Ive got one! Only used it once, not really got on with it. Ill give it another go and do a video on my thoughts on them - particularly on the smaller machines.
Yes, I would certainly have another 8026 at the top of my list, and it would take a lot to get me away from one. But that's not to say I wouldn't have a good look at the Kubota KX27 which wasn't out when I bought my 8026. I have a Kubota dealer fairly local and subject to it driving well and the price being competitive, it would be a tough call between those two I think for me.
are you going to get a grading beam? I've been thinking about getting a tilt rotator when I replace my cat 303.5e next for the same size machine but with a short stick as i have a long stick atm. I'd be keen to see what a grading beam is like on that size digger.
I actually have one, but have only used it once, I really must give it a go again, as didn't really get on with it the first time. The Cat 303.5 will put you on a slightly bigger tiltrotator than me which is a bit heavier, but your bigger machine should cope with it fine. You might even be able to run a gripper which is something I would love to have, but under 3t the unit is just too heavy for it. Grading beam wise, I struggled to work it well with the limited reach of a smaller machine. On a 13t - I can totally see why people would use one, but you just don't have much reach on a 3t and your working area is vastly reduced. We also don't have the weight that a 13t has and the stone tends to "fight back" at the machine, meaning keeping the grade is quite hard work as the machine has a tendency to move rather than the stone. Ill dig my grading beam out of the weeds and do a video on it to explain my thoughts.
@@Olliegunns Very interesting thanks for the reply. I guess the slew power is probably the limiting factor on the small machines. I didn't think about the reach but thats a good point. I don't know if I'd put a tilt rotator on the a 303.5 because it being a complete swing machine its already quite tippy with just a 100kg tilt hitch on it. I'd probably look at another better balanced machine. If you do get a chance to have a go of the grading beam and could do a little vid of it and you're thoughts id be very interested. Love your vids keep up the good work. Cheers from Australia
Thanks for your video's! Very interesting to hear about your experience on the tiltrotator. I am working with a kubota kx027-4 with a powertilt from cangini and I am thinking about upgrading to a tiltrotator. I am still hesitating because I think It may break or the arm be to long and heavy. I am looking at stealwrist and engcom. My work is mainly building mtb singletracks where I have to brake lots of three roots and move sand. Would you recommend me going for a tilt rotator? Thanks Dan
Hi Daniel, I'm a fellow mountain bike rider too so understand exactly what you are working on. You wont break the tiltrotator, have you seen how the Swedish dig with them in rock?!! I have given mine some hard work and its not showing any signs of weakness. The issues I have had haven't been anything to do with the way I drive it either - just teething issues I guess. That Kubota KX27 is a good machine and will be on my shortlist come replacement time for the JCB. You are right to be concerned with weight though, I would either go Engcon EC02 or Rototilt R1 both on S30 on a sub 3t machine. The S40 Steelwrist and Engcon offerings are just a bit too heavy for us and those who have gone that route have regretted it slightly. As for what it will do for your kind of work, you wont have to sit square to a berm to shape it, keeping the machine off or on the track as required. They are fantastic for that kind of situation. You will have to let me know where you are so I can come ride there someday!
Hai Ollie, I am at the point of contacting one of the brands you recommended me, I see that the engcon ec02b is for a machine of a maximum weight of 2.5 ton. Did Engcon suggest going for a size bigger tiltrotator? The rotorilt r1 has a wider range of weight up until 3.5 ton. I hope you have some tips for me. Thanks Dan
@@wijsmuller1987 Hi Dan, yes the rototilt covers a wider range but I would make sure you ask for a price on the S30 size of buckets as S40 is too big and heavy in my opinion for your machine. The EC02 only comes in S30. Engcon did try talking me down the larger EC204, but its a much bigger unit and weighs nearly 40kg more alone. And it would be S40 which as I said with the Rototilt - is too much for your 2.7t digger. Engcon should warrant the EC02 on your machine, they do in the UK, and with a tiltrotator, its better to fit the smallest tiltrotator you can to the biggest machine. This way you dont suffer from the reduction in breakout force as much, or the weight. The machine bosses the tiltrotator around. Any other questions, please feel free to message me. I can only give my own opinion and I dont know exactly your type of work obviously, but I can give you my experience of running one on this class of excavator.
@@Olliegunns Thanks for your fast reply again. Engcon explained that if I go for the 204 with direct mount it would only be 13kg heavier with s40 and 8 cm shorter build up. I don't see why they want to sell me the 204 so badly instead of the ec02, because with the ec02 direct mounted it would be even lighter. Maybe I'll send Engcon Sweden a mail with my concern about the weight of the 204 on my machine. Thanks Dan
@@wijsmuller1987 You are right to be concerned Dan. The tiltrotator may only be 13kg heavier, but the S40 buckets are too big, and also heavier. Every kg counts on these small machines, stick to your guns, I had to push them to go EC02 on mine and I'm very glad I did.
Hi Keri, in short, no its not, but you have to spec them right on these smaller machines, as your margin for excess weight is much tighter. I think I covered my thinking process on how I spec'd my tiltrotator in another video on my channel called "Deciding on a tiltrotator setup for my JCB 8026 Mini Digger". But if you have any further questions, please feel free to message me and Ill try to help where I can.
Good informative videos man,. Fair play to you. I often wondered,Why you don't have a bigger machine? Say an 8 tonner or so? A lot of your jobs seem to warrant a bigger machine. Do you not get stuck with the lifting capacity of the 8026 on a lot of jobs? Or hard/ shaley ground jobs,must be fierce slow digging with the 8026? I'm just curious as I'm a seasoned operator myself and am looking at buying my first machine, and I'm not sure weather to buy an 2.5 ton,an 8 ton,or a 13 tonne. I guess they all have there benefits. I suppose the biggest benefit of the 8026 is you can transport it yourself,fuel consumption and get in smaller access? I'm a huge fan of the tilt rotator. Need a bit of work lined up before thinking a buying one though 😄
So many things to cover here, thanks for your comment. Firstly, I really should run a 5/6t machine. I think an 8 would be a bit too big for the kind of work I do but the modern 5/6t machines are pretty much mini 8's now anyway. Same bucket size, not far off in lift capacity either but a better footprint. 8t's aren't really 8's anymore anyway - they all weigh north of 9t plus now! The reason I don't have one is mainly because of transport (we can only tow a max of 3.5t in the UK) and secondly - and maybe more importantly - the rate isn't any higher for the bigger machine. On price work, it might dig a bit quicker for me, but I'd have to factor in transport cost, and waiting time for it to arrive on the first day! With the 8026, I can be in control of when I start digging, and its been a really good machine for me, digs hard and is nice and fast. I am lucky that in the south of England, we don't have rock down here, mainly clay, ballast, chalk and sand - so not often too hard to dig. Would be totally different story if the ground was tougher. The sad reality of running plant is that the most profitable machines to own are a 0.8t micro digger and a track barrow. The rate you get for the investment outlay cannot be matched on any other size of machine. But its not where our hearts are at, as lovers of machinery - its all about the big kit! I know someone with a 13t machine, with tiltrotator and Idig who goes out for the same money I do with the 2.8t. It just doesn't make sense to me to run a bigger machine if the money isn't there for it. Work out what others charge in your area and run the numbers yourself. Your situation might be different to mine but that's some of the reasons I stick with the 8026. Do your research and good luck if you decide to become an owner operator. Its been the best thing I've ever done and THE hardest thing too for sure. Plenty of days I wonder why I don't just drive for someone else, but when its going well, I wouldn't change it for the world!
the piston doesn't look lined up with the hole where it broke could be nothing i don't know love your videos very helpful thank you stay safe
Get a grading beam Ollie , so much quicker fir jobs like that.
Ive got one! Only used it once, not really got on with it. Ill give it another go and do a video on my thoughts on them - particularly on the smaller machines.
Great vids been watching all day, how much does the 8026 weigh with the engcon ( how you transport it ) cheers mate
It’s just towable with a lightweight trailer but you can’t have any buckets with you on the trailer as well.
Hi. What is that flickering transparent piece of plastic mounted on your lower windshield? It's some sort of leveling gadget? Thanks
Its part of my Idig grade system that uses led's to tell me if I'm on grade or how far off I am.
@@Olliegunns yes thanks for your answer. Meanwhile I've watched all of your videos about the Idig.
Great video Ollie, are you happy with the 8026? Would you go back to JCB when the time comes?
Yes, I would certainly have another 8026 at the top of my list, and it would take a lot to get me away from one. But that's not to say I wouldn't have a good look at the Kubota KX27 which wasn't out when I bought my 8026. I have a Kubota dealer fairly local and subject to it driving well and the price being competitive, it would be a tough call between those two I think for me.
@@Olliegunns Try out the Yanmar SV26 :)
are you going to get a grading beam?
I've been thinking about getting a tilt rotator when I replace my cat 303.5e next for the same size machine but with a short stick as i have a long stick atm. I'd be keen to see what a grading beam is like on that size digger.
I actually have one, but have only used it once, I really must give it a go again, as didn't really get on with it the first time. The Cat 303.5 will put you on a slightly bigger tiltrotator than me which is a bit heavier, but your bigger machine should cope with it fine. You might even be able to run a gripper which is something I would love to have, but under 3t the unit is just too heavy for it.
Grading beam wise, I struggled to work it well with the limited reach of a smaller machine. On a 13t - I can totally see why people would use one, but you just don't have much reach on a 3t and your working area is vastly reduced. We also don't have the weight that a 13t has and the stone tends to "fight back" at the machine, meaning keeping the grade is quite hard work as the machine has a tendency to move rather than the stone. Ill dig my grading beam out of the weeds and do a video on it to explain my thoughts.
@@Olliegunns
Very interesting thanks for the reply.
I guess the slew power is probably the limiting factor on the small machines. I didn't think about the reach but thats a good point.
I don't know if I'd put a tilt rotator on the a 303.5 because it being a complete swing machine its already quite tippy with just a 100kg tilt hitch on it.
I'd probably look at another better balanced machine.
If you do get a chance to have a go of the grading beam and could do a little vid of it and you're thoughts id be very interested.
Love your vids keep up the good work.
Cheers from Australia
Thanks for your video's! Very interesting to hear about your experience on the tiltrotator. I am working with a kubota kx027-4 with a powertilt from cangini and I am thinking about upgrading to a tiltrotator. I am still hesitating because I think It may break or the arm be to long and heavy. I am looking at stealwrist and engcom. My work is mainly building mtb singletracks where I have to brake lots of three roots and move sand. Would you recommend me going for a tilt rotator? Thanks Dan
Hi Daniel, I'm a fellow mountain bike rider too so understand exactly what you are working on. You wont break the tiltrotator, have you seen how the Swedish dig with them in rock?!! I have given mine some hard work and its not showing any signs of weakness. The issues I have had haven't been anything to do with the way I drive it either - just teething issues I guess. That Kubota KX27 is a good machine and will be on my shortlist come replacement time for the JCB. You are right to be concerned with weight though, I would either go Engcon EC02 or Rototilt R1 both on S30 on a sub 3t machine. The S40 Steelwrist and Engcon offerings are just a bit too heavy for us and those who have gone that route have regretted it slightly. As for what it will do for your kind of work, you wont have to sit square to a berm to shape it, keeping the machine off or on the track as required. They are fantastic for that kind of situation. You will have to let me know where you are so I can come ride there someday!
Hai Ollie, I am at the point of contacting one of the brands you recommended me, I see that the engcon ec02b is for a machine of a maximum weight of 2.5 ton. Did Engcon suggest going for a size bigger tiltrotator? The rotorilt r1 has a wider range of weight up until 3.5 ton. I hope you have some tips for me.
Thanks Dan
@@wijsmuller1987 Hi Dan, yes the rototilt covers a wider range but I would make sure you ask for a price on the S30 size of buckets as S40 is too big and heavy in my opinion for your machine. The EC02 only comes in S30. Engcon did try talking me down the larger EC204, but its a much bigger unit and weighs nearly 40kg more alone. And it would be S40 which as I said with the Rototilt - is too much for your 2.7t digger. Engcon should warrant the EC02 on your machine, they do in the UK, and with a tiltrotator, its better to fit the smallest tiltrotator you can to the biggest machine. This way you dont suffer from the reduction in breakout force as much, or the weight. The machine bosses the tiltrotator around. Any other questions, please feel free to message me. I can only give my own opinion and I dont know exactly your type of work obviously, but I can give you my experience of running one on this class of excavator.
@@Olliegunns Thanks for your fast reply again. Engcon explained that if I go for the 204 with direct mount it would only be 13kg heavier with s40 and 8 cm shorter build up. I don't see why they want to sell me the 204 so badly instead of the ec02, because with the ec02 direct mounted it would be even lighter. Maybe I'll send Engcon Sweden a mail with my concern about the weight of the 204 on my machine. Thanks Dan
@@wijsmuller1987 You are right to be concerned Dan. The tiltrotator may only be 13kg heavier, but the S40 buckets are too big, and also heavier. Every kg counts on these small machines, stick to your guns, I had to push them to go EC02 on mine and I'm very glad I did.
Great video love your channel
Nice video as always
Thanks, I dont have the stunning scenery you have in your videos though!
Just wondered if that tilt is too heavy on it ?
Hi Keri, in short, no its not, but you have to spec them right on these smaller machines, as your margin for excess weight is much tighter. I think I covered my thinking process on how I spec'd my tiltrotator in another video on my channel called "Deciding on a tiltrotator setup for my JCB 8026 Mini Digger". But if you have any further questions, please feel free to message me and Ill try to help where I can.
Nice video Thanks
Thanks Darran, just trying to show people how it is to run this gear so you can make an informed decision on one for your business.
@@Olliegunns Thanks Ollie
Good informative videos man,. Fair play to you.
I often wondered,Why you don't have a bigger machine? Say an 8 tonner or so? A lot of your jobs seem to warrant a bigger machine. Do you not get stuck with the lifting capacity of the 8026 on a lot of jobs? Or hard/ shaley ground jobs,must be fierce slow digging with the 8026?
I'm just curious as I'm a seasoned operator myself and am looking at buying my first machine, and I'm not sure weather to buy an 2.5 ton,an 8 ton,or a 13 tonne. I guess they all have there benefits.
I suppose the biggest benefit of the 8026 is you can transport it yourself,fuel consumption and get in smaller access? I'm a huge fan of the tilt rotator. Need a bit of work lined up before thinking a buying one though 😄
So many things to cover here, thanks for your comment. Firstly, I really should run a 5/6t machine. I think an 8 would be a bit too big for the kind of work I do but the modern 5/6t machines are pretty much mini 8's now anyway. Same bucket size, not far off in lift capacity either but a better footprint. 8t's aren't really 8's anymore anyway - they all weigh north of 9t plus now!
The reason I don't have one is mainly because of transport (we can only tow a max of 3.5t in the UK) and secondly - and maybe more importantly - the rate isn't any higher for the bigger machine. On price work, it might dig a bit quicker for me, but I'd have to factor in transport cost, and waiting time for it to arrive on the first day! With the 8026, I can be in control of when I start digging, and its been a really good machine for me, digs hard and is nice and fast. I am lucky that in the south of England, we don't have rock down here, mainly clay, ballast, chalk and sand - so not often too hard to dig. Would be totally different story if the ground was tougher.
The sad reality of running plant is that the most profitable machines to own are a 0.8t micro digger and a track barrow. The rate you get for the investment outlay cannot be matched on any other size of machine. But its not where our hearts are at, as lovers of machinery - its all about the big kit! I know someone with a 13t machine, with tiltrotator and Idig who goes out for the same money I do with the 2.8t. It just doesn't make sense to me to run a bigger machine if the money isn't there for it. Work out what others charge in your area and run the numbers yourself. Your situation might be different to mine but that's some of the reasons I stick with the 8026. Do your research and good luck if you decide to become an owner operator. Its been the best thing I've ever done and THE hardest thing too for sure. Plenty of days I wonder why I don't just drive for someone else, but when its going well, I wouldn't change it for the world!