass up. Did a dozen or so loads this arvo after picking it up and seems great, albeit not the fastest. Now it looks used...
I’ll have a look for potential hose rubbing, thanks
Think its a good buy and a great saving but only time will tell!

 

[Brendan]

Thanks for the input!

I ended up going for a jcb. Not a new ‘25 but a 2nd hand ‘21 which is like new, no marks and all of original paint still in the skip. It was quite the saving from a new one so too hard to pass up. Did a dozen or so loads this arvo after picking it up and seems great, albeit not the fastest. Now it looks used...
I’ll have a look for potential hose rubbing, thanks
Think its a good buy and a great saving but only time will tell!

Mine was the lower right hand track motor pipe, it was against the chassis, to be fair it was a few years before it went, track motors are different now and pipes might be routes slightly different but it's worth checking and easy enough to sort just loosen the fitting and twist the pipe.

 

[6feetdown]

Thanks for the input!

I ended up going for a jcb. Not a new ‘25 but a 2nd hand ‘21 which is like new, no marks and all of original paint still in the skip. It was quite the saving from a new one so too hard to pass up. Did a dozen or so loads this arvo after picking it up and seems great, albeit not the fastest. Now it looks used...
I’ll have a look for potential hose rubbing, thanks
Think its a good buy and a great saving but only time will tell!

How much are they new? Last time I looked i think we're around 7.5k plus vat

 

[Tomo]

I’ve been quoted £8350 although online the offer atm is £8250? I presume for the same machine and options but perhaps not. Plus vat.
There doesn’t seem much of a jump between 1st and 2nd speed?

 

[Tomo]

I should mention there was a 4 week lead time too for a new one.

Apparently the track motors were changed in April '20 and they'd had no issues since.

 

[Brendan]

I should mention there was a 4 week lead time too for a new one.

Apparently the track motors were changed in April '20 and they'd had no issues since.

Mine is slightly faster in 2nd but you get more turning power in first

 

[Tomo]

Update.

Having been continuously using it since getting picking it up I'm really pleased with it.
It feels solid and well built and a great design. The skip empties reliably. It's efficient on fuel the electric start is faultless, quite noisy but I guess that's the trade off with diesel. Cornering doesn't seem much of an issue atm either tbh.
Very pleased, thanks for the input