Is this excavator toast??

[Jimmy23]

Howdy--

A fellow is (was) doing some clearing on a neighboring property and has gotten himself in a real mess (using a rental of course). It was just mud at first, but has been raining heavy for the last few days - now more of a soup. These shots were taken yesterday evening.

I've watched some excavator recovery videos and know that this will be a real pain to get out (and it's on the back of the property). I'm curious of a couple things. At what level does the water and mud have to be to ruin things- electronics, engine, etc.? And will it, or should it still start in this depth of mud and water? They'll clearly have to wait a while for it to dry out to get in there.

Thanks!
Jim

 

[BigWrench55]

First thing that should be done is to disconnect the batteries until it's safe to move. Not knowing what the surrounding ground is like it's hard to say how hard it will be to recover. If the fan side of the engine is out of the muck then you are in good shape. If not then more caution will need to take place. Renting another excavator is probably in order to help with the recovery. Either way it's going to cost. Hopefully there is insurance.

 

[Jimmy23]

Yeah- I'm certain this guy just walked away without disconnecting anything. As you seen in pic 1, it's leaning to the left (facing the back). I'm not sure which side the fan's on. I can't imagine trying to get this out without it running. I believe it's a 350G.

 

[BigWrench55]

$$$$$!

 

[Jimmy23]

Correction- hard to see the numbers on the side, but I believe its a 210G.

 

[crane operator]

This is a good video of a recovery. This guy has a good set of mats and knows how to use them.

If the excavator is not running its a whole lot harder.

 

[Jimmy23]

Thanks-- yes, I'd actually seen that a while back (Youtube must have seen the future when they suggested it). That one in the video does appear to be stuck worse and they got it out. The one near me appears to have more water around the machine, but I think it drains fairly well. Based on what I've seen, the battery box must be under water. Yeah- this guy near me should certainly have had some mats.

 

[Vetech63]

IDE like to know how this happens? I’m not even a operator.....I just don’t see myself getting in this position.

 

[crane operator]

.I just don’t see myself getting in this position.

That's what she said.


But really. Its a rental- so you hope they got the extra insurance to go with their skill set.

I think they get in soft and think its going to get better. And it doesn't and the bottom falls out, then you don't have anything good and hard to push on with the bucket to work your way out. Work it back and forth and it just goes in deeper. And there it is. And the insurance company pays out to deere or the rental house, and our insurance rates go up.

 

[BigWrench55]

One would think when renting a 200K machine. That you wouldn't want to take unnecessary risks that you would be responsible for.

 

[BigWrench55]

Not to mention that the rental fee is still being charged whether it's stuck or not.

 

[Welder Dave]

Maybe a couple D9G's with winches could get it out.

Highway Thru Hell: Bog Rescue - YouTube

 

[Jimmy23]

That's what she said.


But really. Its a rental- so you hope they got the extra insurance to go with their skill set.

I think they get in soft and think its going to get better. And it doesn't and the bottom falls out, then you don't have anything good and hard to push on with the bucket to work your way out. Work it back and forth and it just goes in deeper. And there it is. And the insurance company pays out to deere or the rental house, and our insurance rates go up.

I'll just put it like this-- this guy isn't the type to worry about the outcome. I doubt he got the extra insurance either.

 

[Midnightmoon]

I dont think you can rent equipment bbn like that from any rental place without 1million in coverage. At least that's the way the rental company i worked at worked. Joe homeowner couldn't walk in and wave insurance like you do at uhaul. If it was me i would have rented a ditch pump and start pumping. But then again i wouldnt be in that position

 

[mks]

Hopefully you can get some recovery pictures

 

[CM1995]

I dont think you can rent equipment bbn like that from any rental place without 1million in coverage. At least that's the way the rental company i worked at worked. Joe homeowner couldn't walk in and wave insurance like you do at uhaul.

Same in my area for all rental companies renting a 320 sized machine. Most will not rent to individuals, only companies that have either have their own rental insurance or purchase the rental company's insurance.

 

[Welder Dave]

Most rentals you need contractors insurance but I don't know if that includes damage to the machine from getting stuck or abusing the machine. There might be a separate policy for that that's optional. Not much different if the stick cylinder got bent from pounding the bucket trying to break concrete.

 

[JD955SC]

One would think when renting a 200K machine. That you wouldn't want to take unnecessary risks that you would be responsible for.

The amount of machines we get back just flat tore to hell proves what should be common sense isn’t. I’ve seen excavators come back every door ripped off, handrails and steps wiped off, hyd and fuel tanks caved in (all on one machine), wheel loaders come in with all fenders and steps completely torn off and hard lines sprung, cab glass all smashed, etc.

It’s terrible to do body work on this stuff especially when you can’t replace panels and frame parts because they are permanently affixed to the machine.

 

[skyking1]

I used to go in to United rentals and get whatever I wanted. I'd mention Olson Brothers or whoever I had last rented equipment from them for. Now I would ask the boss and put it on the company insurance. Too many people have screwed up too much equipment over the years.
Regarding that hoe, the fan is in the soup. Dragging it into the radiator and coolers would not be bonus, so they need to de-water and get another machine in there with mats to assist. I wouldn't try starting it till it was at least below the doors.

 

[Jimmy23]

Same in my area for all rental companies renting a 320 sized machine. Most will not rent to individuals, only companies that have either have their own rental insurance or purchase the rental company's insurance.

I believe this is a 210G. Do you think that would make a difference in insurance requirements? It does make sense though. I wouldn't rent one to someone without insurance.