Was up at a UK coal opencast site in Northumberland the other day taking some photos and came across a nice O&K RH170 working. I've never seen one of these and wondered how many of these are at work in the UK? I have seen several RH120's and a couple of RH200's but not a RH170!

Anyone else seen one of these beasts?

Regards

Mike D550

Hi Mike,I looked it up in a book "HYDRAULIC EXCAVATORS-THE UK'S LARGEST UNITS" by Rob Sinclair and it is the only one in the UK. It came from the Bauma exhibition in Germany in 1995 and was the first production RH170. It weighs 340 tonnes and is powered by two V12 Cummins engines providing a total 1662 hp. Tim

Cheers tim, i had seen a pic of a RH170 in the RJB livery and was not sure if it was the same machine! It looked in good condition for its age and sounded awsome Like a right amateur i left my digital camera at home and need to wait until i use up the remaining 35mm film in my SLR before i can see the pics of this rare machine!

Regards

Mike D550

Mike,
No need to wait to have your film developed


Paul
http://www.heavyhaulagephotos.moonfruit.com

Excellent pics as usual Argie , the old girl must have a few hours on her now if she started working in 1995, they seem to work em hard in the opencast mines. Were these pics taken down your neck of the woods?

I am desperate to get back up there while i've some time on my hands but the typical British weather is preventing me from doing so!


Regards

Mike D550

It looks new there.Good pic.

Here is another shot of the RH170.

Ah Ha the Infamous RH-170. The first RH-170 ever made ... Full PMS control on this puppy.

The only one in the Country ... Just shows what kind of pull RJ Budge use to have.

Never had a chance to drive this machine ... Would have been sweet!

More Pics would be appreciated.

I read somewhere but could be wrong, but the RH170 started out in a Welsh occs called Llanilid west on a land reclamation and then moved up North when UK coal took over RJB. I am probably wrong in what I just said, but it would be nice if someone could tell me if it's true or not.

renaultman you are indeed correct, this was the first 170 ever made, serial no is 70001, loading 785s on the steadsburn extenstion. as for hours the engines both have around 35,000 on.