questions for renting a Cat mini-ex

[rus_geek]

I'm choosing between a 301.8C or a 303C CR. The 301.8 is big enough for the little egress window hole I need to dig, but I'm wondering about lift capacity for setting things in the hole, or lifting things out of the hole. I can find lots of specs, including "digging forces" but I can't find any indication of how much weight I can lift chained to the bucket. I'm sure either one will be able lift the plate compactor in/out of the hole. What I'm really wondering about is the concrete we'll be cutting out of the poured wall. The lift ability of the hoe will determine how many pieces i need to break the concrete into before getting it out of the hole . . .

Anyone familiar with these machines, or know how I can figure it from the digging forces?

-rus-

 

[yankeerider]

With a bit of searching you may be able to find the lift specs on the net, maybe at the Cat site. I own a 303C CR, and the manual provides lift capacities directly. Capacity depends on a number of factors, including reach (how far extended the boom is), height of lift, and whether you are lifting over the side or from the front. Side lifts are limited by tipping loads, while front lifts are lmited by hydraulic capability.

As a (very) round number, a 303C Cr can lift about 3000 lbs at ground level over the front.

 

[PILOON]

The fact is that you can move bigger/heavier than the bucket can lift.
With the bucket teeth you simply grab and flip pulling the concrete slabs towards you.

For biger chunks that will not fit the bucket, you kinda pull in tight against the blade and carefully lift the blade and bucket at the same time and drive off to dump the chunk.

If you are loading a truck or trailer you will want to have some chain handy for those larger slab pieces.

The closer in you keep the bucket load the heavier you can lift.
Always keep you hand on the "dump valve" and if you feel the machine getting tippy, drop the stick!

With the grader blade down firmly in front, and stick close in, you can lift quite a bit of weight, actually up to the rated hydraulic pressure, I'd say. (probably about 3000 lbs.)

Best and safest is to always have the blade firmly down and facing the work area.

 

[rus_geek]

Thanks for the quick tips! Regarding dragging/scooting the concrete where it needs to go - I have to get it out of a six-foot deep hole first

A little bit longer with google and I was able to come with the "specalog" for each of these machines. While teh 301.8 has enough lift to get the block picked up, I wouldn't be able to swing to the side with it without tipping over. Also looking at the movement radii, I think the 303 is a more appropriately sized machine. I only need to dig six feet deep, but the main hole will be almost eleven feet by seven feet long/wide. With the extra reach of the 303, I can do more digging with less moving around.

-rus-

 

[scoutcub]

Hey Rus -
did you complete this project yet? I just read it, and have done the same thing myself, actually put an egress "door" in, I like it better than a window. Main point being, I leveled off the area behind the door, pushed the concrete slab outwards, leveled it, and used it as a base for stairs.....worked out fantastic. You might be using the ladder setup, but just food for thought.....good luck!