new test for backhoe certification

[Lewis Ehrhardt]

interesting demonstration of backhoe skills for those interested

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=RobaJKGMMiE (http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=RobaJKGMMiE)>

[Don Orr]

I've seen this before and can only say this just ain't right. :eek: That guy in the cab has some seriuos skills and guts. I want to see the second part where he comes down!

[Ron Jones near Indy]

Wow! Very serious skills and nerves for the operator. Also a total lack of common sense. I too would like to see the trip down.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

While the guy is very skilled, watch the video again and pay attention to the "pin" on the side of the "bucket" at minute 4:40....when he gets the bucket in position at the second level. It appears to my eyes that a small pin comes out from the "bucket" into the hole in the bracket of the derrick and thus locks it to the derrick.

After watching it a second time....the top of the "bucket" goes behind a flange on the derrick and the pin at the bottom of the bucket prevents the bucket from releasing from the derrick.

Meanwhile the top of the track is trapped under a bracket and bottom of the track is resting on a bracket so that the track is trapped and held by the weight of the backhoe leaning backwards.

The guys skill is being able to guide this backhoe into those specific places with ease and quickly. Pretty neat.

[Van Huskey]

Pretty cool.

[Perry Holbrook]

By the Way, that is an excavator, not a back hoe.

Perry

[Jason Roehl]

If you look close, the tracks are not trapped--there is a hydraulic hook (or two) between the tracks that engage a bar on the tower to secure the excavator while the operator moves the arm up to the next position.

[Jason Roehl]

I thought this one was more impressive:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2Bh-Lh9nqQ

(Rated PG)

[Perry Holbrook]

No knock on Liebherr, they make fine equipment, but that is a special built machine just for this stunt. I'm sure the counterweight is just heavy enough so it will not tip forward, the cab and engine compartment is shorter than normal, the cylinders are on the bottom not the top of the boom, etc. In other words, as light and short as possible. Cost millions to do this but is a great marketing effort.

Perry