Mirror

Was looking at some pic's of Kubota excavators on the other side of the world [KX91-3] and noticed that some had two exterior mirrors,long rectangular. The mirrors are mounted close to the top of the corner posts of the cab. Most of the mini's I see around here have none. Now when you get into the large machines most have at least one. So the question is should you have them,are they needed and will you have to buy them by the six pack. The backhoes have a large inside mirror but due to fold up window on the excavators that wouldn't work. My opinion is nice to have but might take a few hits. But I have never had them on to know if it's a problem :beatsme .Any mirror experts out there

I like having mirrors so I can see what's going on around me. I've caught people walking up behind me in the danger zone and they would've surprised me if I hadn't seen them approaching in a mirror. I don't imagine mirrors mounted high on the front posts would be in too much danger, but I'm sure one would bite the dust on occassion.

Originally posted by DKinWA
I like having mirrors so I can see what's going on around me. I've caught people walking up behind me in the danger zone and they would've surprised me if I hadn't seen them approaching in a mirror. I don't imagine mirrors mounted high on the front posts would be in too much danger, but I'm sure one would bite the dust on occassion.

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How about the type of mirror that you have on your machine. I am thinking it has to be maybe a rubber mount so as to cut down on vibration:beatsme or is that not a issue?

On small machines, I don't notice vibration being a problem. I found a picture of a cat 304.5 with a mount I was going to try to describe.
Mirrors on grab rails There a little tough to see, but they are there.
I think these would hold up well as long as the bolts were left a little loose so the mirror would swivel if you hit something. This is a pretty common way to mount mirrors, but I've seen others. If I find examples of other mounts I'll post links later.

Hey Nobull,
I have the factory mirror on my Gehl 362. On the rare ocassion that I tap a tree with the mirror, it just folds out of harms way. No vibration problems.
It is pretty sturdy. I was letting my buddy try out the excavator next to his new steel building. He got to close and rubbed the mirror against the siding. The siding dented but the mirror didn't.
Charlie

Our large excavators all have mirrors, I like having them because you can see better behind you (not directly behind you) and to the side. That way you don't have to get up and peak outside or take 10 minutes trying to maneuver around in the cab looking behind you. They do stick out quite a ways and the drivers hate them, they stick out far enough on the trailer that they can get smacked off. But I think they're good to have, not neccessary on the smaller units though like a KX91 or 121. You can see in the picture the mirror is bent out.

Blake
WA

if u cant see my eyes i cant see u

I have mirrors on my KX41-3.

There is no noticeable vibration and they are mounted on soild steel 'arms', the mirror backs are soild plastic.

The mirrors swivel most ways so if you do hit something they usually move out of the way (I try not to hit them, obviously!!!!)

They are useful when reversing in tight spaces as you can position them to show the bottom of the counterweights which would usually be hard to see due to the engine e.t.c. plus you don't have to twist round to look.

Keeping them clean is the only minor issue but then again they don't need to be sparkling to be useful!!

How about a couple of pictures.

nobull1 said:

how about a couple of pictures.

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Komatsu PC27-MR2

I put on a couple small stick on concave 'fish eye' type mirrors on my kx121. I may have to move them down a bit or go the next size up but they are out of the way and give me a bit of rear view. I do a lot of bushwacking in thick willows/spruce/aspen so external mirrors would have a short live. Even folding ones I think.

What I really wish there were was on my machine were a light that shown in the rear. They should be mandatory. It's really hard to see anything behind me at night unless I swing. I'm gonna hook up a couple small halogen type fog lights for this fall to light up the rear and sides. Bonus up here though is the 24 hr daylight in summer. Don't need any lights.

mdigger Well said "if u cant see my eyes i cant see u". It was the best advice I ever heard as a kid and I tell everyone that too. I should get it as counterweight sticker.

Here are some pics from the KX41-3 (better late than never!!)