“This Thing is Awesome”: Review of Mecalac’s 8MCR Skid-Excavator
Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары
Mecalac’s 8MCR combination “crawler skid-excavator” has a new fan in Bryan Furnace, an operator and the host of The Dirt.
“This thing is awesome,” he says on this episode, which you can click on above.
Not only that, he adds, it has the potential to “totally revolutionize the 8-ton excavator market.”
Bryan spent a day in Mecalac’s 8MCR putting it through its paces and found himself amazed at its versatility.
It operates well as both a skid steer and an excavator, and it gives operators so many choices for handling different conditions and tasks that he wonders why anyone would choose a traditional 8-ton excavator after trying out this model.
Pluses include its quick speed, tiny footprint and flexible boom. Unlike a traditional excavator, you don’t have to move it around as much for digging and unloading and other tasks. You can also use its “mammoth” skid steer bucket for digging, or you can switch over to a regular bucket.
But it also performs well as a skid steer for grading, loading and unloading, and running attachments to the point that Bryan believes you’d leave your traditional skid steer in the yard a majority of the time.
To find out more about why Bryan believes the 8MCR has “the potential to change the industry” - and watch him operate it - check out this episode of The Dirt.
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00:00 - Can the 8MCR Change the Industry?
00:24 - Mecalac 8MCR Overview
01:27 - Skid Steer Mode
05:11 - Excavator Mode
10:36 - In-Cab Operation
14:05 - Maintenance
16:21 - Room for Improvement
17:51 - 8MCR Final Verdict
Video Transcript:
Bryan Furnace:
Today we're talking about the MECALAC 8MCR. I actually had a chance to run several machines in the MECALAC line, but the one that really stuck out to me with its potential to change the industry is the 8MCR.
If you come into the job site thinking this is going to act just like an excavator, you're probably going to be a little disappointed simply because it's not an excavator because guess what? This is a combination machine. This is an excavator and a skid steer in one and nine times out of 10 when you have a combination machine, that generally means it does both of its jobs, very, very mediocre and doesn't really excel at anything. The 8MCR is the total opposite. I would say it can do 85 to 90% of everything an excavator or a skid steer can do, and then it can do a ton of extra stuff that you would never dream of doing in a skid steer or a mid-size excavator.
For instance, because of the way you can configure this boom, you can take it straight up in the air with the bucket turned around and you can have a wheelbarrow that will go two to three stories tall. Now, what's really cool about the fact that you can use it as a skid steer is you can zip around in this machine. While it looks like a midsize excavator, it tracks along at the speed of a CTL and that's quick. It is shockingly quick when you get in this thing for the first time.
Skid steer mode is probably the least used mode on this machine. While it's super convenient for pick and carry operations like shuttling material across your job site and things like that, you lose a lot of your functionality because you can't really use it as an excavator almost. You can still use it as an excavator to some degree. While you're in skid steer mode, your controls are going to work like a skid steer. Your left hand is going to be for the movement of the machine, so forward, reverse and left to right. Your right-hand joystick is going to be boom up, boom down, and then bucket curl and uncurl. Outside of the funkiness that you're running what appears to be an excavator, it really doesn't take you long to mentally flip over into true skid steer mode and you just start running it like a skid steer.
I was shocked at how well this machine graded in skid steer mode to the point that I was very quickly able to put down a nice finished grade like I would an RTV 450 skid that we use on our job site every day. It was very intuitive to use and because of the boom configuration, the interesting thing is you get to pick which section of the boom the machine uses to raise and lower the bucket, which means for the first time you can have a radio lift and a vertical lift skid steer in one package. That's pretty unique and it's going to take some experimentation before I really kind of wrap my head around all the ways we could use this, but in theory you could absolutely use one boom section for your vertical lift to do all of your augering for holes or maybe you're in a tight space and you need to go straight...
Пікірлер: 46
It's already been proven that it out digs a standard 8t excavator. This is what we're buying, already got quotes. Thx for the review vid!
You did a great job exsplain the 8mcr I had owed 2 6mcr with I totaly ran them for about 2500hrs and the 6mcr was my fist time been in a Mecalac and this is were I learn from you need time on the mecalac to learn all the tricks and a minimum of 200hrs . Everyday running a Macalac it supprice you becouse things you can do that no other machine cannot do. I also owed the 8mcr wich I put 1800hrs to it the 8mcr is more strong then the 6mcr I ran road zipper milling machine 24" trances and is 8hrs day only me and the 8mcr I would dig a 5 foot deep trance in the roads thrue undergraund utilities install 12 pieces of pipes 8" on diameter 18' long back fill and pave all from the same seat the same cab same machine. Now I am no longer into track machine becouse I discovery what the wheel Mecalac excavator do I happy owen a 7MWR and a 9MWR wich bolt I put about 2500hrs each I tell you the 9mwr replaces anything out there from mini excavators up to a 14 ton excavator skid steers loaders anything it come accros on job site other operator stop and the just wach and they are amazied to see what one man and one mecalac can do. This is Nino Foti.
@mikeutubename
2 ай бұрын
Any limitations going from tracks to wheels? I'm looking at buying one
@youngmike8645
2 ай бұрын
@@mikeutubenamemud?
@mikeutubename
2 ай бұрын
@youngmike8645 yes. Landscape construction
While you are turning, you can use the speed control on the joystick to switch between "hare" or "tortoise". This controls the displacement of the pump for either Max torque or Max speed. This can alleviate some of the turning issue you described and is quite intuitive once you get used to it.
@MENDEZMANNY01
Жыл бұрын
Who are you that is so wise in the ways of Mecalac. 🤣
I suspect the MWR series is going to be a game changer for do-it-all single man operations, farm service workers, and especially for the townies who road their equipment everywhere then work in really tight spaces.
@w8stral
4 ай бұрын
Actually: For that scenario, the wheeled version would be superior(can also drive to the job site), no trailer required.
@jackjmaheriii
4 ай бұрын
The MWR is the wheeled version.
@w8stral
4 ай бұрын
Then yes, I agree whole heartedly with your statement =). Got me on their nomenclature. Just thought you were talking the track as that was shown in vid. @@jackjmaheriii
Great job.
It would be good in a wood yard with a rotating grapple.
A 2023 6 MCR with low hours sell for $130,000. Reminds me of a Broyt front shovel…
Greaat video. I do see a market for these machines. However, traditional landscaping companys usually have newbie operators, leaving this machine to be to complicated to operate. This also has a ton more wear points leading to higher up keep costs and daily maintenance to be higher costing. Like i said, I definetly see a market for these, however I dont see this type of machine ever over taking skid steers or mini excavators.
@w8stral
4 ай бұрын
Well, everyone has to learn. You put newbies on OLD machines, never new, so honestly I do not see your point being a problem. Yes, upfront costs are a major problem if you buy new. But if you buy used and replace the hoses/pins yourself... well, take it to the bank. Only REAL problem are engine parts as this is FRENCHie... Nothing special about a skid steer and they still cost an arm and a leg and even though they have known problems manufacturers still do not fix them for assembly line cost reasons so... When new designs do come along that have the bugs worked out... time to jump onboard. Design is about 20 years old now. So, not exactly "new", just new to North America.
Good information
Couldn't agree more. I had a play on one here in Perth Western Australia absolute brilliant machine . Hence why I'm in the process of buying one.
I love my mecalac you need to try the mc15 it's insane
I've owned a 8mcr for years now and the door latch has never hurt my hand. Maybe that one needed to be adjusted. There is also a door release lever on the bar above the push button.
This has been one of the best reviews by anyone that I have seen , very in depth some points that I feel a good operator of the MCR 8 or 6 would of held you see exceptionally good vision front and back , Low ceiling , massive breakout force, the door releases on the top trigger in the grab bar of the door , the swing part of the boom is meant to enable you to dig outside of the machine foot print ie. over a traffic barrier , only manitou to be capable of a 9ft negative lift , can manitou over 6ft of fence In my opinion these machines are only for exceptional operators the driver’s will struggle and say that a CTL and digger combo is better I Currently have about 6k000+hrs in the MCR platform , current machines are MCR8 MCR6 kx91-3 TX925 I could never go back to any combination of CTL and Excavator , you would need 3-4 machines to do what this MCR is capable of
Do you think its Worth the Additional Cost compared to a Standard 8 Ton Machine ??????
@jeffsif5653
3 ай бұрын
Well you cant charge anymore than an 8 t ex. It depends wat work u doing . Dont get me wrong its an awesome machine .
Want (great video)
Does anyone know the price of these machines?
Can it accept skid steer style attachments easily? (i.e. forestry mulcher/grapple/post hole digger/brush cutter etc.)
@Rush47.
8 ай бұрын
Thats up on you how long you need to learn about a product to accept it. :)
@matthewp1682
Ай бұрын
No, it has a excavator style coupler and mot a skid steer style plate attachment
@Bigmantrials
Ай бұрын
Yes it can, there is a factory skid adapter plate, its very popular in the USA.
It seems like a great machine. Time will tell. Not just on the versatility but how well it lasts. Let's be honest, it's French. All those electro hydraulic controls, could be a nightmare to troubleshoot and repair. Not to mention the cost.
a company was burying lines in my town they switched a wheeled excavator for a mecalac mid-job the following day i watched the operator struggling to warp his head around the fact the he had to use it differently..
So It IS AN Excavator !!!😆
i want one so bad slow track speed is killing me
Only problem with that machine land clearing is all the vulnerable hoses up top.
@ryancarter7644
Жыл бұрын
There are many, many of these working with mulching heads, root rake grapples, etc. in land clearing without issue.
@stevencolbert2304
Жыл бұрын
@@ryancarter7644 That's great. I'm sure there are. Doesn't change anything about my statement.
Did you buy one?
I came so close to buying a 6mcr and went with the JCB Teleskid at the last minute. The two factors that made the difference -all that versatility comes with a steep learning curve in terms if controls. My guys cant just jump in and go. If i were buying my own machine, itd be a no brainer! -lift height. We build a specific rental house where a lift height of 12'6" is a absolute must. Would need go with the 8mcr to achieve it. Still such an absolutely awesome machine! Maybe ill trade in as we grow and pick one up 😊
These Mecalacs are badads! Too bad they're as expensive as a ctl and mini ex combined.
Its Gotta Be a CONTRACTORS Machine !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!- Customers will not pay an Appropriate Viable Hourly Rate !!!!!!! - Contract Price Jobs Only
@bostonconstruct
8 ай бұрын
Just go slow and don't go too fast!
@jameslindley924
8 ай бұрын
@@bostonconstruct I cant slow time - its disingenuos and boring
Cost and wight
BUT !!!!!!!!!!!! The Price is Doo Lally
Just something fancy to get rental owners who are drunk at trade shows to buy it still just a excavator at the end of the day with a hydraulic attachment to turn it into a little skid steer
смотрится очень выигрышно по отношению к классике