Mini with extendahoe???

[MSC]

In the spring, I'm going to get a new mini excavator.
Maybe I am losing my mind, but I think I read somewhere that an extendahoe was available as an option.
I don't remember which manufacturer it was.
Can you guys help me out on this, or was I dreaming?

Thanks in advance.

Rich

[digger242j]

I ran a Thomas once that had an extendable dipper, but it doesn't seem as if they're offering it these days.

Thomas website (http://www.thomas-equipment.com/products.shtml)

[Tigerotor77W]

Bobcat makes the 331E with an extendable stick.
http://www.bobcat.com/products/item.view.html?itemId=5189


There may be aftermarket parts out there as well...

[xkvator]

Rich
just my opinion...but if you need the extra depth/reach, get a little bigger machine. the extendahoe option adds some weight that causes the machine to tip easier over the side.
I demo'd the 331...334...331E - same machines with different dipper - and bought the 331. there just isn't enough digging power with the longer dipper on that machine...IMO.
besides bobcat, i've seen a takeuchi with an e-hoe, but i don't think they offer it anymore.
depending on what your digging, an e-hoe might work for you - i know a plumber that had one and the 2' extra reach helped him around buildings.
best thing to do is demo them when you're ready to buy.

[CascadeScaper]

One thing to remember, you won't be able to fit a hydraulic thumb on a machine with the extendable stick.

[xkvator]

One thing to remember, you won't be able to fit a hydraulic thumb on a machine with the extendable stick.
...and the hyd. thumb is a MUST HAVE

[MSC]

The hyd thumb isn't a necessity for me.
I have a mechanical thumb on my PC-40 and think if you have the right bucket on the machine, with long enough shanks, you can handle a pretty big stump or rock without even using the thumb.

If I fold down the thumb on it once a week that's a lot.

I would rather have the extendahoe or an extra long stick to load stuff into a 10 wheeler or dump trailer.

Rich

[badranman]

I have both the extended stick and hydraulic thumbs on both of my minis. To take away my thumbs would be an invitation for a fight. :guns

[Electra_Glide]

Bobcat makes the 331E with an extendable stick.
http://www.bobcat.com/products/item.view.html?itemId=5189


There may be aftermarket parts out there as well...
The local Bobcat sales rep told me they would be offering the extendahoe on the 430 as well. I think the 430 is a little more "tippy" than the 331, and based on what Xkvator said about the extendahoe, I don't know how well it would work out.

Of course, you can't always trust everything the sales guy tells you...


Joe

[Nac]

Komatsu website says that the pc40-50 has the option of standard or long stick and exdenable stick option coming soon

[Tigerotor77W]

The local Bobcat sales rep told me they would be offering the extendahoe on the 430 as well. I think the 430 is a little more "tippy" than the 331, and based on what Xkvator said about the extendahoe, I don't know how well it would work out.

Of course, you can't always trust everything the sales guy tells you...


Joe

Interesting! Wonder if that one will be a seller.

[badranman]

Yeah I was talking with my sales guy today too and he also mentioned the 430 having an extended arm option now. Somehow the breakout was more with the extension though. Thinking of upgrading our 328 to a 430 to match the '03 430 we have now. Only problem is you can't get a thumb with the extended stick and you know how I feel about my thumbs! :)

[badranman]

In my above post I was refering to the extenable stick not the extra long arm kit.

[Bob Horrell]

I used a 430 the other day on an excavating job and really liked it. It is about the same as a 331 only a zero tailswing. The tracks are further apart so it should be less tippy than the 331. It has been so long since I operated a 331 I couldn't tell you what difference there was. It was just a lot more tippy than my backhoe I am used to.

[atgreene]

I've got a Takeuchi 135. I load my truck (Topkick) all the time and dig out of the body, no problem. Large stumps (6' + root ball) sometimes are a problem, unless you drop the tailgate. Most manufacturers offer extended booms as an option at purchase time. I think for mine it would have given me 1' or so, but greatly reduced my lift. As far as a thumb, it's only 1/2 a machine without it IMO. For what I do, I use the thumb non-stop. I understand folks who don't have one, but most that have tried a good hydraulic one, will never work without one.

[CascadeScaper]

Around here, every excavator from 2 tons all the way up to 30 tons have thumbs, you're limiting yourself severely without one.

[MultiFunction]

I have both the extended stick and hydraulic thumbs on both of my minis. To take away my thumbs would be an invitation for a fight. :guns


U mean u have and extendahoe with a hydraulic thumb?

[badranman]

I meant the extra long arm with hydraulic thumb. This option adds 12 inches to the standard arm.

[Lance Carbuncle]

Ok.... I am sold on getting a thumb after reading this thread. I have a PC35R-8 .... Any favorites out there as far as manufacturers and models of hydraulic thumbs. I currently have a C&P Quick Hitch (Wain Roy) on my machine, so don't know if a pin on type would work.... Pin on.... weld on... whats the way to go? What about Progressive link (http://www.cpattachments.com/products_details.asp?Product_Id=707) type...

Thanks, Lance

[atgreene]

Mine is a M C Faulkner pin on. My first one on my prior machine was also an MC, but weld on. I prefer the weld on, it has a larger opening. Just seemed to handle larger material. Here's the link http://www.mcfaulkner.com/thumbs_hydraulic.asp

[KSSS]

IHI offers an extendaboom on its 35NX. Great excavators.