view from the cab
VERSATILE MECALAC 10MCR IMPRESSES D A BISHOP CONTRACTORS If there’s a single word to describe the Mecalac MCR crawler excavator it has to be ‘versatile.’ Lifting, laying, moving, unloading, storing... whatever you need to accomplish, whatever the challenge, the MCR sets the pace and makes execution easy.
The company, established by Matt’s father in 1974, is heavily involved in general contracting, land drainage, excavation and agricultural projects, so versatility, durability and reliability of equipment are essential ingredients in its continuing success and growth.
Well, that’s what the manufacturer claims, adding, it’s capable of working side-by-side with trucks, or carrying a pallet loaded with material and laying it to rest on the other side of a wall, or even next to the machine itself, whatever you need. But is that really the case? Plant & Civil Engineer’s David Stokes recently caught up with Matt Bishop who acquired a new Mecalac 10MCR a few months ago for the family business base at Welshpool in Wales to find out what his ‘view from the cab’ is.
“The Mecalac is essentially two machines in one; nothing else comes close to its flexibility, in my opinion. You can’t really compare it to other excavators; it’s just on a different level when it comes to versatility.”
Matt didn’t have many reservations when it came to adding the 10MCR to the company’s growing fleet of mixed machinery; it already operates an 8MCR, and has done so since November 2017. “The 8MCR hasn’t disappointed, and neither has the new 10 tonne addition,” says Matt. “It really is a fantastic machine. Very flexible, very versatile.”
Thanks to a simple selector-switch, you can turn this compact excavator into a compact loader and then back again, using the same commands. Familiarisation is instant in the single mode of operation thanks to grouped functions and the transformation into loader mode using the control level. Loading efficiency is maximised, thanks to the skid bucket being supported on the blade which increases the machine’s efficiency as the force of the thrust is transmitted directly from the chassis to the bucket. The operation is performed more accurately
using the control lever; the patented Mecalac cylinder coupling function allows you to synchronise the boom cylinders for perfect movement coordination and precision. It makes driving and handling easy, regardless of whether the operator is a novice or more experienced. The Mecalac “CONNECT” hydraulic quick coupler system means that attachments can be changed in just a few seconds, without having to get down from the cab. Designed to work in both directions, the loss of an attachment is virtually impossible, during the locking or when working in excavator mode or in loader mode. It’s been described as the safest and best performing quick coupler system on the market.
Compact Cab The 10MCR features a compact cab offering excellent comfort and allround visibility, essential when working on busy or challenging projects. The rear hood lines of the machine have obviously been carefully studied by
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PLANT & CIVIL ENGINEER
